13 Things to Know Before Getting a Belgian Laekenois

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Belgian Laekenois is an excellent working or family dog. However, before bringing one home, you must understand their unique personality traits, exercise requirements, and potential health issues.

In this article, I will discuss 13 things you should know before making that life-changing decision!

Belgian Laekenois is a rare breed of dog.

This dog originates from Belgium and is the least common among the four Belgian Shepherd breeds. These dogs were often bred for their working ability rather than their appearance.

As a result, there was much variation between the four until such time that breeders in the area standardized and identified the four distinct breeds of Belgian Shepherd. They were named after the place they are commonly found, hence Laekenois.

Only a few hundred Belgian Laekenois are registered in the United States, while it also remains relatively rare in Belgium, with only around 100 new puppies registered yearly. The breed's rarity is partly due to its unique appearance and the fact that it is not as well-known as some of the other Belgian Shepherd breeds.

Speaking of appearance, the Belgian Laekenois belongs to the medium-size category. They have a wiry, curly coat. Their color range from fawn and red to mahogany. The breed is known for its strong and muscular build.

This breed requires regular grooming and trimming.

The Belgian Laekenois has a dense, wiry undercoat and a harsh, curly topcoat that can grow up to three inches long. Their unique coat is one of their distinguishing features. However, they may require professional grooming every few months to keep their coat healthy and in good condition.

One of the challenges of maintaining the Belgian Laekenois coat is it is prone to matting and tangling. You must brush and comb their coats daily to remove tangles and mats. When left unattended, mats can become painful for the dog, leading to skin irritation and infection.

You must also trim their hair to maintain a neat and tidy appearance. The hair around their ears and eyes should be trimmed regularly to prevent them from becoming matted or blocking the dog's vision.

The grooming needs of this breed can be time-consuming. You must consider these things carefully before bringing this dog home. If you are willing to commit to the grooming needs of this breed, however, you will be rewarded with a beautiful and unique dog that is sure to turn heads wherever you go.

Belgian Laekenois is a highly intelligent breed.

This highly intelligent breed is known for its versatility and trainability. Belgian Laekenois are quick learners, making them well-suited for various activities such as:

obedience
agility
and tracking.

Because of their intelligence, these dogs also require regular mental and physical stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behavior. It's worth noting that intelligence can vary from dog to dog, and it's crucial to provide your Belgian Laekenois with appropriate training and socialization to help them reach their full potential.

They require consistent training and socialization.

Since Belgian Laekenois are brilliant and active dogs, they require consistent training and socialization for several reasons:

Obedience and good behavior.

Aside from being highly trainable, these dogs strongly desire to please their owner. You should provide consistent training as soon as you bring them home. Teach them basic obedience so that they grow up as well-behaved pets.

Exposure

Belgian Laekenois are so protective of their owners and territory. This can be adorable at first but can also lead to aggression and hostility towards strangers and other pets.

Exposing your dog to various people, animals, and situations in a positive and controlled manner will teach it to behave appropriately and not react aggressively.

When is the best time to start socializing your dog?

I recommend starting socialization early in a dog's life, ideally between 3-14 weeks, to ensure they develop good social skills.

Exercise and mental stimulation

Consistent training sessions can provide mental stimulation and a chance for the dog to use up some of their excess energy. Socialization can also mentally stimulate the dog as they encounter new people, animals, and situations.

Bonding

Consistent training and socialization can help build a strong bond between you. This bond also builds trust, communication, and cooperation. When your dogs trust and respect you, they are more likely to obey your commands and behave appropriately.

These dogs are highly energetic.

Belgian Laekenois is a highly energetic breed for several reasons, including the following:

History

As mentioned above, they were used for herding and guarding. Thus, they are also bred to have the energy level and the stamina to keep up with the demands of their job.

Natural instincts

Their natural instinct to herd and protect requires them to be highly active and alert. They have a strong prey drive and are always looking for potential threats, which can manifest as high energy levels.

Personality and temperament

Belgian Laekenois are known to be active and curious dogs that enjoy exploring their environment. They are always eager to play and engage in physical activity.

Exercise requirements

Belgian Laekenois require a lot of exercises to stay healthy and happy. They need physical and mental stimulation to prevent destructive behavior. A lack of exercise can lead to behavioral issues such as chewing, digging, and excessive barking.

You must provide them plenty of exercise and mental stimulation opportunities to promote good behavior. It can be through daily walks, runs, outdoor activities, and play.

Belgian Laekenois are excellent watchdogs.

