Belgian Laekenois

Belgian Laekenois' rough coat is easy to care for. Brush it weekly to remove dead hair and distribute skin oils.

Despite its wiry texture, the coat sheds somewhat year-round. During heavier seasonal sheds, the coat will need more frequent brushing to control the amount of loose hair floating around your house. If kept well brushed, it’s rare that the Laekenois needs a bath.

The rest is basic care. Trim his nails as needed, usually every few weeks, and keep his ears clean and dry to prevent infections. Good dental hygiene is also important. Brush his teeth frequently with a vet-approved pet toothpaste for good overall health and fresh breath.

Bred to be a herding and watchdog, the Belgian Laekenois has loads of energy and must be able to burn it off. Long walks each day will help with his exercise and socialization needs however; the dog also needs to run and play hard too. He quickly can learn to catch a Frisbee, an activity that will allow him to work a variety of muscles. Fetch is another good form of exercise.

The Laekenois does well in agility, tracking, herding and other competitive dog sports. These activities require loads of training which will make the dog more social and accepting of others.

Because the Belgian Laekenois is an athletic and energetic breed, he needs to be fed a diet of high-quality food. Dry kibble is suggested as wet foods can cause dental and oral health problems.

Any diet should be appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are prone to getting overweight, so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level.

Treatscan be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Learn about whichhuman foodsare safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet.Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.

Laekenois' average life span is somewhere between 10 and 14 years. Breed health concerns may include allergies, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, gastric (stomach) carcinoma, pannus (chronic superficial keratitis), cataracts, generalized progressive retinal atrophy, micropapillary, hypothyroidism and epilepsy (seizures). These dogs have sensitive skin and should be brushed regularly to keep them free from dirt and mats.

Although the Laekenois is a bright dog, he requires an owner who will be dedicated to regular training sessions for the life of the dog. Being a herding and guard dog, this breed attaches closely to his home and family and does not like outsiders being around.

Early socialization and puppy kindergarten classes can help the Belgian Laekenois to become accepting of strangers. It is important to note that without training and social skills, this breed can become aggressive with strangers.

Positive training techniques work best for the Laekenois. Manhandling or other forceful methods will only increase the dog’s aggression. An assertive yet kind owner using praise and yummy rewards is the key to having a well-behaved Belgian Laekenois.