Dog Breed Guide

Belgian Gronendael

Profile

Size

Medium - Large

Country of origin

Belgium

Origin

19th century

Bred for

Sheep herding, Police dog, Working dog

Height

male 60 - 66cm (24 - 26in), female 56 - 62cm (22 - 24in)

Weight

male 25 - 30kg (55 - 66lb), female 20 - 25kg (44 - 55lb)

Life span

12 - 14 years

The long-haired, solid black variety of the four types of Belgian Shepherd Dog. The full ruff around the neck and the slender, elegant build are beautiful, and its erect ears and intelligent expression are striking.

The Groenendael is extremely intelligent and sensitive, and deeply loving and loyal toward its family. It reads its owner's feelings keenly and always wants to be by their side doing something together. It is cautious with strangers and has the makings of a fine watchdog.

It is very active and needs plenty of exercise and jobs that make it think. It excels at agility, obedience and other dog sports. The long coat needs brushing several times a week, and it sheds heavily during shedding season.

Good to know

In 1891, Professor Adolphe Reul of the veterinary school in Cureghem, Belgium, gathered and studied sheepdogs from around the country. He found that although they were very similar in build, they varied widely in coat length and color. This led to dividing the single Belgian Shepherd Dog into four types according to coat length and color.

The man who developed the black long-haired type was Nicolas Rose, who lived in Groenendael, on the outskirts of Brussels. The descendants of his two black long-haired dogs, Picard d'Uccle and Petite, became the foundation of this type. The breed is named after Groenendael, where Rose lived.

The American Kennel Club treats the four types as separate breeds and calls this one the Belgian Sheepdog. In World War I these dogs served as messenger and ambulance dogs.