Belgian Laekenois

also known as Laekenois

Pros Summary


The Belgian Laekenois is a medium-sized, herding dog breed that originated in Belgium. They were originally bred as herding and guard dogs. The breed's name "Belgian Laekenois" comes from its origins in the Belgian city of Laeken. The breed was first recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) in 1901. It is also recognized by other kennel clubs and organizations such as the United Kennel Club (UKC) and the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC). They are known for their protective and independent personalities. They make great family pets, but they require regular exercise and consistent training.

Breed Information


Type

Is Belgian Laekenois a purebred?

Purebred

Purpose

What were Belgian Laekenoiss originally used for?

stock herding

Lifespan

How Long Do Belgian Laekenoiss Live? What is average life expectancy for a Belgian Laekenois? How long can Belgian Laekenoiss live?

12-14 years

The average Belgian Laekenois lifespan is somewhere between 12-14 years, provided they aren't beset by any exceptional health issues or injuries.

Belgian Laekenois Height & Weight


How big is a full grown Belgian Laekenois?

What is the average height of a Belgian Laekenois? How big is a Purebred Belgian Laekenois height? Belgian Laekenois dog height:
Height
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 24-26 inches (61 - 66 cm) 13.0 inches (33 cm) 18.5 inches (47 cm) 21.0 inches (53.3 cm)
Female 22-24 inches (55.9 - 61 cm) 10.5 inches (26.7 cm) 14.5 inches (36.8 cm) 19.5 inches (49.5 cm)
What is the average weight of a Belgian Laekenois? How much should Belgian Laekenoiss weigh?
Weight
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 55-65 pounds (25 - 29 kg) 38.5 pounds (17 kg) 51.0 pounds (23 kg) 60.0 pounds (27 kg)
Female 55-65 pounds (25 - 29 kg) 38.5 pounds (17 kg) 51.0 pounds (23 kg) 60.0 pounds (27 kg)
Weight Gain Potential

Do Belgian Laekenoiss get fat easily?

The Belgian Laekenois is a dog breed that has a low to average risk for obesity. This means that they are less likely to gain weight than some breeds, but it is still important to monitor their food intake and ensure they get enough exercise to maintain a healthy weight and overall well-being.

Hypoallergenic

Are Belgian Laekenoiss Hypoallergenic?

No

Unfortunately, the Belgian Laekenois is not hypoallergenic, making it not a good choice for a dog lover who suffers from pet allergies.

Temperament

What is a Belgian Laekenois personality? What are Belgian Laekenois dogs best known for?

Active
Energetic
Protective
Alert
Lively
Watchful

Shedding Level

Are Belgian Laekenoiss heavy shedders? How Much Does a Belgian Laekenois Shed?

Belgian Laekenois dogs are not heavy shedders, but they will lose a significant amount of hair each year. To decrease the amount of shedding, you can regularly brush your Belgian Laekenois. This will remove loose hair and keep his coat growing in the same direction.

Watchdog Ability

What is the watchdog ability of a Belgian Laekenois dog?

The Belgian Laekenois dog is one of the best choice if you want a good watchdog. This breed will keep watch over you and your family at all times. This breed takes this task seriously and will typically perform its guarding duty with little to no training. This dog will require obedience training, or you can consider guard dog training to sharpen its skills.

Breed History


Origin

Where do Belgian Laekenoiss come from?

Belgium

Ancestry

What are Belgian Laekenoiss descended from?

shepherd

Date of Birth

When were Belgian Laekenoiss first bred? How old is the Belgian Laekenois breed?

1800s

Belgian Laekenois Appearance


Eye Color Possibilites

What color are Belgian Laekenois eyes?

Brown

Nose Color Possibilites

What color can Belgian Laekenois nose be naturally?

Black

Coat Length

How long is a Belgian Laekenoiss coat?

The coat of a Belgian Laekenois dog ranges in length from short to medium.

Coat Density

How Dense Is The Belgian Laekenois Coat?

Coat Texture

What is the texture of the hair of a Belgian Laekenois?

Wiry

Litter Size

How many puppies can a Belgian Laekenois have in a litter? How many puppies can a Belgian Laekenois have in her first litter?

