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Belgian Shepherd Dog (also know as the Belgian Sheepdog or Chien de Berger Belge) can refer to any of four breeds of dog: the Groenendael, the Laekenois, the Tervueren, or the Malinois. In some regions, these are considered four different varieties of a single breed; in other regions, they are considered a single breed.
The Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) is the most popular variety of the Belgian Shepherd Dog breeds. The Groenendael is recognized by all major kennel clubs. In the United States it is recognized under the name Belgian Shepherd Dog or as the Belgian Sheepdog.
The Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) is a breed of dog, sometimes classified as a variety of the Belgian Shepherd Dog rather than as a separate breed. The Laekenois is not fully recognized in the United States.
The Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) (IPA: [ˈmælɪnËŒwÉ‘Ë]) is a breed of dog, sometimes classified as a variety of the Belgian Shepherd Dog rather than as a separate breed. The Malinois is recognized in the United States under the name Belgian Malinois. Its name is the French word for Mechlinian, which is in Dutch either 'Mechels' (from Mechelen) or 'Mechelaar' (one from Mechelen).
The Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervueren) is a breed of dog, sometimes classified as a variety of the Belgian Shepherd Dog rather than as a separate breed. The Tervueren is recognized in the United States by the AKC under the name Belgian Tervuren. In Canada, the Canadian Kennel Club recognizes the Tervueren as a variety of the Belgian Shepherd Dog (prior to 2005, Belgian Shepherd Dogs were called Belgian Sheepdogs).
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