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Breed profile

Belgian Sheepdog

The long-coated black Belgian Shepherd. Watchful, quick to learn and built to work, it needs a lot of exercise and a job.

Head and shoulders of a long-coated black Belgian Sheepdog (Groenendael) outdoors
A Belgian Sheepdog (Groenendael)Photo: Alexcar911 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Weight
18–34 kg40–75 lb
Height
56–66 cm22–26 in
Lifespan
10–12 yrs
Group
Herding
Origin
Belgium
Popularity
#120 US#163 UK · 2025

Known for: Working dogsRunning partners

Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly

Temperament

Intelligent, Watchful, Devoted, Energetic.

Health problems to know about

  • Epilepsy
  • Gastric cancer
  • Hip and elbow dysplasia
  • Allergies and skin disorders
  • Progressive retinal atrophy

Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.

Daily care

Over two hours of vigorous exercise a day plus training or dog sports. Brush once or twice a week, daily during the twice-yearly moult.

A good fit for

Experienced, active owners who want a training partner for obedience, agility or herding.

Probably not ideal for

Flats, sedentary homes, first-time owners, people out at work all day.

Sources

  1. Royal Kennel Club: Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael)
  2. Royal Kennel Club breed standard: Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael)
  3. VCA Canada: Belgian Sheepdog
  4. Cornell Canine Genetics Lab: Gastric (stomach) cancer

Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.

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