The Belgian Laekenois, a once-celebrated canine known for its sheep herding prowess, is now on the brink of vanishing from existence. A woman has taken to TikTok, channelling her enthusiasm into creating captivating videos about the obscure Belgian Laekenois (pronounced “Lak-in-wah”).
This devoted dog lover, known as @TheDoomydogs on TikTok, uses her social media presence not only to show off her splendid Laekenois but also to spread the word about the breed’s precarious situation. As the rarest among the four Belgian Shepherd varieties, the Belgian Laekenois garners special attention. The push for safeguarding this breed is gaining momentum, underscored by the American Kennel Club’s acknowledgement in 2020 and endeavours to set up conscientious breeding initiatives to preserve these canines’ lineage.
Sadly, it seems that just a few thousand Belgian Laekenois exist globally, with some estimates pegging the number at around 1,000, marking them as exceptionally scarce. In the United States alone, the population is thought to hover around a mere 200 dogs.
The Belgian Laekenois is gaining more recognition, thanks to ParadePets’ series of videos showcasing these lively dogs at play, work, and during bonding moments. The initiative aims to raise awareness about the declining numbers of this breed, as reported by the Irish Star.
As one of the four Belgian Shepherd dog types, the Belgian Laekenois may seem somewhat familiar. However, they are distinct from their Malinois, Tervuren, and Sheepdog relatives due to their unique rough, wiry, and curly coats, typically in red or fawn shades, sometimes with black speckles.
Named after the town of Laeken, which played a significant role in their development, these dogs were traditionally bred for roles such as herding and hunting, and even served as messenger dogs in both World Wars. The medium-to-large-sized Laekenois dogs require careful grooming due to their distinctive coats and need a solid two hours of daily exercise.
@TheDoomydogs has cautioned that if these dogs aren’t mentally stimulated and kept busy, they will find ways to entertain themselves, which might not always be ideal. While the high-maintenance breed isn’t suitable for everyone, owners have lauded the Lakenois for its many positive traits, including being protective, loyal, affectionate, and intelligent.
However, their need for mental engagement and robust work ethic can make them quite a handful. Despite their strong protective instincts, they have a low prey drive but are still susceptible to biting.
If not given enough exercise, Laekenois may start herding people or other animals. They tend to be more alert and watchful during the night, keenly evaluating potential dangers.
The breed was standardised in the late 19th century and has since grown in popularity. Today, the Belgian Laekenois serves various roles, from family pets to service dogs.
It’s believed that Belgian Queen Marie Henriette had a particular affection for the breed, enjoying watching them work with shepherds in fields guarding flocks and herds.
Besides protecting livestock, Laekenois were also assigned to guard linen drying in fields, highlighting their protective instincts.
