About The Belgian Laekenois Shepherd Dog

Canadian Champion Haicha v. Ijsselvliedt
(Call name "Aicha")

In Canada the variety is known as the Laeken.   In Belgium it is known as Berger Belge Laekenois.  In Holland it is called Belgische Herder Laekense.  Outside of Belgium and Holland the Laeken is found only in very small numbers.

The Laeken is considered the oldest of the four varieties of Belgian Shepherd Dogs. The Bouvier and Dutch Shepherd also trace their pedigrees back to the fawn wire-haired shepherd dog, Vos I de Laeken, who was born in 1885. At that time the Laekens were used for herding and protection. They proved to be excellent guards for the flax fields of Flanders. One of the early Belgian breeders used to graze his flock of sheep in the Brussels area, on the grounds of the Chateau de Laeken. His shepherd dogs had rough, wiry coats and were admired by Queen Marie Henriette. They became the favorite of the Queen and were given the name, Laeken, after the castle.

In the late 1800's the shepherds came together and began breeding only dogs with the same coat textures together. A breed standard was drawn up and in the early 1900's the Belgian Dog Registry, Societe Royale Saint - Hubert, officially recognised the Chien de Berger Belge as a breed with four varieties; Groenendael, Laekenois, Malinois, and Tervuren. Each of the varieties were named after the villages or areas where most of the original breeders lived.

The Laeken was used by the police, and the army in WW I and WW II along with the other three varieties. Today the Laeken still shows its versatility. It is a tireless worker as a police dog, home protector, and has generally maintained its herding instinct.

It has lost popularity in this century, having an unkempt appearance, and health problems occurring more frequently. But there is now an international concern for the Laeken and breeders are working together more to save it. They are becoming fully aware of the value of testing all breeding stock for good hips, elbows and eyes. Not all of the breeders are having the elbows and eyes evaluated but it is improving each year. Size has been of concern with many not maturing to even the minimum height as set out in the standard indicating the breedings are getting too close. The small gene pool has been helped in recent years with the addition of the Malinois variety to some of the bloodlines.

The Laeken is a high-energy, high-drive breed, especially suited to working. There are exceptions in every breed but the Laeken, in general, is for the experienced dog owner, they are not suitable for the novice or first time dog owner. They are very intelligent and agile. They must have both mind and body exercised daily. They thrive on activity and owners must give the Laeken plenty of their time. They are very devoted, loyal, and protective of their families. Training must begin early and firm guidance given. They tend to be overactive and a little short on their attention span up to about the age of 2 years, then they become more settled and calmer in going about whatever is asked of them. Full maturity is reached by the age of 3 years. Until then they just might drive you crazy trying to channel their energy in a positive direction!