Belgian Sheepdog

Look at this dog! Isn't she beautiful? Sheena is another breed in the line of herders with multiple skill sets. If I had to compare her to a human, I'd say Sheena has the intelligence of a three-year old; I should probably mention that she is just as stubbornly determined, too! One thing I really do love about her is her protective nature. For us, she is a policewoman and guardian. Actually, the Belgian Sheepdog was used widely for that purpose during WWII.

We don't work her as a herder: for us, Sheena is a great companion dog. But she didn't come to us that way. It was a lot of work to socialize her from the time we got her. The practical advice I would offer is that when training your Belgian Sheepdog, be careful not to be too stern because they become very stubborn and obstinate if you're too demanding. The trick is to be firm, but with a kind and patient hand. You'll love the results if you follow my training advice.

Watch that your puppy doesn't display excessive shyness. This will lead to a very timid adult as they mature. On the other hand, be sure to ask your breeder about your pup's dominant nature. High alpha pups may be best suited for a true herding environment where they can be 'working' dogs. A reputable breeder will ask your purposes and goals and steer you to the right puppy. Since we wanted a compaion dog, we purposely chose a pup that was 'neutral' in dominace. I also found out what the personality of her mother was, which helped gauge at least half of Sheena's genetic tendencies.

With a commitment to their upbringing, these dogs grow up to be well-rounded and stable companions. As they mature, they should never be left alone for long periods of time, since bad habits can develop quickly out of boredom. Keep them busy, give them love and attention and this breed can be a very loyal companion indeed. In spite of their size, Belgian Sheepdogs can adapt to city or apartment life, but without a backyard you'll be committing yourself to getting them their daily exercise, and they do need plenty of that. Plan on daily walks or runs in the park, games of fetch, jogs around the neighborhood, the whole works.

This breed loves to interact with its owner so be attentive to this need. As I mentioned in the beginning about this dog having multiple skill sets, one you may want to develop is their talent for search and rescue. Their build and stamina make them ideal for this kind of work.

This is a beautiful breed that is often not appreciated to the full - be sure to appreciate yours.