LargeHerding Group

Belgian Sheepdog

The Belgian Sheepdog — known in Europe as the Groenendael — is the long-coated black variety of the Belgian Shepherd Dog family.

Calculate Belgian Sheepdog age

Lifespan13 yrrange 12–14

SizeLargeHerding Group

Weight45–75 lb20.4–34 kg

Senior at6 yrgeriatric at 10

Gallery (3)

About

About the Belgian Sheepdog

The Belgian Sheepdog — known in Europe as the Groenendael — is the long-coated black variety of the Belgian Shepherd Dog family. Named for Groenendaal, the Belgian village where the type was standardized in the 1890s.

Aging

How Belgian Sheepdogs age

Not in RVC VetCompass; breed-standard estimates indicate 12-14 years. Elbow dysplasia (5.0%) and cataracts (5.1%) on OFA screens lead findings; idiopathic epilepsy and hypothyroidism are tracked as secondary concerns by the parent breed club.

Lifespan deep-diveAvg 13 yr · range 12–14 Senior careSenior at 6 · geriatric at 10 Common health issues7 tracked conditions

Physical

Physical characteristics

Weight: 45–75 lb(20.4–34 kg)
Height: 22–26 in(55.9–66 cm)
Coat type: Long
Colors: BlackBlack & WhiteBrownFawn & BlackSableSilverSilver & BlackWolfgray & BlackBlack & CreamGray & BlackGrayFawn

Temperament

How Belgian Sheepdogs tend to show up around their people, other dogs, and the world.

watchfulattentivesmartobedient

Energy
4/5
Trainability
5/5
Good with kids
3/5
Good with other dogs
3/5
Shedding
3/5

Health

Common health issues

Full health profile

Moderatetypical onset ~2 yr
Elbow Dysplasia
Description and veterinary guidance for Elbow Dysplasia land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.
Moderatetypical onset ~7 yr
Cataracts
Description and veterinary guidance for Cataracts land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.
Moderatetypical onset ~5 yr
Periodontal Disease
Description and veterinary guidance for Periodontal Disease land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.