AKA: Belgian Sheepdog, Belgian Shepherd, Chien de Berger Beige

Description: The most popular the four Belgian shepherd dogs, the Groenendael is a muscular black dog with a body that is squarely proportioned. It has a coat that is moderately long, especially a little full at the neck, underside, legs, and tail. The face and lower legs have short hair. The Groenendael has a dense undercoat.

The Groenendael has almond-shaped brown eyes, a black nose, and triangular ears that stand erect. The muzzle is long and the chest is deep, reaching into the elbow. The front legs are straight and parallel to each other. Dewclaws may be removed from the front legs but it is imperatively removed from the back legs. The feet is cat-like and round. The skull is flat and the teeth is in a scissors or level bite.

Dynamics: The Belgian Shepherd Groenendael is a serious, smart, and obedient dog. It has strong protective and territorial instincts, which makes it a very good shepherd and guard dog. It can be shy or sensitive, and needs extensive socialization from puppyhood. The training should be patient and not harsh for the Groenendael has a tendency to be uncooperative if it feels heated upon.

Due to its protective instincts and loyalty, the Groenendael can become an excellent police and guard dog. But it can also be a very good pet. It is a loving companion and it is good with children if socialized with them.

The Groenendael is best when it has something to do. If left alone, it will find some ways to entertain itself. It has a lot of energy inside it and can be dominant at times. Extra care should be taken when introducing it with other dogs and non-canine pets. The breed tends to be dominant over them unless properly socialized.

Breed Group: Herding

Weight: males 65-75 lbs (29-34 kg), females 60-70 lbs (27-32 kg)

Height: males 24-26 inches (61-66 cm), females 22-24 inches (55-61 cm)

Color: The Groenendael’s coat is black. Some may posses a little white on the chest, chin or toes.

Country of Origin: The Groenendael, or the Belgian Shepherd, got its name from a village in Belgium. It was bred by Nicholas Rose, by pairing a Petite and a Picard d’Uccle.

Activities: This working dog needs a lot of exercise and is used to an active outdoor life. It is also best for them to be free from a leash and kennel and in a safe area.

Grooming: Grooming the Groenendael requires daily combing and brushing because of its heavy outer coat and dense undercoat. Take special care when they are shedding. Clip hair to form the ruff and legs, toes, and outer ears. The Groenendael sheds twice a year with additional shedding throughout.

Other Info: The Groenendael has a life expectancy of 13-14 years. It hardly has any major health problems but it is prone to epilepsy,skin allergies,eye problems, hip dysplasia, and elbow dysplasia. It also has a tendency to be either excessively shy or excessively aggressive, and this is generally not a good thing for a Groenendael. Be careful not to overfeed this breed because it can become lazy and obese.

This breed will be okay in an apartment but it has to be sufficiently exercise and taken outdoors from time to time. It will sometimes want to sleep outdoors, though generally it wants to be with his family.

Presently, the Groenendael is being used in herding, as a watch and guard dog, in drug detection, search and rescue, and as a family companion.

AKA: Matin Beige, Chien de Trait, Belgian Draft Mastiff

Description: The Belgian Mastiff is a very strong dog with an athletic and muscular build. It has a short coat, black nose, and big ears.

Dynamics: The Belgian Mastiff is not known to be a really friendly dog but it can be reared to be loving and loyal. It is courageous, intelligent, and powerful. The original Belgian Mastiff was a very hard working bobtail mastiff of the butcher’s dog type. The Belgian Mastiff’s primary work was as a draft dog. He pulled carts for the poorer Belgians who could not afford a horse. The Belgian army also used this breed to pull their heavy equipment. He was not known as a really friendly dog but he was very loving, loyal and protective towards his family. He was said to sometimes be vicious with strangers but over all was not a very aggressive dog. He was intelligent, courageous and powerful. It was an active dog who was not nervous and was pretty standoffish with strangers. This breed needed some type of job to do to vent his strong drive and energy. He was a calm and obedient dog.

Breed Group: Mastiff

Weight: 99-110 lbs (45-50 kg)

Height: 27-31 inches (69-78 cm)

Color: The coat came in reddish, brown-brindle, fawn, or black with a dark mask and or infrequent white markings.

Country of Origin: The Belgian Mastiff is suspected to originate from Belgium because the breed was used as cart pulling dogs there long ago. There are speculations that the breed most likely came from France because of its resemblance to the French hounds but there was no exact statement on this. There is also speculation that this breed may be already extinct.

Activities: As the Belgian Mastiff is a working dog, the breed needs to be doing something most of the time. Take it out for exercises and walks.

Other Info: The Belgian Mastiff requires very little grooming. The breed is also used for guard work, tracking, search, and rescue.

AKA: Griffon Belge, Griffon Bruxellois, Brussels Griffon, Petit Brabancon, Belgium Griffon

Description: The Belgian Griffon is a sturdy toy dog with a domed head and an undershot jaw. It has a very short nose and lustrous eyes. It has a pouting look that almost gives a human expression. The ears can be cropped. Its tail is docked and carried high.

There are two types of Belgian Griffon: the rough-coated, and the smooth-coated or petit Brabancon variety. The petit Brabancon requires less grooming than the former.

