Groenendael

by Kate Barrington

Published: May 29th, 2019

About Groenendael

Height

22-26 inches

Weight

60-75 lbs

Lifespan

10-14 years

Group

AKC Belgian Sheepdog

Best Suited For

active singles, active families, house with a yard, experienced dog owners

Temperament

intelligent, trainable, protective, territorial

Comparable Breeds

Belgian Shepherd, Dutch Shepherd

Groenendael Basics

With his solid black coat, athletic build, and bright temperament, the Groenendael sets himself apart from other breeds. Developed for herding in Belgium, this breed of dog is very smart and trainable, but they do require an experienced dog owner who will maintain a firm and consistent hand in training. The Groenendael is a natural protective and territorial breed, but they can do well with children when properly socialized and they make good family pets as long as their exercise requirements are met.

With his solid black coat, athletic build, and bright temperament, the Groenendael sets himself apart from other breeds.

Origin

While the name Groenendael may not ring any bells, the name Belgian Shepherd might. The Belgian Shepherd is a medium- to large-sized herding breed that originated in Belgium during the 1800s. Foundation stock was gathered from several different areas which resulted in the development of four distinct varieties for the breed: Malinois, Tervuren, Laekenois, and Groenendael. The Groenendael can be distinguished from the other varieties by its long, double coat that typically comes in solid black. Though recognized as a separate breed in some non-FCI countries, the AKC currently recognizes the Groenendael under the name Belgian Sheepdog.

Pedigree

The Groenendael is one of four varieties of Belgian Shepherd and was developed from various herding breeds in the Groenendael region of Belgium including the Dutch Shepherd, German Shepherd, and the Briard.

Food/Diet

There are two things to consider when choosing a diet for your Groenendael. First, you must remember that he is a large-breed dog based on the fact that his adult size is over 50 pounds. Second, remember that he is a herding breed and therefore has high needs for exercise and energy. You should choose a high-quality large-breed dog food for your Groenendael or an active/working breed formula. As long as this dog gets adequate exercise, obesity shouldn’t be a problem.

The Groenendael is a highly intelligent breed that has the potential to respond very well to training.

Training

The Groenendael is a highly intelligent breed that has the potential to respond very well to training. These dogs do require a high degree of socialization, however, and it should be started at a very young age. While you might not be able to teach advanced obedience to your Groenendael puppy, you can still start with the basics very early on and then maintain a firm and consistent hand in leadership and training throughout the dog’s life. These dogs enjoy close interaction with family and may be more likely to bond with their trainer, but they can still do well as a family pet. When it comes to training, use plenty of positive reinforcement and try to keep the training sessions short and fun so your dog doesn’t lose interest and develop a habit of ignoring you.

Weight

The Groenendael is a medium- to large-sized dog, standing 22 to 26 inches tall and weighing 60 to 75 pounds. Females of the breed are slightly smaller than males.

Temperament/Behavior

The Groenendael is an alert and sensitive breed – he always knows what’s going on around him and he can be very protective of his family and his territory. These dogs form very strong bonds with family and they can be very affectionate and playful as well. The Groenendael tends to get along well with other dogs and is generally friendly toward strangers – they also tend to do well with children. Keep in mind, however, that this breed has a very high prey drive so he may not be the best choice for a family with cats or other small pets. He doesn’t tend to bark or howl, but he will roam if he gets the chance to make sure your yard is fenced in.

Common Health Problems

As a larger dog, the Groenendael is prone to health problems such as musculoskeletal issues and bloat. This breed in particular may also be at risk for cataracts, epilepsy, thyroid disease, progressive retinal atrophy, and pannus.

Life Expectancy

The average lifespan for the Groenendael is 10 to 14 years.

Exercise Requirements

The Groenendael is a very active breed and he is likely to become destructive in the house if his daily exercise needs aren’t met. These dogs need at least an hour of moderate to vigorous activity on a daily basis and they will appreciate having a fenced yard in which to run and play.

The Groenendael is an alert and sensitive breed.

Recognized Clubs

The Groenendael is currently recognized by the AKC under the name Belgian Sheepdog.

Coat

The Groenendael has a thick double coat that comes in solid black. The undercoat is soft and fine while the outer layer is long and coarse in texture. The overall coat texture is thick, stiff, and tight – it is designed to withstand the elements. Though solid black is the primary coloration, some dogs have small white markings on the toes or chest. Frequent brushing is recommended for this breed to control shedding and to prevent the longer fur from matting.

Puppies

The average litter size for the Groenendael is 6 to 10 puppies. Because this breed can develop a tendency toward independence, it is recommended that you start puppies with training and socialization as early as possible. You should also make sure to feed your Groenendael puppy a large-breed puppy formula to prevent him from growing too fast. Overgrowth at a young age can predispose a dog to musculoskeletal issues in adulthood.

