Belgian Sheepdogs

One authority writing of the Belgian Sheepdog described him as one of the finest all around pure-bred dogs that can be found anywhere in the world. Whatever he does, he does well and to top it off, he need not occupy a seat in the corner when beauty is being judged." 

There are eight coat varieties, but only two are common to America. They are the Groenendael, a long-haired black dog, and the Malinois, a short-haired brindle fawn with black mask. The others, to be found in  Continental Europe, are a long-coated fawn dog called the Tervueren; a short-coated, other-than-fawn variety called de Laeken, and two wire-haired kinds. In the show-ring, all are judged on the same standard, the variations being in the matter of coat texture and colour.

You can read about "Alaskan Malamute" here

The Groenendael is the youngest and most distinctive of the varieties. It bears a slight re-semblance to the smaller Schipperke and both breeds may go back to the Leauvenaar, an old sheepdog. The Malinois could be mistaken for a German Shepherd. However, they are quite distinct in height, body structure and bone. 

The Belgian stands about 23 inches and the male weighs about 53 pounds. His work and natural environment have produced a dog of great endurance and ability to stand all sorts of weather. 

American soldiers returning from World War I brought news of the isle to the Groenendaels United States. They spoke highly of the black Belgian Army dogs and the breed enjoyed a vogue here for a while, but it declined through importations of inferior dogs. There has been an effort to revive interest since the end of World War II. Fine specimens have appeared.

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