Belgian Groenendael
Also known as Groenendael, Belgian Shepherd Groenendael
- Height at the withers
- 56 to 66 cm
- Weight
- 20 to 30 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12 to 14 years
- Daily activity
- 120 minutes
- Origin
- Belgium
- FCI group
- 1 · Sheepdogs and cattle dogs
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- a sporty owner: running, hiking, canicross
- watching over the house
Less suited to
- an apartment: it needs space
- a first dog: it needs an experienced owner
- a sedentary life: plan on 120 minutes of activity a day
- long absences: it struggles when left alone
Overview
The long-haired black variety of the Belgian Shepherd Dog, the Groenendael is an elegant, refined dog of medium proportions whose abundant deep black ruff looks like fur. Lively, intelligent and very attached to its owner, it excels in obedience, agility and guarding, but needs consistent training and plenty of activity.
History and origins
The Belgian Shepherd officially came into being between 1891 and 1897, led by Professor Adolphe Reul of the Cureghem veterinary school, who surveyed and selected the country’s herding dogs. The long-haired black variety was established in Groenendael, near Brussels, by Nicolas Rose, starting from his pair of black dogs, Picard d’Uccle and Petite. The FCI recognizes a single breed (standard no. 15) in four varieties, Groenendael, Tervuren, Malinois and Laekenois, judged separately. In France, the Société Centrale Canine (French Kennel Club) counts the varieties separately: the Groenendael had 380 LOF registrations in 2025, far behind the Malinois.
Health
Life expectancy is 12 to 14 years, and the breed is hardy. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Epilepsy
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Hypothyroidism
- Hemangiosarcoma
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Long double coat. Heavy shedding, high coat care. Coat colors: solid black (“noir zain” in French), A little white allowed on the chest and toes.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- Boundless, 5 out of 5
- Apartment
- Difficult, 2 out of 5
- Home alone
- Poorly, 2 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With cats
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With strangers
- Reserved, 2 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Easy, 4 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Poor fit, 2 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- Strong, 4 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- Low, 2 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- High, 4 out of 5
- Shedding
- Heavy, 4 out of 5
- Drooling
- Never, 1 out of 5
- Barking
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Excellent, 5 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Good, 4 out of 5
In our lists
Belgian Groenendael FAQ
How big does the Belgian Groenendael get?
The Belgian Groenendael stands 56 to 66 cm at the withers and weighs 20 to 30 kg. It is a large dog.
Does the Belgian Groenendael shed a lot?
It sheds heavily and its coat needs a lot of care. Plan on brushing several times a week, and more during the spring and fall shedding seasons. Its coat needs regular grooming, sometimes by a professional.
Can the Belgian Groenendael live in an apartment?
It is difficult: it needs space and activity, and a home with a yard suits it better.
How much exercise does the Belgian Groenendael need each day?
Allow about 120 minutes of activity a day: its energy is boundless. Add games and training exercises to keep its mind busy too.
Is the Belgian Groenendael good with children?
Fairly well, preferably with children old enough to respect its limits. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the Belgian Groenendael live?
Life expectancy is 12 to 14 years, and the breed is hardy. The main health problems to watch for are epilepsy, as well as hip and elbow dysplasia.
