Belgian Laekenois

The Belgian Laekenois is the rough-coated Belgian shepherd, and much the rarest of the four varieties.

History

It takes its name from the Château de Laeken, where the Belgian royal family kept them, and it worked as a herding and guarding dog around Antwerp, traditionally guarding linen laid out to bleach in the fields. The population was badly hit by both world wars and has never recovered to the size of its relatives.

Temperament

The breed is known for being alert, protective and closely bonded to its household, watchful with strangers and steady with its own people.

Care and training

It needs substantial exercise and real work, and thorough socialising given the guarding instinct. The harsh, tousled coat needs brushing and occasional hand-stripping rather than clipping.

Health

Known tendencies match the Belgian group: hip dysplasia, epilepsy and eye conditions, with a small population as the standing caution. These are patterns for the breed rather than a forecast for one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.