12-14 puppies per pregnancy

A Belgian Laekenois can have a litter of 12-14 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Adaptability

The adaptability of Belgian Laekenois dogs is a well-known trait, they are known for being able to adjust well to different living environments and lifestyle changes.

Belgian Laekenois Health Issues


Health Issues

Do Belgian Laekenoiss have a lot of health problems?

The Belgian Laekenois is a breed of dog that is known to have a higher frequency of health issues compared to other breeds. These issues can range from minor to serious, and regular check-ups with a veterinarian are essential in order to identify and address any potential problems as early as possible.

Major Concerns

What are the major health concerns to be aware of when owning a Belgian Laekenois?

Hip And Elbow Dysplasia

Minor Concerns

What are the less significant issues to keep in mind when it comes to Belgian Laekenoiss?

Hypothyroidism

Occasional Tests

What are the occasional tests recommended for Belgian Laekenois breed?

Thyroid Tests
X-Rays

Belgian Laekenois Needs and Activities


Energy

Do Belgian Laekenoiss have a lot of energy?

Belgian Laekenoiss are high-energy dogs, thus an active lifestyle suits them well.

Social Needs

Do Belgian Laekenoiss need socialization? How social are Belgian Laekenoiss?

Belgian Laekenois have above average social needs compared to other breeds.They thrive in environments where they have a lot of interaction with humans and other dogs.

Exercise Needed

How much exercise should Belgian Laekenoiss get?

The Belgian Laekenois dog needs significant physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They are also well-suited for those who lead an active lifestyle and enjoy activities such as running, hiking, or other outdoor pursuits.

Sleeping Need

How much sleep should a Belgian Laekenois have? Do Belgian Laekenoiss sleep a lot?

The Belgian Laekenois breed is known for its moderate energy levels and normal sleep patterns, typically sleeping around 12-14 hours per day.

Drooling Tendency

Does a Belgian Laekenois drool a lot?

The Belgian Laekenois is a breed of dog that is characterized by its minimal drooling, making it an ideal choice for people who dislike drool marks on their clothing.

Tendency to Bark

How much does it bark?

Belgian Laekenois dogs tends to bark less frequently than most other dogs. They tend to be quieter and less vocal than other breeds. They may only bark when necessary, such as to alert their owner of something or to communicate something. They do not bark excessively, and may not bark as much as other dogs in certain situations, such as when they are left alone.

Territorial

Do Belgian Laekenoiss exhibit aggressive behavior to safeguard their home and territory? Do they possess a natural tendency to guard?

These dogs are known for being extremely protective and make excellent guard dogs. They possess a strong instinct to defend their territory and owners and have a high level of vigilance and alertness.

Mouthiness

Are Belgian Laekenoiss mouthy?

Roaming urge

What is the likelihood of a Belgian Laekenois running away? Do they have a tendency to explore or wander frequently?

Prey Drive

Do Belgian Laekenois dogs have a high prey drive?

Activity Level

What is the energy level of a Belgian Laekenois? How much energy does a Belgian Laekenois have?

High

Belgian Laekenoiss are high-energy dogs. They need mental as well as physical exercise. These dogs require a lot of your involvement and without it they can, and will, become problematic dogs.

Tolerance of being left alone

Walks per Week

How far should a Belgian Laekenois walk each week? How many miles should a Belgian Laekenois walk every week?

8 miles / week

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Belgian Laekenois, it's at least 8 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

Activity per Day

How much a Belgian Laekenois should exercise a day? How much activity does a Belgian Laekenois need?

60 minutes

In general most Belgian Laekenoiss usually need at least 60 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

Grooming

What level of grooming should be provided for a Belgian Laekenois?

The Belgian Laekenois is a breed of dog that requires an average amount of grooming effort.

Brushing Frequency

How often should you brush a Belgian Laekenois?

Weekly

Belgian Laekenois should be brushed at least once a week. Of course you can give them more frequent brushes if you find that they are still shedding a lot

Brushing Tools

What are the most commonly used brushing tools for Belgian Laekenoiss?

Pin Brush
Slicker Brush
Comb
Scissors
Nail Clipper

Costs


Cups

How many cups of food does a Belgian Laekenois eat?

