The name, Belgian Shepard Dogs can be used to refer to four different breeds or types of dog, depending on individual kennel club recognition. In the United States, the American Kennel Club (AKC) for example, recognizes the Groenendael as the Belgian Sheepdog. Two of the other types, the Tervuren and Malinois also have full recognition. The Australian National Kennel Club (ANKC) sees them as four individual breeds, while most of the remaining kennel clubs, including the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI), classify them simply as different verities of the Belgian Shepherd Dog.

The most common of the Belgium Shepherds is the longhaired black Groenendael. The Tervuren resembles the Groenendael so closely that they only differ in coat colors, having a brown and black coat. Laekenois have a harsh, medium length coat that is brown or tan in color. Lastly, is the short coat Malinois, which has markings that greatly resembles the German Shepherd Dog and the Tervuren, only with short fur.

In their homeland of Belgium all four varieties of the Belgium Shepherd Dogs are recognized as one breed under the FCI, and although they do vary greatly in appearance the general build and size of these dogs are similar. They are so alike that it is possible to breed two dogs of the same type, for example the Groenendael, and produce different types in the same litter, such as the sudden appearance of a black and brown Tervuren. In countries where the dogs are viewed as different breeds of Belgian Shepherd Dogs rather than type this can create an issue for the breeder.

On the following pages you will find information on each of the Belgian Shepherd Dogs individually. Each one will vary in appearance and originates from a different region in Belgium. Once almost strictly used for sheep herding these hardworking, intelligent dogs have been found to excel at other tasks.

Groenendael	Malinois
Laekenois	Tervuren