Care Tips for the Belgian Sheepdog

The Belgian sheepdog is a hard-working, easily-trainable dog. They are smart and built for working on farms. However, that is not all these dogs are good for. They are sensitive and love having human companions. If you are looking for a dog that will be committed to you and your family, this might be the dog you want.

Basics of the Belgian Shepherd Sheepdog

The Belgian shepherd sheepdog has a muscular and elegant body. They are very determined in just about everything they do. Most Tervuren and other Belgian shepherd dogs carry themselves well when walking. It almost looks as if they think they run the family.

The males generally stand about 26 inches tall from their feet to the top of their shoulders. The females are usually a little bit smaller than that. They have dark eyes and a dark coat. 

When it comes to activities and sports, the Malinois puppy and other Belgian shepherd dogs give it their all. They can play for quite a while before they tire. If you are looking to build a strong bond with your new puppy or dog, the Belgian shepherd would be perfect for you. They inspire loyalty, love, and commitment. 

Now that you know more about the basics of Belgian shepherd dogs, it is time to learn more about how to care for this dog breed. 

Nutrition Care Tips for Belgian Sheepdogs 

The first tips that you will need when caring for a Tervuren or other Belgian shepherd dog are for nutrition. It is important to feed these dogs high-quality dog food.

It can be home-prepared or commercially purchased, but it should be top-quality. It might even be a good idea to ask your dog’s veterinarian what type of dog food they should have. 

The other thing to keep in mind when feeding your Malinois puppy or other Belgian sheepdog is to give them food that is made for their age. For instance, if you have a 12 week old Malinois puppy, you should be giving them high-quality puppy food. If you have a 5-year-old Belgian shepherd, you would give them adult dog food. 

There are many high-quality treats you can get for your Belgian shepherd, as well. These are great for training. However, they shouldn’t be overused. 

Last, but not least, your Belgian shepherd should always have clean water available. This will help to keep them hydrated. 

Grooming Care Tips for a Belgian Sheperd

If you are planning to get a Belgian shepherd, there are some grooming care tips that you may need to know about, as well.

This dog breed has a double-layered coat. They have a thick undercoat and a hard overcoat, as well. The good news is that the coat of this dog breed is pretty easy to care for most of the year. As long as you are brushing your Malinois puppy or another type of Belgian shepherd dog once a week that should prevent their coat from getting matted.

It should also help to keep shedding to a minimum. It is important to note that Belgian shepherd dogs will shed a lot once a year. During this time of year, they will need to be brushed daily to keep up on the dead hair. 

You will also need to bathe your Belgian shepherd about once every 1-2 months. If they happen to get dirtier before that, they may need a bath earlier. 

The final grooming care tip is for the nails. If you have a Tervuren or other Belgian shepherd, you should make sure to regularly trim their nails. This will help to prevent them from scratching anyone. It will also prevent their paws from getting sore.

Exercise Needs for the Malinois Puppy and Other Belgian Sheepdogs

If you have any dogs in your home, you will need to ensure they are getting enough exercise. The Belgian shepherd needs quite a bit of exercise daily. Also, since they need quality time with humans, just putting them outside on their own for a few hours won’t be good enough.

You must be with them during their exercise time. This could include going for a walk, playing fetch, or running with them. You could do training or tricks with them, as well. 

Training Tips for the Belgian Shepherd 

The Belgian shepherd breed learns quickly. They are very smart and can catch on to new tricks and commands they are being taught. If you start training your Malinois puppy or another type of Belgian shepherd puppy early on, they will behave better as they grow up. However, even if you didn’t train the puppy early or you got an older Belgian shepherd, they can still be trained.

As long as you are committed to the training, it can be done. The two most important training tips are consistency and keeping the training sessions short. If they are too long, your dog will likely get bored. 

Conclusion

These are some of the best care tips for Beglian sheepdogs. Do you plan to adopt a Belgian shepherd? Whether you are getting a puppy or an adult Belgian shepherd, these tips can help you to provide them with the best care. 

Are black Belgian malinois rare?

It is important to know first and foremost that the FCI doesn’t currently recognize the black color as a Belgian Malinois. However, you can still get these dogs from breeders and other places. In many places, the black Belgian Malinois is quite rare, especially when they are solid black.

Are Belgian malinois aggressive?

The Belgian Malinois is not typically aggressive. They love having a human companion and will spend a lot of time with you. With this being said, if they feel it is necessary, they will protect their owner.

What is a malinois?

A Malinois is a Belgian sheepdog that is medium-sized. They look a bit like German Shepherds. The Malinois has shorter hair and is usually fawn-colored. They do have black on their face. These are 1 of the 4 Belgian sheepdog breeds.