These dogs are naturally alert and vigilant. They have a very strong sense of awareness. They are instinctively always on the lookout for any possible threats.

Belgian Laekenois can quickly notice any unusual movements or sounds in their surroundings. These traits make them good at detecting any intruders on your property.

Their strong protective instinct also makes them highly loyal to their owners and property. They are not the type of dog that backs down; instead, they will not hesitate to defend their home and family.

Their intelligence can also contribute to this because it allows them to distinguish between normal and threatening situations and respond appropriately.

The Belgian Laekenois are also very confident dogs that are not easily intimidated. However, they can easily intimidate strangers, which can also help scare potential intruders.

This breed can be reserved with strangers.

Belgian Laekenois are reserved with strangers due to their protective instincts and natural suspicion of unfamiliar people. They are naturally inclined to protect their owners and territory due to their herding and guarding backgrounds.

To manage this tendency, you can do the following:

early socialization
obedience training
positive reinforcement
positive association with new people and situations
controlled exposure
and seek professional help.

Belgian Laekenois requires an experienced owner.

While this breed can be excellent pets for the right person, they are not recommended for novice dog owners for several reasons:

Intelligence and Energy Level. They are brilliant and active, requiring experienced owners to manage them properly.
Exercise Needs. Novice owners may struggle to meet their exercise needs, leading to behavioral problems.
Training. They need a confident and assertive owner who can provide consistent training and guidance. Novice owners may have difficulty asserting themselves as the pack leader, leading to a poorly behaved dog.
Strong Prey Drive. Belgian Laekenois has a strong prey drive, making it challenging to train off-leash. Novice owners may not have the experience to manage a dog with a high prey drive, which can lead to dangerous situations.
Protective instincts. Novice owners may not have the experience to manage a dog with protective instincts, which can lead to dangerous situations.

This breed may be unsuitable for families with small children.

The Belgian Laekenois may not do well with families with very small children because of the following:

High energy level. They may become too excitable around small children and unintentionally knock, bump, or injure them.
Protective nature. This may result in aggressive behavior towards strangers or unfamiliar children; thus, supervised interactions are crucial.
Training requirements. Belgian Laekenois may become dominant or pushy if not appropriately trained, leading to unwanted behavior around children.
Grooming needs. Belgian Laekenois requires regular grooming and maintenance, which can be time-consuming and difficult for families with small children to keep up with.

Belgian Laekenois is a working breed that enjoys activities.

As a versatile working breed, Belgian Laekenois enjoys various activities that allow them to use their energy and natural instincts. Some of the activities that Belgian Laekenois enjoy include:

herding
agility
obedience training
tracking
protection sports
hiking
and outdoor activities.

This breed may be prone to specific health problems.

Like all dog breeds, Belgian Laekenois are prone to specific health problems. Some of the most common health issues that affect Belgian Laekenois include:

You must be aware of these health issues and work with a reputable breeder who conducts health testing on their breeding dogs. Regular check-ups with a veterinarian and a healthy diet and exercise routine can also help prevent or manage these health problems in your Belgian Laekenois.

Belgian Laekenois need a high-quality diet.

A high-quality diet is essential for Belgian Laekenois to:

meet their nutritional needs
support their high activity levels
promote good coat conditions
and maintain their overall health and well-being.

You better choose a diet appropriate for their age, activity level, and specific nutritional needs to ensure that they receive optimal nutrition for their needs.

Belgian Laekenois is prone to suffering separation anxiety.

Belgian Laekenois becomes anxious or distressed when left alone, leading to destructive behaviors such as excessive barking, chewing, or digging.

There are several reasons why Belgian Laekenois may be prone to separation anxiety:

They are a highly social breed and always desire companionship.
They are a high-energy breed that may become bored and anxious.
They are a protective breed that may become anxious about potential threats.

To manage separation anxiety in Belgian Laekenois, several strategies can be effective, such as:

gradual training
exercise and stimulation
desensitization
and medication.

It's important to remember that every dog is different, and what works for one dog may not work for another. Working with a professional trainer or behaviorist can help develop a personalized plan to manage the separation anxiety in your Belgian Laekenois.

In conclusion, Belgian Laekenois can be a rewarding addition to any family or working environment, but they require much attention, exercise, and training to thrive. By understanding their unique characteristics, potential health issues, and exercise needs, you can decide whether a Belgian Laekenois fits you.

If you decide that a Belgian Laekenois is a suitable dog for you, be prepared for a loyal, intelligent, and energetic companion that will bring joy and adventure to your life for years to come.