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 as such is similar to other sheep herding dogs from that region: 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 the Malinois. All are registered as a herding dog, more specifically a sheep dog.

Breed creation and recognition

In the late 1800s a group of concerned dog fanciers under the guidance of Prof. A. Reul of the Cureghem Veterinary Medical School gathered foundation stock from the areas around Tervuren, Groenendael, Malines, and Laeken in Belgium. Official breed creation occurred around 1891, when the Club du Chien de Berger Belge (Belgian Shepherd Dog Club) was formed in Brussels. The first breed standard was written in 1892, but official recognition did not happen until 1901, when the Royal Saint-Hubert Society Stud Book began registering Belgian Shepherd Dogs."FCI Belgian Shepherd Dog Standard". Fédération Cynologique Internationale. 2002

By 1910, fanciers managed to eliminate the most glaring faults and standardize type and temperament. There has been continued debate about acceptable colors and coat types. Structure, temperament and working ability has never been debated in regards to the standard.

Breeds versus varieties controversy

In Belgium (the country of origin) all four types are considered to be varieties of a single breed, differentiated by hair color and texture. In some non-FCI countries and other regions, they are considered separate breeds. For instance, the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes only the Groenendael under the name "Belgian Sheepdog""AKC Belgian Sheepdog Standard". American Kennel Club. 1991, but also recognizes the Tervuren and the Malinois as individual breeds (Belgian Tervuren and Belgian Malinois respectively). The Laekenois can be registered as part of the AKC Foundation Stock Service and should eventually be recognised fully by the AKC."American Kennel Club Foundation Stock Service". American Kennel Club. 2009 In years gone past, the Groenendael and Tervuren were one breed with coat variations until the Belgian Sheepdog Club of America decided to petition the AKC to separate the two."The Division of the Belgian Shepherds into Separate Breeds by the American Kennel Club". Belgian Sheepdog Club of America

The Australian National Kennel Council and the New Zealand Kennel Club recognize all four as separate breeds. The Canadian Kennel Club, Kennel Union of South Africa, United Kennel Club and the Kennel Club (UK) follow the FCI classification scheme and recognise all four as varieties of the same breed.

Structure

The Belgian Shepherd Dog is a medium-to-large size dog. All varieties share a similar underlying musculoskeletal structure, closely resembling the popular German Shepherd breed save for the hindlegs. All variants also share a close cranial features, having a domed forehead, a long, square-cut muzzle and black noses with their ears pointed and fully erect. One of the identifying characteristics of the breed is that it is square, with its height from the ground to top of the withers being equal length.

Groenendael

The Groenendael is characterized by a long, double coat in solid black. White marking are to be confined to a small patch on the chest (not to extend to the neck) and white toes. Coat texture is stiff, tight, and thick: designed to withstand the elements.

Tervuren

Like all Belgian Shepherds, the Tervuren is a medium-sized, square-proportioned dog in the sheepdog family. Males stand between 24 and 26 inches, and weigh approximately 65 lb. Females are finer and smaller. It is recognized by its thick double coat, generally mahogany with varying degrees of black overlay (completely missing overlay on males is a serious fault), including a black mask. A small patch of white on the chest is permissible by club standards, as well as white tips on toes. The Tervuren may also be sable or grey, but this may be penalized in the show ring in some countries according to the standard of the registering body.

Belgian Shepherd Dogs are described^{[by whom?]} as highly intelligent, alert, sensitive to everything going on around them and form very strong relationship bonds. They are said to be^{[by whom?]} loyal, intelligent, fun, highly trainable and well suited to family lifehttp://www.nbsdc.org/bsd.htmsup class="noprint Inline-Template" title="The material in the vicinity of this tag may be based upon unreliable original research</ref> from October 2009" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i>[[Wikipedia:No original research|original research?]]</i>&#93;</sup>. They should receive plenty of socializing as puppies and will benefit from regular activity and close interaction with people throughout their lifespan. Their herding heritage gives them a comparatively high energy level, and mental as well as physical exercise is necessary to keep a Belgian happy and healthy. Belgian Shepherds do well in [[List of dog sports|sports]] such as [[obedience training]] and [[dog agility]]. They are used as [[assistance dogs|assistance]] and [[search and rescue dog]]s, as well as police, military and narcotics dogs as well.<ref name=nbsdc></ref>

