There are several varieties of Belgian Shepherd. And one of them is Groenendael - a breed of dogs that has become famous not only in Belgium. These animals are very popular in many European countries due to their external charm, cheerful good-natured disposition and devotion.
Breed description
These dogs are distinguished by their amazing beauty and article. Outwardly resembling a wolf, Groenendael has a black silky and dense coat with a dense undercoat. Thicker on the neck, it resembles a chic frill, and forms beautiful tows on the hips and tail.
A straight back, a tightened stomach, a proudly set head and well-developed muscles give the image a very harmonious look. Height at the withers is from 58 to 63 centimeters, weight - about 30 kg. One of the requirements for the exterior is brown eyes (the darker the better), as well as erect, rounded ears. It is considered acceptable in the color to have a small white tie on the chest and the same footprints.
Everyone who sees this shepherd dog at least once will certainly have a desire to learn in more detail what kind of dog the Groenendael is. Photos captivate them and amaze with the amazing beauty and power of animals.
Origin of breed
In Belgium, shepherd dogs have existed since time immemorial. It is believed that they came from shepherd dogs imported from Central Europe and crossed with mastiffs and dirhounds. All of them had a different coat and color. And only in 1891, a local professor of the faculty of veterinary medicine described several varieties of this breed and proposed to distinguish breed standards depending on the length of the coat and color.
Thus, a black semi-long-haired Belgian shepherd was identified , called the Groenendael named after a place near Brussels, where the dog breeder Nicholas Roz was engaged in breeding and improving this breed for many years. Later, they began to breed these dogs in many other cities of Belgium, and only by 1910 did the standards finally form, to which the breed of Groenendael dogs still complies.
Breed features
These dogs are distinguished by an athletic muscular physique and versatile abilities, which requires certain classes to educate the dog. From an early age, they strive to protect their territory and protect the owner. Groenendael is a human-oriented dog breed. Therefore, they need constant communication, joint walks and daily training.
These dogs are happy to play the role of companion and become a member of the family. So putting such a shepherd in a kennel is not entirely prudent. Groenendael dogs easily adapt to new conditions and become very attached to their owner, as an example of dog loyalty.
Character
During the development of the breed, one of the selection criteria was intelligence, due to which these dogs are endowed with excellent mental abilities and excellent memory. They are very helpful, able to quickly and easily learn any tricks. Being descendants of shepherd dogs, they strive to take under their guardianship the weakest member of the family, who are everywhere accompanied (grazed) and are ready to protect if necessary.
The breed of dogs Groenendael is endowed with a high degree of activity and energy. Photos describing the characteristics of the Belgian shepherd dogs and their behavior during training and training show how mobile, graceful and fast they are. Such dogs are completely unsuitable for keeping on a leash. They should receive a daily load, be constantly in work and movement. Staying idle for a long time can cause a surge of energy directed in an undesirable direction.
Groenendael is a breed of dog with a special devotion to its owner. They get along well with children and other pets. But they can be aggressive towards other people's dogs and tend to chase cats.
Using
Although the breed was bred as a shepherd, today these dogs are almost never used for grazing cattle. But they show their instinct very well if they fall into conditions where they can observe the herd. When breeding these shepherd dogs, great attention was paid to the results of competitions and exhibitions, therefore many representatives of the Groenendael breed take prizes in such disciplines as shepherd’s service, ring, agility, etc.
The working qualities of these dogs are very popular in many activities. They are used in the army and police, often preferring to German shepherds. Perform the functions of a nanny and keep an eye on the children, search for and detain criminals, participate in search and rescue operations and carry out guard duty - a job that the breed of Groenendael dogs can easily cope with.
Dog care
Keeping dogs of this breed is not particularly troublesome. Animals are very unpretentious, thick long hair makes it easy to tolerate any weather conditions. Therefore, the dog can live peacefully both in the apartment and on the street. But the best conditions for her are living in a country house. Long walks, daily physical activity are very important for representatives of this breed.
Wool requires daily combing to exclude the appearance of tangles. This is especially true with the onset of the molting period, which happens once a year. The departed undercoat is combed out very easily, which makes grooming completely burdensome for the owner. Groenendael is a breed of dog that should not be bathed unless there is an urgent need for it. Their wool is quite hard and silky, so the dirt sticks to it, but when dried, it crumbles very easily, leaving almost no residue.
Food
Dogs of this breed require a variety of food products. Even meat must be combined with other components. For the full development, the shepherd needs protein (it is found in large quantities in such products as milk, meat, eggs, fish), carbohydrates (cereals, bakery products) and fats in the form of butter and vegetable oil.
When feeding a dog with natural products, do not forget about vitamins and mineral supplements. Overfeeding the animal is unacceptable, as this threatens with serious diseases of the liver and heart. Also, do not give too many bones and fatty foods, this can cause allergic reactions.
Parenting and care
Groenendael dogs are very active, so if you do not educate them, you can encounter a lot of troubles and complaints from neighbors. Therefore, from the first days of the appearance of a puppy in the house, it is necessary to devote enough time and attention to him, educating and teaching the rules of behavior. This breed, as we have already mentioned, needs maximum communication with the owner, and it can take place in a variety of forms. The most diverse types of activity require the breed of dogs Groenendael.
How to train your pet so that development is comprehensive? There are quite a few tricks in the form of a game, searching for various things, etc. The main thing is that the dog does it with pleasure, being rude and cruel to him will only cause distrust of the owner. With excellent memory and a high degree of obedience, these dogs easily grasp commands and quickly understand what is required of them. Congenital sensitivity and alertness allow them to be used as watchmen. Easily trained for reliable protection against uninvited guests and for formal protection in the form of a voice breed of dog Groenendael.
Proper care of the dog, work on its upbringing and training will allow you to get great pleasure and pleasure from the presence of this four-legged friend in your house. Long walks in the fresh air with such a companion and active games will make life more interesting and varied.