Belgian Laekenois
Also known as Laekenois, Belgian Shepherd Laekenois
- 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 wire-haired variety of the Belgian Shepherd Dog and the rarest of the four, the Laekenois has a rough, dry, tousled fawn coat, with subtle black shading on the muzzle and tail. It shares the liveliness, intelligence and love of work of the Malinois, the Tervuren and the Groenendael, with a reputation for being a little calmer, but it remains an active dog that needs consistent training.
History and origins
Like the other varieties, it comes from the selection carried out from 1891 by Professor Adolphe Reul among Belgian herding dogs. It is named after the royal Château of Laeken, near Brussels, where shepherds used these dogs to guard the Crown’s flocks; they were also used around Boom to watch over linen cloth laid out to bleach in the fields. Recognized within the single Belgian Shepherd Dog standard (FCI no. 15), the variety has become extremely rare: France registered only 4 with the LOF in 2025.
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
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Medium-length, wiry coat. Low shedding, low coat care. Coat colors: fawn with traces of black overlay, mainly on the muzzle and tail, 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
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Shedding
- Low, 2 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
- Good, 4 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Good, 4 out of 5
In our lists
Belgian Laekenois FAQ
How big does the Belgian Laekenois get?
The Belgian Laekenois stands 56 to 66 cm at the withers and weighs 20 to 30 kg. It is a large dog.
Does the Belgian Laekenois shed a lot?
It sheds little and its coat needs little care.
Can the Belgian Laekenois 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 Laekenois 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 Laekenois 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 Laekenois 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.