Dynamics: The Griffon is a cheerful and intelligent dog. It makes a fine companion as it is affectionate, willful, and charming. They can be very loving, but can also get moody at times. The Griffon basically loves to be spoiled.

The Griffon can get along well with other dogs and even with cats. It can be a little hard to housebreak, though. The Griffon can also be made into a good watch dog.

Breed Group: Terrier, Toy

Weight: 6-12 lbs (2.5-5.5 kg)

Height: 7-8 inches (18-20 cm)

Color: Griffons come in red, a mixture of red-brown & black, black & tan, or solid black.

Country of Origin: The Belgian Griffon originated in Belgium in the 1800s. The breed was popular among coach houses before the royal palaces recognized it as a pet.

Activities: A good walk will do for the Belgian Griffon. They are active indoors and don’t need much exercise outdoors.

Other Info: The Belgian Griffon has a life expectancy of 12-15 years. This dog is difficult to breed. It is also prone to eye and respiratory problems. The breed is fit for apartment life and is okay if the home does not have much space or a yard.

Grooming: Grooming the Belgian Griffon requires some attention, since the Griffon sheds little or no hair. But the coat can be clipped.

Description: The Schipperke is a small breed but possess a very strong built  with a lively expression. Their body is short, compact and has no tail. A head like that of a fox that is why there looks could be compared with it too. Their eyes are oval shaped , with eyes that are small and comes in dark brown and ears are small and carried erect especially when they are on their alert situation. Their nose is black in nature. Teeth meet in scissors bite. They have wide chest and coat are compact with rough texture, and the hair on his neck and shoulders is regularly long. And the only prominent color for them is black.

Temperament: Schipperke are an affectionate, alert and loyal breed. Moreover, they are kind too and possesses a lot of traits. A very playful and energetic dog. This breed is best experienced dog owners, because they have an attitude of being controlling, stubborn dog. More confidence on owner’s side is required to train them. They are highly intelligent thus, training for them is an easy task. Due to their alertness, they bark to alarm their homes that would make them an effective watchdog. They are very sensitive and alert of strangers and could be aloof as sign of their being devoted and loyal, especially with children. They enjoy human companionship, that makes them a cheerful and loving family pets. The Schipperke is a born climber and digger, and therefore needs proper guidance and a safe place for them to play and exercise when unleashed. At an early age, they are required to be trained on socialization for them to adjust on the people around and to get along well with other pets. He could be friendly to house pets like cats and other dogs but may run after some strange animals could not be trusted with smaller animals or pets especially those that are caged. But through keen trainings, they could be a good family pet and an obedient dog.

Activity: The Schipperke are active but could be a untiring breed. They require daily long walk and jog. They enjoy playing and running.

Grooming: The Schipperke is known to be a clean breed since they take care of their own grooming. Brushing regularly would keep it in good condition. Dry shampoo when necessary. They do not shed only 3 times per year on bitches and less on males.

Health Problems: The life span of the Schipperke is around 13-15 years and a number of health problems includes: Legg-Perthes, cataracts, epilepsy, PRA, and entropion.

Breed Group: Northern, AKC Non-Sporting

Color: Solid Black

Height: male: 11-13, female: 10-12 inches

Weight: 12-16 lbs

Country Of Origin: Belgium

Dynamics: Alert and curious. An Ideal watchdog like a terrier. Excellent companion dog. Also a genius dog easy to train,friendly, moderately energetic and playful. Aloof with strangers.

AKA: Bichon a poil frise, Bichon Tenerife

Description: The Bichon Frise is a puffball-looking dog surrounded by curled double coat which includes an outer coat that is lined with a soft and silky undercoat. The undercoat is about 3 to 4 inches long and is hypo-allergenic. It should be trimmed for a rounded appearance. The eyes are round with intelligence and the hanging ears are coverd by the hair. The jaws form a scissors bite. The tail is curved over its back.

Dynamics: The Bichon Frise loves human company! The breed is affectionate, bold, and lively, and is easy to live with because of its easy temperament. It is also very easy to train and great with kids. They are naturally sociable and will do well with other dogs and pets. They are used as watchdogs, and are also used to perform for competitions and shows. Perfoming and competing won’t be a problem for the Bichon Frise because it is also naturally competitive and obedient.

Breed Group: Toy, Non-Sporting

Weight: 7-12 lbs (3-5 kg)

Height: males 9-12 inches (23-30 cm), females 9-11 inches (23-28 cm)

Color: The Bichon Frise is usually white. However, cream, gray, or apricot hairs are also common.

Country of Origin: The Bichon Frise was bred in the 14th century as a product of a cross between the Barbet Water Spaniel and the Poodle. It originated in Spain and Belgium and was taken to France where it became a favorite among the French royal courts.

Activities: The Bichon Frise needs a a daily walk and lots of play, as it is a breed with lots of energy.

Grooming: The breed should be groomed frequently and bathed every month. Clip the hair around the eyes and ears. Clean the eyes to prevent staining. The body may be clipped with electric clippers but the the rest has to be trimmed with scissors.

Other Info: The Bichon Frise has a life expectancy of about 15 or more years. The breed is prone to watery eyes, cataracts, skin and ear ailments, epilepsy, and dislocated kneecaps.

The Bichon Frise will do well in an apartment. Make sure that it gets a lot of exercise or play. They are fairly active indoors and would like to be taken outdoors from time to time.