2.5 cups

For an average 55-65 pound (25 - 29 kg) Belgian Laekenois feed 2.5 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

Daily Cost

How Much Does a Belgian Laekenois Cost Daily?

$2.10 - $2.70 / day

The average cost of a Belgian Laekenois is somewhere $2.10 - $2.70 per day.

Monthly Cost

How Much Does a Belgian Laekenois Cost Per Month?

$55 - $73 / month

The average per month expenses of a Belgian Laekenois is between $55 - $73. This makes an average of $660 - $876 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Belgian Laekenois Characteristic


Intelligence

How intelligent is a Belgian Laekenois?

The Belgian Laekenois breed is considered very intelligent and easy to train.

Sensitivity Level

How sensitive is a Belgian Laekenois dog?

This dog breed is more sensitive than others and easily overwhelmed by new surroundings and people. They need gentle handling and a calm, stable home environment with positive reinforcement training.

Affection Dependance

Are Belgian Laekenois dogs affectionate?

Apartment Friendly

Do Belgian Laekenois do well in apartments? Are Belgian Laekenoiss good indoor dogs?

The Belgian Laekenois is not an apartment-friendly dog breed. This dog breed is best in a home with a large, fenced-in yard. They are not suited for apartment life and can become destructive due to pent up energy from being in a small space.

Child Friendly

Are Belgian Laekenoiss good with kids? Are Belgian Laekenoiss good around children?

Belgian Laekenoiss are kid-friendly dogs. They are good with children and excellent dogs with children if they are socialized and trained at a young age.

Senior-friendly

Are Belgian Laekenoiss good for elderly?

Cat Friendly

Are Belgian Laekenoiss good with cats? How friendly Belgian Laekenoiss are toward cats?

Belgian Laekenoiss are an average cat friendly dog. They do well with cats, even more if raised together from puppyhood,

Dog Friendly

Do Belgian Laekenois dogs get along with other dogs? Are Belgian Laekenoiss OK with other dogs?

Belgian Laekenoiss are average friendly towards other dogs. If they are raised with other dogs, they are likely to get along with them. And, if they are socialized properly from a young age, they will usually be great with other dogs.

Pet friendly

How do Belgian Laekenois dogs interact with other pets? Are they considered pet-friendly?

Stranger Friendly

Are Belgian Laekenoiss friendly with strangers?

Belgian Laekenoiss are below average friendly around strangers. Keen of eye and sharp of tongue, most Belgian Laekenoiss are very quick to announce strangers at the door. Once the visitor comes in, some Belgian Laekenoiss will be friendly and outgoing. But many others have the standoffish or suspicious towards strangers.

Playfulness

Do Belgian Laekenoiss like to play? Are Belgian Laekenoiss playful?

The Belgian Laekenois is a playful dog. So, no matter how busy the day may get, the best thing you can do for your Belgian Laekenois is to make time each day to play. It can be as little as 15-20 minutes, and it will mean the world to them.

Trainability

Are Belgian Laekenois easily trained?

The Belgian Laekenois is a breed of dog that is known for being very easy to train. They are highly intelligent and eager to please, which makes them a great choice for both experienced and novice dog owners.

Pros Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Quiet
    If you're looking for a breed that doesn't make a lot of noise, this one could be a good pick as they are known for being quiet.
  • Maintain a healthy weight
    The risk of Belgian Laekenoiss becoming overweight is generally low to average.
  • Intelligent
    Belgian Laekenois are highly intelligent and are easy to train.
  • Protective
    Belgian Laekenois are protective of their family and make good watchdogs.
  • Loyal
    Belgian Laekenois are known to be very loyal to their owners.
  • Good with Children
    Belgian Laekenois are generally good with children and can make great family pets.
  • Good with Other Pets
    Belgian Laekenois are generally good with other pets and get along well with other animals.

Cons

  • Not Hypoallergenic
    While beloved by many, Belgian Laekenoiss may not be appropriate for those with allergies due to the possibility of allergic reactions.
  • Not Apartment Friendly
    Belgian Laekenois are not suitable for apartment living.
  • Not suitable for office environment
    Belgian Laekenoiss may find an office setting too stressful.
  • Needs Training
    Belgian Laekenois require consistent training and socialization to prevent them from becoming aggressive.