Belgian Shepherd
The Belgian Shepherd Dog (also known as the Belgian Sheepdog or Chien de Berger Belge) is used to refer to both a breed of dog as well as a type of medium-sized to large-sized dog. It is a member of the Sheepdog Group, and as such can be commonly mistaken for the German or King Shepherd. Four breeds have been identified by various kennels as a separate breed or variety: Groenendael, Laekenois, Tervuren, and the Malinois. All are registered as a herding dog, more specifically a sheep dog.Breed recognization
In Belgium (the country of origin) they are considered to be one breed, hair colour and structure divides them into four varieties.[citation needed] In some non FCI countries and other regions, they are considered separate breeds.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes only the Groenendael under the name "Belgian Sheepdog"[citation needed], but also recognizes the Tervuren (with the alternative spelling "Tervueren") and the Malinois as individual breeds[citation needed]. The Laekenois can be registered as part of the AKC foundation stock service and should eventually be recognised fully by the AKC.[citation needed]
The Australian National Kennel Council and the New Zealand Kennel Club recognize all four as separate breeds.[citation needed] The Canadian Kennel Club, Kennel Union of South Africa and the Kennel Club (UK) follow the FCI classification scheme and recognises all four as varieties of the same breed.[citation needed]
In years gone past, the Groenendael and Tervuren were one breed with coat variations until the Club decided to petition the AKC to make the separation into two separate breeds.[citation needed]
Appearance
Health
There have been few health surveys of the individual Belgian Shepherd varieties. The UK Kennel Club conducted a 2004 health survey of all Belgian Shepherd varieties combined. The Belgian Sheepdog (=Groenendael) Club of America Health Committee has a health registry questionnaire, but it is not clear whether or when results will be reported. The American Belgian Tervuren Club conducted health surveys in 1998 and 2003. 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. 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. 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. For comparison, the incidence of epilepsy/seizures in the general dog population is estimated at between 0.5% and 5.7%. See Epilepsy in animals for more information on symptoms and treatments.
