HISTORY

In September of 1891 the Belgian Shepherd Dog Club (Club du Chien de Berger Belge) was organized to investigate the characteristics of the native dogs in Belgium. They defined the consistent type of this native dog that was identical in body and temperament but differing in coat (color, texture and length).

During the early part of the twentieth century, the owners and breeders in Belgium urged the acceptance of additional Varieties based on the color and regions of origin. The fawn rough haired variety was given the name Laekenois (derived from the town of Laeken). The abilities of these dogs as intelligent and versatile workers soon gained popularity in other countries.

The Laekenois' original duty, in addition to guarding and tending the flock, was to guard linen drying in the fields. He was an enthusiastic worker and a quick learner which made him a desirable choice for the task at hand. He was later called on to serve as a messenger dog during World War I and II. At this time his numbers were severely decreased. Many breeders worked very hard to restore this variety, while retaining the typical Belgian Shepherd Dog intelligence, type and structure. He is admired today for these attributes. He is still able to herd and guard his flock, and protect his people and their property. His ability to adapt to new situations and to respond to his master's commands makes him an alert, intelligent, inquisitive animal. He typically is reserved with strangers.

GENERAL APPEARANCE

The Belgian Laekenois is of medium size and square outline. He is intelligent. He enjoys and expects daily human companionship and interaction. He is adaptable to outdoor life, robust in nature. He carries his head proudly, and gives an impression of profound elegance. His look is of alertness and readiness. His silhouette shows a beautiful, soft, unbroken line from the top of the head, along a gently curved neck, defined withers, a strong, straight back and a slightly rounded croup.

Gender: The male must be distinctively masculine and must have two normal testicles that are fully descended into the scrotum. The female must be distinctively feminine. Disqualifications: Males not having two normal testicles that are fully descended into the scrotum.

Size: The male should stand between 23 and 26 1/2 inches at the withers, the female should stand between 21 and 24 1/2 inches at the withers. Disqualifications: Any deviation of 1/2 inch under minimum or over maximum size.

Coat: The Belgian Laekenois must have a harsh coat, wiry in appearance. His coat will appear tousled and in a state of disarray. The length of the coat is approximately 2 to 2 1/2 inches over the entire body. However, not so much coat as to detract from or hide the typical Belgian head. The Laekenois must have an obvious mustache and beard. The coat can range from pale beige through fawn to mahogany in color with a black overlay mainly on the muzzle (mask) and tail. A small white spot on the chest is allowed. The chest and neck areas may contain some graying. Faults: A coat too long, too silky. Hair too long around the eyes, absence of beard and/or mustache. Lack of undercoat.

HEAD

The head of the Laekenois is in proportion to the body of the dog. It is well chiseled and long without exaggeration. The muzzle and the skull are equal in length or with a slight advantage to the muzzle. The planes of the head and muzzle are parallel, with a minimal to moderate stop which blends both pieces into a pleasant outline. Faults: A head too long or too short. A skull that is too narrow or too broad. A head that lacks parallelism. A muzzle shorter than the skull.

Masking: The mask ideally covers the entire muzzle, including the eyes, as if dipped in black paint. Faults: A reversed mask or absence of mask.

Nose: The nose must be black in color, with strong nostrils. Faults: Traces of depigmentation.

Muzzle: The muzzle is medium in length, tapering gradually towards the nose. The corners of the mouth are well pulled back. Faults: Too much or not enough length. Too narrow or too heavy (without taper).

Lips: Thin tissue, closing tightly, stongly pigmented (not showing pink or red). Faults: Traces of depigmentaion. Loose flews.

Cheeks: Cheeks are quite flat while being well muscled. A Laekenois should not have marked cheekbones. Faults: A cheeky appearance.

Dentition: Teeth must be strong and white, set in a well-developed jaw with all teeth present. A scissors bite is preferred, but a level bite should not be faulted. Faults: One or two missing teeth is considered a fault. Three missing teeth is a serious fault and is to be penalized accordingly. DIsqualifications: Four or more missing teeth. Overshot or undershot bite such that contact with two inscisors is lost. (Note: Loss of contact caused by short center incisors shall not be judged as undershot in an otherwise correct bite.)

Stop: The stop is minimal to moderate, but marked. Faults: Lack of stop or a pronounced stop.