Photo credit: icemanphotos/Shutterstock

Kate Barrington

Kate Barrington is the loving owner of two cats (Bagel and Munchkin) and a noisy herd of guinea pigs. Having grown up with golden retrievers, Kate has a great deal of experience with dogs but labels herself a lover of all pets. Having received a Bachelor's degree in English, Kate has combined her love for pets and her passion for writing to create her own freelance writing business, specializing in the pet niche.

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Ferrets are well-known for their playful personalities and mischievous antics – and who can resist their adorable faces? As a result, they have become an increasingly popular choice for pets. However, before you invite one of these energetic critters into your home, it’s essential to understand their unique needs! In this guide, I’ll explore the pros and cons of ferret ownership, including questions to ask yourself to determine if a ferret is the right pet for you. Plus, if you’re ready to move forward with your new pet, we’ll help you identify what to look for in a healthy ferret and the steps to take to prepare your home for your new furry friend’s arrival. Ferret Basics: Things You Should Know Before Getting a Ferret Before researching where to find your new friend, let’s step back and start with the basics. What will your new ferret require for a happy, healthy life? Are you prepared to meet those needs? 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When you end a relationship, things can get messy – even more so when you have a pet whose ownership you share with your ex. Your pooch shouldn’t be affected by the new state of things, though, which is why Rover.com created the “ PrePup Checklist”, specifically for this reason – to help couples that want a pet together consider what they would to ensure their dog’s well-being do in case their relationship doesn’t work out. The classic prenuptial agreement requires couples to think ahead and consider what would happen to their shared assets, specifically in the case of the death of a spouse or divorce. Similarly, Rover’s “PrePup Checklist” helps couples to consider how the shared responsibilities of pet ownership would be handled if – somewhere down the line – they were to split up. Of course, in difference to the prenuptial agreement, the “PrePup Checklist” is not a legally binding contract. Kristina Bergsten of The Animal Law Firm advises those who look to protect their pets legally to add “some paragraphs about who any pets belong to or what you're going to do if you adopt a pet during the marriage" to a prenuptial agreement. In August 2023, Bergsten told PEOPLE that if pets are not mentioned in a prenup, “the property settlement agreement will determine who gets the pet” in a divorce. And now, the “PrePup Checklist” wants to avoid making couples rely on property agreements so they can determine what happens to their pets during a divorce. Rover came to the idea of the checklist after conducting a survey that revealed that 56% of pet owners never discussed with their partner who would get the pet if they broke up.Rover’s checklist starts with prompts specifically asking owners to assign responsibilities for each “pet parent”. For example, who would be in charge of the walking schedule, and who would be in charge of the feeding, etc.The second part of this agreement asks new couples to consider “having difficult conversations about the future”, which includes the splitting of financial responsibilities of pet ownership, and deciding who the pet will live with in case of an eventual breakup."It's important for couples to elevate animal well-being and commit to co-parenting in healthy ways for the health and well-being of their dogs. It is widely recognized in animal welfare science that dogs and other animals can self-regulate and find innate strategies for coping with stress and anxiety when they are feeling safe, secure, and familiar with their social relationships," said Philip Tedeschi, a professor, and researcher on the human-animal bond who works with Rover."One of the most prominent indicators of their sense of security comes from their proximity to other members of the family. Having conversations about the future and what may happen if there is a disruption to a pet's life would benefit them, offer predictability, and keep them close to the ones they connect with," he added.The PrePup Checklist also includes a place where the couple’s new pet can “cosign” on anything that was discussed and agreed upon. The ultimate goal of Rover is to strengthen the bond between couples, but also between pets and their new owners.

