The Belgian Shepherd Dog (also known as the Belgian Sheepdog or Chien de Berger Belge) is a breed of medium-to-large-sized dog.
It is a member of the Herding Group. It originated in Belgium and is similar to other sheep herding dogs from that region, including the Dutch Shepherd Dog, the German Shepherd Dog, the Briard and others.
Four types have been identified by various registries as separate breeds or varieties: Groenendael, Laekenois, Tervuren, and Malinois. All are registered as a herding dog, more specifically a sheep dog.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes only the Groenendael under the name “Belgian Sheepdog“, but also recognizes the Tervueren (with the alternative spelling “Tervuren”) and the Malinois as individual breeds. The Laekenois can be registered as part of the AKC foundation stock service and should eventually be recognised fully by the AKC.
The first mention of Belgian shepherd dogs and a first standard appear between 1891 en 1897.
As the Belgian shepherd breeds were merely poor man’s working dogs, little effort had been done at the time to research and write down the individual breeds’ origin.
Wary, neither timid, nervous nor aggressive.