Skull: The skull is medium in width, in proportion to the length of the head. The forehead is flat rather than rounded. When viewed from profile the planes of the muzzle and skull are parallel. Any deviation from the above description hurts the expression and elegance of the dog.

Eyes: The eyes are of medium size, neither protuding nor sunken. They are almond shaped, dark in color, with black rimmed eyelids. Faults: A light color to the eye, a round eye, an eye too big. Lower lids that are drooped.

Ears: The ears are well defined; triagular in shape, stiff and erect, set high on the head, proportioned in length. The tips of the ears are pointed. Faults: Ears that are too large, too long, too broad at base, too low set, too round, too blunt. Ears should not lean forward. The inner edges of the ears should not be parallel. Disqualifications: Ears drooped, hanging.

Neck: The neck is arched, slightly elongated and well muscled, broadening gradually to blend into the shoulders. Faults: Too short, too steep, too narrow, too loose.

BODY

The body of the Laekenois is powerful without heaviness. The length from the point of the shoulders to the point of the buttocks is equal to the height at the withers. The coat must be double (undercoat and overcoat). Faults: A body too narrow or too wide or barrel chested. A body too long.

Forechest: When viewed from the front neither narrow nor broad. One small white patch on the forechest is permitted.

Chest: The chest is deep but not broad. The rib cage should reach to the elbows. Faults: A chest that is too narrow or too wide.

Withers: Pronounced. Faults: Flat withers.

Underline: Moderately developed but not drooping nor tucked up.

Croup: Very slightly sloping. Faults: A croup that slopes too much. A croup that is higher than the withers.

Tail: Well set, strong at the base. At rest the dog carries it hanging down with the tip bending slightly backwards at the level of the hock. When in motion, the tail moves up level with the back. Faults: Tail forming a hook at the end or deviates from the central line of the body. Disqualifications: Missing or cropped tail.

FOREQUARTERS

The forequarters should show solid bone all over, with strong muscles. Faults: Too much or not enough bone, undeveloped muscle.

Shoulders: The shoulder blades are long, flat and sloping, angulated with the humerous to give the elbow room to move. Faults: Too straight or too short.

Upper Arms: Should move in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body. Faults: Too short or too steep.

Forearms: Well muscled and long. Faults: A forearm that turns in or out. One that is too short or crooked.

Pasterns: Short, stong and slightly sloping. Faults: Pasterns that are weak or too long.

Feet: Nails are dark and strong. The toes are arched and well closed forming a "cat" foot appearance. Feet should stand square without toeing in or out. Dewclaws may be present.

HINDQUARTERS

The hindquarters should not be heavy but rather powerful and in the same planes as the forequarters. When standing, the hindquarters are perpendicular to the ground. Faults: Hindquarters that are cowhocked or bowlegged, knees or feet that are turned out. Hindquarters that are too narrow or too wide.

Thighs: Upper thighs are broad and very well muscled, the stifle is nearly perpendicular to the pelvis. Lower thighs are long, broad and muscled, when viewed from behind they are parallel to each other. Faults: Thighs too thin, too short, lacking angulation at the stifle. Hocks that are long. Sickle hock or excessive angulation.

Rear Pasterns: The rear pasterns are short and solid. Dewclaws should be removed.

Feet: Slightly oval, toes well arched and well closed. Pads are thick and elastic. Nails are strong and dark.

MOVEMENT

The Laekenois should move briskly and freely, seemingly without effort, covering a maximum amount of ground, single tracking. The Laekenois should seem tireless. He will tend to move in circles rather than in a straight line. He has a balanced movement (both front and rear are equal in length of stride). Faults: Narrow or wide movement. Legs crossing, looseness in elbows, joint instability during movement.

CHARACTER

He has an aptitude to herd and guard flocks. He will, without hesitation, defend his master. He is attentive and vigilant. The Belgian Laekenois is aloof to strangers without showing shyness or aggressiveness. He is devoted to his immediate family and stock and should show protectiveness to it. He is a dog of extreme intelligence and needs to have work to do, therefore, he may not be suited to many prospective owners. When at work, the dog exhibits all the characteristics of an intelligent, exuberant animal willing to please his master. He must be steady, reliable and ready to do his job. Disqualifications: Extreme shyness. Viciousness.