ACANA™ Pet Food Team Announces Nationwide Kitten Cuddler Promotion

Are you the next champion kitten cuddler? Because ACANA™ is looking for one! Their latest campaign is aimed at supporting  cat shelters, which can be overwhelmed with newborn kittens during increased birth rates amongst cats. In a bid to help, ACANA™ will help both shelters and kittens in the critical stages – from arrival to adoption. ACANA™, the pet food specialists, are preparing for the upcoming “kitten season”, attempting to increase public awareness of just how much work shelters could have during this time. In their latest effort, not only will they be donating cat food to the shelters, but they will also be offering $10,000 to one lucky cat lover to do nothing more but cuddle with kittens at a  Best Friends Animal Society center. They do this in hopes of encouraging others to volunteer as “kitten cuddlers”. Hopefully, their efforts will lead to increased adoptions of kittens, and completely eliminate the killing of unadopted cats and dogs in America, a goal to which Best Friends Animal Society is wholly dedicated to. And now, the help is needed the most. The so-called “ kitten season” spans from May to November, and it is the time of the year when female cats have most of their kittens. During this period, many animal shelters report a great influx of kittens that need care and adoption. It goes without saying that caring for a large number of gentle and fragile kitties is a labor-consuming and very challenging job. A shelter’s resources and staff can be very strained in this period, so all the help they can get is more than welcome. The ACANA™ pet food team is well aware of this and is donating 5,000 cases of wet kitten food in Apri. This is equivalent to about $250,000 at retail prices and comes to roughly 120,000 meals for kittens. Not only this, but the team also encourages everyone to volunteer at their local shelters and help with the many tasks surrounding kitten care. And a very important task is, of course, cuddling! Kitties are fragile and require constant care and all the love and warmth they can get. It is because of this need that ACANA™ will reward one person with $10,000 to cuddle kittens! The lucky winner will spend half a day at a Best Friends Animal Society lifesaving center, or a chosen network partner shelter this June. For their cuddling efforts, they will receive $10,000. "We believe in the total well-being of cats," said Billy Frey, Vice President, Marketing for Champion Petfoods. "ACANA™ pet food helps cats thrive through every stage of life, and a cat's earliest days set the tone for everything that follows. This program demonstrates our commitment to taking care of both the emotional and nutritional needs of kittens."The rules of the contest are straightforward. The prospective kitten cuddlers must be U.S. residents, and aged 18 or over. Needless to say, they must love kittens and have four hours available over one weekend in June 2024. Easy, yes? Additionally, contestants must pass a background check and cannot be in a partnership with a competing pet food brand. For a chance to be selected, you can enter the contest between March 27th through April 10th, 2024. Cuddlers, good luck!

Dog Parents Assume Signs of Disease Are Signs of Aging

Being able to recognize the signs of illness in your dog is important, as it can help you get them the care they need sooner rather than later. But, according to researchers at the University of Liverpool, it’s common for pet parents to look at changes in their dogs and assume they’re merely related to normal aging rather than disease. This can cause them to ignore a serious condition that requires veterinary treatment.

Can A Dog's Tooth Abscess Heal On Its Own?

Dental hygiene is very important, both for us and for our pets. You might not know this, but a dog’s teeth are very important for their health as dental issues pave the road for all sorts of health problems down the road. The first thing to go is their diet and digestion, and from there, it is all a steep path downwards. It is because of this that every owner’s task is to keep their dog’s chompers in pristine conditions. Fail to do so, and issues can soon begin appearing.Of course, there are various issues that could be the result of subpar oral hygiene, but one of the worst dental problems for dogs is a tooth abscess. If you’ve noticed something that looks like an abscess and wonder if you can do anything to make it go away or heal on its own by yourself, you’ll be disappointed to learn that this issue requires professional treatment. A tooth abscess needs to be looked at and treated by a veterinarian.  What Causes Tooth Abscess in Dogs and How to Treat ItWhile some minor dental issues in dogs can potentially resolve on their own, a tooth abscess typically requires veterinary attention. An abscess indicates a serious infection, and without proper treatment, it can worsen and lead to numerous complications. Your veterinarian can assess the severity of the abscess and recommend appropriate treatment, which may include antibiotics, dental cleaning, and possibly tooth extraction. It's essential not to delay treatment, as dental infections can cause pain and discomfort for your dog and may even lead to systemic health issues if left untreated. However, the question still remains – what causes a tooth abscess in dogs?Dental abscesses are typically caused by bacterial infection, which can spread rapidly if not addressed promptly. Without proper treatment, the infection can affect surrounding tissues, leading to more extensive dental and oral health issues. It goes without saying that one such abscess can be very painful for your dog. It will lead to discomfort during eating, reluctance to eat or chew, excessive drooling, stress, and many other behavioral issues. If left untreated, an abscess can potentially wreak havoc on your pet. Not only can the infection spread to other parts of their body, but the nasty bacteria from the abscess can enter into the bloodstream and can ultimately affect vital organs, such as the liver, kidneys, or heart. Because of this, an abscess needs to be dealt with promptly. But how do you spot a tooth abscess? In many cases, it will be easy to spot that your pet is in discomfort. For example, you can spot changes in their eating habits. They might suddenly chew on one side only, avoid hard foods, or decline eating altogether. Another key sign is if a dog is suddenly pawing at their face as if trying to scratch themselves. Such rubbing and pawing is their attempt to alleviate the pain and discomfort they feel. You can also feel a foul odor on their breath or spot excessive drooling from the mouth. Needless to say, your dog will show signs that they are in pain, and might whimper or seem sad. In either of these cases, you should check their mouth cavity and try spotting the abscess to confirm that this is what ails them.