There have been few health surveys of the individual Belgian Shepherd varieties.http://users.pullman.com/lostriver/breeddata.htm Dog Longevity Web Site, Breed Data page. Compiled by K. M. Cassidy. Retrieved July 8, 2007 The UK Kennel Club conducted a 2004 health survey of all Belgian Shepherd varieties combined.http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/570 Kennel Club/British Small Animal Veterinary Association Scientific Committee. 2004. Purebred Dog Health Survey. Retrieved July 5, 2007 The Belgian Sheepdog (=Groenendael) Club of America Health Committee has a health registry questionnaire, http://www.bsca.info/health.html Belgian Sheepdog Club of America Health page, Retrieved August 4, 2007 but it is not clear whether or when results will be reported. The American Belgian Tervuren Club conducted health surveys in 1998 http://www.abtc.org/Retired/healthSurvey.htm 1998 Tervuren Health Survey, Don MacManus. Originally published in Tervuren News Tales, Dec/Jan 1999. Retrieved August 4, 2007 and 2003. http://www.abtc.org/health_ed/survey_2003.htm Summary of the 2003 American Belgian Tervuren Club Health Survey. Retrieved August 4, 2007 Only the 2003 report included longevity information.

Mortality

Median longevity of Belgian Shepherds (all varieties combined) in the 2004 UK survey, was 12.5 years, which is on the high side, both for purebred dogs in general and for breeds similar in size.http://users.pullman.com/lostriver/weight_and_lifespan.htm Dog Longevity Web Site, Weight and Longevity page. Compiled by K. M. Cassidy. Retrieved July 5, 2007 The longest-lived of 113 deceased Belgians in the UK survey was 18.2 years. Leading causes of death were cancer (23%), cerebral vascular, i.e., stroke (13%), and old age (13%).

Average longevity of Belgian Tervurens in the 2003 American Belgian Tervuren Club survey was lower, at 10.6 years, than in the UK survey. The difference in surveys does not necessarily mean Belgian Tervurens live shorter lives than other varieties of Belgian Shepherds. Breed longevities in USA/Canada surveys are usually shorter than those in UK surveys.http://users.pullman.com/lostriver/survey_comparisons.htm Dog Longevity Web Site, Survey Comparisons page. Compiled by K. M. Cassidy. Retrieved July 5, 2007 Leading causes of death in the 2003 American Belgian Tervuren Club survey were cancer (35%), old age (23%), and organ failure (heart, kidney, liver) (13%).

Morbidity

Belgian Shepherds are afflicted with the most common dog health issues (reproductive, musculoskeletal, and dermatological) at rates similar to breeds in general. They differ most notably from other breeds in the high incidence of seizures and/or epilepsy. In the UK survey of Belgian Shepherds and both the 1998 and 2003 ABTC survey of Belgian Tervurens, about 9% of dogs had seizures or epilepsy. Other studies have reported rates of epilepsy in Belgian Tervurens as high as 17%, or about one in six dogs. http://www.abtc.org/health_ed/akcgrant.htm A. M. Oberbauer, T. R. Farnula, and B. May. Grant proposal for development of a genetic marker for idiopathic epilepsy in the Belgian Tervuren. AKC Grant Information. Retrieved August , 2007 For comparison, the incidence of epilepsy/seizures in the general dog population is estimated at between 0.5% and 5.7%. http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/medical/epilepsy.html Wiersma-Aylward, A. 1995. Canine Epilepsy. Retrieved August 6, 2007 See Epilepsy in animals for more information on symptoms and treatments.