theBelgian Laekenois

Intelligent, Alert, Affectionate
Miscellaneous

meet theBelgian Laekenois

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The Belgian Laekenois has been assigned to the Herding Group designation.

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at aGlance

Energy & Size

high ENERGY &
large size

AKC Dog Ranking

Personality

  • Check Affectionate
  • Check Alert
  • Check Intelligent

theBreed Standard

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Belgian Laekenois Breed Standard Illustration 01 02 03 04 05 06

  • General Appearance

    The first impression of the Belgian Laekenois is that of a square, well-balanced dog, elegant in appearance, with an exceedingly proud carriage of the head and neck. He is a strong, agile, well-muscled animal, alert and full of life. His whole conformation gives the impression of depth and solidity without bulkiness. The male dog is usually somewhat more impressive and grand than his female counterpart. The bitch should have a distinctly feminine look. 

  • Head

    Clean cut and strong, long without exaggeration and lean. The skull and muzzle are approximately the same length with at most a very slight advantage for the muzzle. Overall size should be in proportion to the body. Expression - should be intelligent and questioning, indicating alertness, attention and readiness for activity. Eyes - are brown, preferably dark brown, medium size, slightly almond shaped and not protruding. Ears - are triangular in shape, stiff, erect, and in proportion to the head in size. Base of the ear should not come below the center of the eye.

  • Body

    Neck - is round and rather outstretched, tapered from head to body, well muscled, with tight skin. Topline - the withers are slightly higher and slope into the back, which must be level, straight, and firm from withers to hip joints. Body - Chest - is not broad, but deep. The lowest point should reach the elbow, forming a smooth ascendant curve to the abdomen. 

  • Forequarters

    Shoulders - are long and oblique, laid flat against the body, forming a sharp angle (approximately 90 degrees) with the upper arm. Legs - are straight, strong and parallel to each other with bone oval rather than round. Development (length and substance) should be well proportioned to the size of the dog. Pasterns - are short, strong and very slightly sloped. 

  • Hindquarters

    Legs - are in length and substance well proportioned to the size of the dog with the bone oval rather than round. Legs are parallel to each other. Thighs - are broad and heavily muscled. The upper and lower thigh bones approximately parallel the shoulder blade and upper arm respectively, forming a relatively sharp angle at stifle joint. The angle at the hock is relatively sharp, although the Belgian Laekenois does not have extreme angulation. 

  • Coat

    The coat must have a texture which is rough and coarse giving a disorderly, tousled look. The coat should be severely penalized if silky or soft or lacking a double coat. The length of the hair should be approximately 2½ inches over the body. A beard must be present on the muzzle and hair on the head should not be in excess so as to hide the eyes nor the lines of the head and skull and make the head appear square or heavy. The tail should not form a plume. 

A Belgian Laekenois
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theBelgian Laekenois of AKC

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get involved inClubs & Events

National Breed Club

theAmerican Belgian Laekenois Association

Local Breed
Club

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Meetups

Explore meetups.com and see all of the local Belgian Laekenois in your area.

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