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Belgian Laekenois

The Laekenois is the rarest of the four Belgian shepherd varieties, distinguished by a rough, tousled wiry coat in fawn.

It takes its name from the Château de Laeken and was historically used to guard linen drying in fields as well as to herd.

It stands 56 to 66 centimetres, weighs 20 to 30 kilograms and lives ten to twelve years. In temperament it is a Belgian shepherd throughout — highly intelligent, driven, watchful and intensely bonded to its handler. It shares the working demands of the Malinois and Tervuren, and the fact that it is rare and unusual-looking does not make it any easier to live with in an ordinary home.

Origin
Belgium; the rough-coated shepherd variety
Size
56–66 cm; 20–30 kg
Lifespan
10–12 years
Coat
Rough, tousled and wiry; hand-stripped rather than clipped
Temperament
Driven, watchful, intensely handler-bonded
Health
Hip and elbow dysplasia, epilepsy, PRA

Related: Belgian Malinois · Belgian sheepdog · Belgian Tervuren

2 belgian laekenois photos, newest first

  • Onyx V, a belgian laekenois

    Onyx V

    Onyx V was promoted to ambitious roadside lemonade vendor; unfortunately, dozens of ping-pong balls escape at once.

    FrostyOtter · 1 week ago

  • Onyx V, a belgian laekenois

    Onyx V

    Onyx V supervising, which mostly means lying down nearby.

    MerryBadger · 2 weeks ago

Living with a belgian laekenois

The drive is the same as the other Belgian varieties. This dog needs a job — herding, protection sport, tracking, agility — and an under-worked Laekenois becomes anxious, reactive and destructive.

The rough coat should be hand-stripped and lightly brushed. Clipping ruins the texture, and the coat should never be heavily trimmed.

They are naturally watchful and reserved with strangers; heavy early socialisation is essential to prevent that becoming reactivity.

Ask for hip and elbow scores, PRA testing, and about epilepsy in the lines, which affects the Belgian shepherd varieties.

They are sensitive and bond very closely with one person. They do not cope well with being rehomed or kennelled.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. Individual dogs vary, and anything about a specific animal is a question for a vet who has seen it.

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