But the Belgian Laekenois had three. She was expected to herd sheep at the Royal Castle of Laeken; she was expected to guard fields of flax in Flanders (a crop grown for use in the linen industry, and the world’s only natural fiber harvested, grown and cultivated in Western Europe), and she was expected to protect valuable Belgian linens bleaching and drying in the fields from thieves hoping to make a small harvest for themselves. The breed’s tireless easy gait, and inclination to move in a circle or curve rather than a straight line made these tasks easy for the Laekenois (prouounced Lak-in-Wah).
The breed’s job would morph over time as its versatility was applied in police and military work, and, of course, as a wonderful companion for the family that does its homework.
Image of Righel, a nine month old Laekenois, from Wikipedia under public domain license
Here is Cort, an eight-month old Belgian Laekenois that I am training to be my service dog.
John, he’s wonderful! How did you come to come to own a Laekenois?
I was interested in the Belgians for size, health, temperament, and biddability. I decided on the Laekenois due to its coat and my belief that less common breeds tend to have fewer health and temperament problems that crop up when a breed becomes popular. I have been very impressed with Cort’s intelligence and we have become very bonded. We start our formal service dog training with IDEA Service Dogs in September. Cort is currently 35.8 pounds and about 22″ tall.
He’s wonderful, John. Is he an import?
No, Suzanne Wright and Amanda E. Smith of Florida are his breeders. I contacted a breeder in Portugal and he put me in with them. His parents are imports from the Portuguese breeder. Cort takes after his sire in appearance. I read an article that the less curly muzzle is more like the original Belgian Laekenois and that the curlier hair is a result of adding Briad to the breed.
Fascinating stuff, John. How does your Laek compare, do you think, with the other Belgian Shepherds? I would suspect few breeds could match the “energizer bunny” stamina of the Malinois, but in other regards?
I expect the Laekenois and the Malinois are pretty similar. The Laekenois is the original Belgian sheepdog. The other varieties are crosses with it. The Tervuren and Shepherd are supposed to be a little calmer.
Cort is intelligent and figures out puzzles fairly quickly. He loves to play fetch with me at home and will even search for a toy that is in a different part of the house. He has the grip of a vice, even as a puppy. His jaws and teeth are very powerful and can make short work of toys and ropes. He is also good at entertaining himself.
I took him swimming with a life vest on and he quickly started using his back legs. He even jumped in from the side of the pool one time.
Laekenois is a versatile breed that is being used in many sports, including Dock Diving and Barn Hunts. I know of one other Laekenois service dog and expect Cort to dependably handle his duties with care and poise.
We hope you keep us apprised of Cort’s development and progress, John. We feel like we’re really getting to know your dog!
Are you sure? Looks like a Malinois to me
It stands to reason that they’re similar, Lisa, being “cousins” as they are, but the coat is the giveaway. Mals don’t have that texture…..
I know his parents. Cort looks like his sire. His dam has the curly face. The curly face is from a group crossing Briard into the breed. Cort is growing into his Laekenois coat but will always have a smooth muzzle. The Laekenois coat is longer, coarser, and more tousled than the Malinois.
Laeken puppies can come from a Malinois litter