Belgian Laekenois

The Belgian Laekenois does well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially made or home-prepared with your veterinarian's supervision and approval. Match the diet to the dog's life stage, whether puppy, adult, or senior, and keep clean, fresh water available at all times.

Keeping your dog at a healthy weight matters, since some dogs gain weight more easily than others. Use a measuring cup to portion food and prevent overfeeding, and watch overall calorie intake. Treats help with training, but keep them to no more than 10 percent of daily calories.

Learn which human foods are safe for dogs and which are not. Your veterinarian is a good source for nutrition and feeding guidance, and the right person to ask if you have any questions about your dog's weight or diet.

The rough, wiry Laekenois coat needs regular weekly brushing, with the occasional bath to keep your dog clean. Over-bathing damages the coat's texture, so keep baths occasional. This coat type should be hand-stripped once or twice a year and never scissored, cut, or clipped.

The Laekenois has strong, fast-growing nails. Trim them regularly with a clipper or grinder to avoid overgrowth, splitting, and cracking, since nails that get too long can be painful and make running or walking harder.

Check the ears regularly to clear any buildup of wax and debris. Brush the teeth regularly too, and build good dental habits with at-home brushing and veterinarian-approved dental chews from time to time.

The Belgian Laekenois will not be happy sitting around and cannot be left alone in the yard. Eager to please, it wants to be with its people and thrives on an active lifestyle with plenty of work to do.

As a working breed, the Laekenois needs daily exercise to stay physically and mentally fit. Long walks and play sessions in the yard help meet those needs.

These dogs also enjoy showing off their athletic ability in activities such as agility, dock diving, tracking, herding, and rally, which give them an outlet for both energy and mental focus.

Socialization and puppy-training classes matter most early on. They promote good behavior, head off bad habits before they form, and strengthen the bond between puppy and owner. Because these working dogs are typically reserved with strangers, start socialization early and keep up frequent, positive meet-and-greet sessions.

Belgian Laekenois are intelligent, eager to please, and take to training quickly. They respond well to steady positive reinforcement and varied, engaging sessions.

The Laekenois needs consistent, ongoing training, ideally from an experienced pet parent.