The Lakenois

Credit: Wikipedia

   The Lakenois is by far the most uncommon of the four types in the States, I am not sure how common a sight they may be in Europe.

   I hear that they, too, like the Malinois, are extensively used as K9 and military units, but that is pretty much all I have heard of them.

 I do know that there are at least a few breeders here in the States that show them in AKC shows, but other than that they're a pretty rare dog.


I have heard very little about the Lakenois; being rare, there are significantly fewer personal stories about them than the other varieties. The reports that I have heard seem to agree that the Lakenois were no longer a gentle, steady minded guardian... placing them more in the category of too high powered for family comfort. Always remember: investigate the background & family of any dog!

Credit: Dog Breed Info

Credit: NextDayPets

 

Puppy Photo ~ Days old

Day old Tervuren pups: 2013 model.

Puppy Photo ~ Harper

 

Harper at 6 weeks.

The Malinois

Credit: Wikipedia

    The Mal is a well known face to anyone in military, police, or security K9 units.
   NARC and SAR have many of them, and I've spoken with handlers whose voice took on a new tone when they started to talk about their Mals.

Credit: PetCareRX

  Related to the current direction the breeders have focused on, some feel that the Mal can be too much of a work-a-holic to make a good, laid back family companion... but many Malinois have stretched themselves out on kitchen and living room floors all over the country. With their short hair they are easiest to groom of all the Belgians, and certainly maintain the stately bearing of the breed's legacy.

 

Credit: studioblog

As I mentioned, many feel that the Mal is too much for a home situation; including breeders who have told people looking for family guardians to look elsewhere. Just like every breed: Always thoughtfully investigate the background & family of any dog!

The Tervuren

Credit: PetFinder

   Tervurens are fast becoming the most popular of the types for home and family guardian, as well as being well represented in the NARC, SAR, and police K9, and any and all athletic competitions and sport trials.

   Personally, I have to say that I find them the most gorgeous of the four types... there is nothing quite the same as a beautifully groomed Tervuren at full alert.

 And their hearts and minds are just as stunning!

Credit: True Knight Tervurens

Credit: DogBreedInfo

 I've heard recent concerns about the tempers and health of today's Terv's, some being labeled as "nervy tervy." This saddens me a  great deal, that individuals among this terrific breed are showing up less than stellar. So please keep in mind: Always investigate the background & family of any dog!

Puppy Photo ~ Argus

"Argus" at 7 weeks.

The Groenendael

Credit: PetWave

The Groenendael is rarely called that in the States, here it is mostly known simply as the Belgian Sheepdog... although those in the know will refer to it as Groenendael to eleminate confusion amongst the types.
  Some breeders have both Groenendaels and Tervs, their coloring being the only thing that distinguishes the two types.

Credit: Beljekali (Australian Breeder)

 The Belgian Sheepdog is well known as a kind and gentle family guardian, and generally considered to be the most laid back and calm of all the Belgians. They are sometimes competed in trials and athletic sports, and several are found serving as the Search and Rescue dogs. There was a SAR Groenendael on  ground zero after 9/11.

I have heard recent concerns about temperament issues in the today's Groenendael, some describing the ones they recently met as "slinky," or un-forward. Always investigate the background & family of any dog!

Credit: A-Te-Ell (Swedish breeder)

Puppy Photo ~ Orion

 

 "Orion" at 9 weeks.

Part 4: Tervuren History: Four Versions

 There were four distinct coat types recorded by the Club du Chein de Berger Belge. 

 The illustration at right shows a decent rendition of their differences.

 These were...

Image found on the Belgian Sheepdog Club of America site.

  the Greonendale

("Grohn-en-dale")

black, long hair

the Tervuren

("Terv-ur-en" or "Terv-u-ren") 

mahogany, long hair

the Malinois

("Mahl-in-waugh") 

mahogany, short hair

the Lakenois

("Layk-en-waugh")

wiry, or curly, coated, commonly brown or light

 I have listed them in order of their perceived popularity/commonality in the States... I understand it is rare indeed to see a Lakenois in America, although I hear the Groenendale fanciers are seeing declining numbers of the blacks. But they are numerously and fondly remembered by many, and so I still leave them at the top of the list at this time.

Credit: BSCA website

  It was the Greonendale that first made it to these shores, and they were entered into the AKC as the
Belgian Sheepdog.

 To quote the website of the Belgian Sheepdog Club of America...

"Belgians were registered and shown as one breed in the United States until issues arose over color and inter-variety breeding. In 1959, the AKC gave each variety a separate status. The long-haired black dogs kept the AKC breed name of Belgian Sheepdog."