Collection: Personalised Belgian Laekenois Gifts

The Laekenois is the rarest variety of the Belgian Shepherd breed. There aren’t many physical differences between the four types, except for their coat type and colour. For example, this pooch has a harsh and wiry coat that is either red or fawn, often with a black mask. The Laekenois is named after the Château de Laeken, the royal palace of Belgium, where they were treasured pets of the royal family!

America classifies each variety as a separate breed, but most places, including the UK, see each of the four Shepherd dogs as a type of Belgian Shepherd.

When you first think of Belgium, its infamous chocolate is likely to come to mind. It is responsible for a significant chunk of the country's economy and is one of its main exports. Successful cattle farming is, therefore, an important business. Belgian Shepherds play an active role in this by herding and guarding cattle, indirectly helping Belgium master its wonderful chocolate! The Laekenois also helped out by guarding precious linen that was typical of the region.

In the late 1800s, Professor Reul split the breed into four standardised types, using a sample of over 100. By the 20th century, word of the breed had spread across the globe - they pulled ambulance carts for the British Red Cross in the First World War and now guard the White House!

Intentionally bred to have a serious, hard-working character, these dogs were never designed to be affectionate companion pets. This doesn’t mean that they aren’t suited to that role, though! The Laekenois is more dominant than the other varieties so their owner must be comfortable in its training ability. They are intelligent, and it’s in their nature to protect their family. They are constantly on the watch for danger. If you are a first-time dog owner, this breed might not be for you, as they are high maintenance and demand regular long walks! (Even when the weather is stormy and miserable)