The Belgian Laekenois (pronounced “lak-in-wah”) is a herding dog whose roots originate from Belgium. An active and outgoing canine who loves to stay occupied, the Laekenois stands out from the others. Read on to learn more about the Belgian Laekenois!
1. This Breed Is from, You Guessed it, Belgium
The Belgian Laekenois, also known as the Laekense or the Chien de Berger Belge (which is also used for other Belgian Shepherds), is one of the four native herding dogs that originated from Belgium, more specifically in the town of Laeken (from which this canine is named after). It was probably developed sometime around the 19th to 20th centuries along with the other Belgian Shepherd dogs, though its origins remain rather obscure. This canine was highly favored by the Belgian Royalty, as these dogs were used to tend and herd to the farm animals they kept. Queen Marie Henriette even developed an affinity for the Belgian Laekenois, as she enjoyed watching the dogs work alongside shepherds in the pastures.
Due to this, the breed experienced a bout of popularity during her reign from 1836 to 1902.
The Laekenois, along with the other Belgian Shepherds, has suffered a population decline, ranking 195th out of the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) 201 recognized breeds.
2. They’re One of Four Belgian Shepherds
The Belgian Laekenois belongs to a group of related breeds known as the Belgian Shepherds. However, some organizations, including the AKC, divide Belgian Shepherds as individual breeds, not a singular group.
The Belgian Shepherd is made up of four types or breeds, depending on who you may ask: the Belgian Malinois, the Groenendael, the Tervuren, and finally, the Laekenois. These dogs differ in both physical appearance (mostly their coat varieties and colors) and their places of origin.
The Belgian Malinois is probably the most well-known of the group and sports a short coat that usually comes in a tan or mahogany color. The Malinois is also believed to be the oldest of the Belgian Shepherd types. The Tervuren sports a similar coloration but is differentiated by its longer fur coat. The Groenendael meanwhile also has a long coat of fur but is all black. The Laekenois, the rarest of the four breeds, stands out from the rest; it has a sandy-colored coat with a wiry texture.
3. These Dogs LIVE for Work!
Like other Belgian Shepherds, the Laekenois was bred to have a strong work ethic and lots of stamina to work in tough conditions when needed. Originally, the Laekenois was both used to wrangle and herd sheep out in the Belgian countryside.
This dog was also used to guard valuable linens in nearby towns and villages. As this breed is a fast learner and strives to work, the Laekenois’s versatility makes them a very suitable candidate for other laborious tasks. During both World Wars, this intelligent canine was even used as a messenger animal to deliver important messages.
Today, like its cousins, the Laekenois is favored for use in law enforcement and military departments, though due to its rarity, it is overshadowed by the related Belgian Malinois. The Belgian Army uses both the Laekenois and the Malinois for its operations, but you probably won’t see a Laekenois at work very often outside its home country.
4. Laekenois Is One of the Rarest Breeds
The Belgian Laekenois has come close to the brink of extinction many times. Fortunately, the Laekenois has many ethical breeders who are passionate about preserving this rare breed.
When the breed was formally recognized by the AKC in 2020, less than a dozen breeders of this cherished canine existed in the United States, and it is believed that only a thousand individual dogs exist worldwide. Because of its rarity, the Belgian Laekenois is still relatively unknown to the general public outside of Belgium.
While breeders hope to increase the Belgian Laekenois’ numbers, some fear that unscrupulous breeders may want to use these strong dogs in puppy mill operations. Inexperienced owners who get into the breed’s hype may fail to realize that the Belgian Laekenois is not for everyone due to its high energy and demanding training requirements.
5. These Dogs Can Experience Hip/Elbow Dysplasia
Like its other Belgian relatives, the Laekenois is typically a very hardy and healthy breed. As with other dogs though, one must be cognizant of the health problems that large breeds, such as the Belgian Laekenois, may experience.
One very common health issue is elbow and hip dysplasia. This occurs when your dog’s joints grow out of place and may therefore cause discomfort and limited mobility. While this can be mitigated through a management plan set up by your veterinarian, extreme cases may require surgical intervention.
Progressive retinal atrophy is another issue that dogs such as the Laekenois may develop. This occurs when your dog’s rods and cones deteriorate slowly over time, causing permanent blindness. Hypothyroidism and epilepsy are also issues that the Belgian Laekenois may get, along with skin allergies.
Heart problems can occur in this breed, and along with other issues, these problems should be screened by a trusted veterinarian annually to troubleshoot any issues that arise. If your dog shows any signs of illness, you should set up an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible.
6. Exercise Is a Must with These Dogs!
As a high-energy breed, the Belgian Laekenois needs exercise every day, with no exceptions. A simple walk around the block and letting them outside once a day will NOT suffice with this breed: this highly intelligent dog needs to be both physically and mentally stimulated and enriched. As with all dogs, a bored dog is a destructive one, especially with an energetic and smart canine like the Belgian Laekenois.
Long walks, hikes, and runs are great ways to exercise your dog, though this canine should always be kept on a leash. Exercise is not only great for your dog, but it also strengthens your bond.
Canine sports competitions are a phenomenal way to intensively work out your dog. Agility trials are one fun sport to compete in. Here, your dog has to race through an obstacle course. Such obstacles range from hurdles and tunnels to weave poles and seesaws. Being a herding dog at heart, the Belgian Laekenois is also an ideal athlete for herding competitions. Either or, be creative and have fun!
7. Grooming the Belgian Laekenois Is Critical
The Belgian Laekenois’s wiry coat must be brushed weekly to remove any debris and mats. Some owners also say that the Laekenois should have old fur stripped every six to eight months. While some people prefer doing this by hand, specific grooming tools also exist to remove such fur (do your research, as some tools may be too rough and unsuitable for a Laekenois’s coat). You can have a professional groomer do this for you if needed.
As the Laekenois has a double coat, you should NEVER shave your dog; in fact, no double-coated dog should be shaved at all. Double-coated breeds rely on their coats to properly thermoregulate, and removing this can expose your dog to temperature extremes and the elements.
As with all dogs, the Belgian Laekenois’s ears should be cleaned frequently to prevent infection. Their nails should also be trimmed every few weeks. The Belgian Laekenois is said to be susceptible to dental problems, so maintaining its hygiene by daily tooth brushing is highly recommended. Though your dog may enjoy dental chews, they should not be used as a substitute for tooth brushing.
8. These Dogs Thrive with Experienced Handlers
As if it wasn’t evident already, the Belgian Laekenois is a dog that is not suitable for first-time or otherwise inexperienced dog owners. This eccentric dog must be socialized from an early age to avoid aggression and other common problem behaviors.
Obedience training is a great way to form a trusting bond with your dog. The Laekenois should also be introduced to people and other dogs at a young age to accustom themselves to more unfamiliar faces and surroundings. While known to be affectionate with its loved ones, the Laekenois’s guarding instinct may make them prone to biting, so this must be curbed very early. Training a Laekenois requires consistency, firmness, and patience. Like all other dogs, the Laekenois responds well to positive reinforcement-based training.
Due to its rarity, sourcing a Laekenois may be very difficult as well. As there are only a handful of breeders in the United States alone, you may be placed on a wait list. Especially for a rare breed like the Laekenois, you should only obtain your dog from a reputable breeder or a rescue group.
