Greyhound vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison

Greyhound vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed ComparisonGreyhound is originated from United Kingdom but Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) is originated from Belgium. Greyhound may grow 10 cm / 4 inches higher than Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael). Greyhound may weigh 10 kg / 23 pounds more than Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael). Both Greyhound and Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) has same life span. Both Greyhound and Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) has almost same litter size. Greyhound requires Low maintenance. But Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) requires High maintenance

History

greyhound - historyThe Greyhound belongs to a group of dogs known as sighthounds. This is an ancient sighthound breed dating back a few thousands years.

The dog has been bred for racing but today is also a popular pet. They’ve also been used for hunting too because of their keen eyesight and sense of smell.

In the United States there are Greyhounds registered with the American Kennel Club as well as those registered with the National Greyhound Association.

belgian shepherd dog groenendael - historyLooking much like a pitch black German Shepherd dog, the Belgian Shepherd is a beautiful looking dog. Their roots go back to the 1800s to Groenendael, Belgium. This is where they were bred by a certain Nicolas Rose in 1910. The Groenendael is one of four different Belgian Sheepdog varieties but the Groenendael is sometimes treated as a distinct breed.

They have always been used for their intelligence, serving for instance in the police force and being message carriers in war situations. Originally, Belgian Shepherds were used to herd livestock. It was in 1911 that the Groenendael was registered in the United States, and not much later the first Belgian Sheepdog Club of America formed. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1912.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Working dog
Origin:
United Kingdom
Belgium
Height Male:
71 - 76 cm
27 - 30 inches
60 - 66 cm
23 - 26 inches
Height Female:
68 - 71 cm
26 - 28 inches
56 - 62 cm
22 - 25 inches
Weight Male:
27 - 40 kg
59 - 89 pounds
25 - 30 kg
55 - 67 pounds
Weight Female:
26 - 40 kg
57 - 89 pounds
23 - 30 kg
50 - 67 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 12
6 - 10
Size:
Large dog
Large dog
Other Names:
English Greyhound
Belgian Groenendael, Belgian Shepherd, AKC: Belgian Sheepdog
Colors Available:
Fawn to white, brindle and bi-colored, black, tan
Black
Coat:
Short and smooth
Dense double coat
Shedding:
Minimal
Constant, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
High maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

greyhound puppy - descriptionThe Greyhound is a tall, muscled, long-legged, slender dog with a flexible spine, a deep chest and exceptional eye sight.

The Males are usually about 71 to 76 cm in height with the females being slightly smaller. The dogs weigh in the region of 27 to 40 kg. The coat of the dog is short and smooth and is found in an assortment of colors, from fawn to white, tan, black and brindle.As far as grooming goes, he is looked upon as a low maintenance breed.

He has a long narrow muzzle, semi-erect/semi-floppy short ears and a long slender tail.

Sometimes referred to as being hypoallergenic, you need to allow your Greyhound indoors as the dog doesn't have an undercoat. He is therefore more susceptible to extreme temperatures. The face is long, narrow and pointed, the ears short and half-erect-half-floppy with a long, thin, whip-like tail.

Temperament:

Intelligent and gentle, the Greyhound is described by those who have owned them as wonderful pet. They are somewhat aloof around strangers but love their own human family. This is a non-aggressive, gentle, docile, calm dog. They are loving and get on well with their entire family, whether human beings or pets.

They’re sensitive dogs who appreciate quiet, calm environments. They may be quiet, but they are still social, loving the company of their family. They’re not great barkers and because they are non-aggressive, they don’t make wonderful guard dogs.

Large, Strong and Well Proportioned

belgian shepherd dog groenendael puppy - descriptionWith his alert, bright brown eyes, the Groenendael, referred to often as the Belgian Sheepdog, has erect ears with a long, feathered tail. The straight, strong legs are also feathered. He is well proportioned, athletic and strong. He has a dense double coat, and this working dog’s coat is black, but you sometimes find some small white markings around his paws and muzzle. The size of the Groenendael is roughly 60-66cm at the withers with the females sometimes being slightly smaller. The weight of the dog is roughly 25–30 kilograms.

He’s a Social Dog who Craves Companionship

The Groenendael is an active, intelligent breed and training and socializing will be necessary to ensure he knows how to behave around his human family. He is a big, social dog and won’t do well when left alone day after day in the back yard. In fact he may even show signs of separation anxiety if you leave him indefinitely. He makes for an excellent family dog, just loving their companionship and he becomes very protective of them.

An Intelligent, Alert Breed

He is used to making use of his intelligence and therefore he will need mental stimulation as opposed to lying around all day. He gets on well with adults, children and other pets, but he needs to grow up with children and not be put among children when he is already an adult. He is loyal and loving to his human family, forming a deep bond, especially with just one member of the family.

Characteristics

greyhound dog - characteristicsThe Greyhound, forgetting about the racing part, makes a superb pet too. He won't do well in a household where there are screaming, noisy children and adults as he wants a quiet home to live in.

He can get on well with kind, gentle, respectful children as well as with pets in the home. Just like any dog, he will also need training and socialization as this can build up his confidence and then he knows how to please his owners and what they expect.

The Greyhound will require a gentle, fair, kind owner who understands his need for peace and quiet, and then he becomes a most wonderful devoted, loyal and loving pet.

belgian shepherd dog groenendael dog - characteristicsYour Belgian Shepherd is an intelligent, active, loyal companion for you. He is highly intelligent too, and will need the right owner who can meet his energetic needs. He therefore wouldn’t do well with in a small place where the owners are couch potatoes. He is a working dog and will require being kept busy.

Provide him with good food, look after that thick, lustrous coat of his, provide him with a warm, dry place to sleep and plenty of exercise, love and attention and he will turn out to be the wonderful pet that makes him such a popular breed.

Health Problems

greyhound puppies - health problemsGreyhounds are a wonderfully healthy dog breed and with good care can reach 14 years of age. They aren't prone to many genetic illnesses and unlike so many other dog breeds, this is one dog that doesn't battle with hip dysplasia – in fact it is almost unknown among this tall, slim dog breed.

The Greyhound does however, have a deep chest and this is what makes him vulnerable to bloat or gastric torsion. You have to take action quickly if you detect bloat – the stomach swells up – as this is a life-threatening condition that can occur quickly when air is trapped in the stomach. The stomach can become twisted.

Make sure your Greyhound doesn't gobble his food too quickly and preferably give him smaller meals as opposed to one or two large bowls of food.

belgian shepherd dog groenendael puppies - health problemsThe Belgian Groenendael is a healthy, strong breed with no major health problems and with an average lifespan of 12-14 years.

As with every dog breed, there will be some health issues to be aware of. Skin allergies, epilepsy, eye problems and hip- and joint dysplasia are some areas to look out for

Dental disease for instance, is a common problem with pets, and your Belgian Shepherd can have serious problems with their teeth. Tartar build-up on the teeth ca take you down a trail of infections and gum disease. If you don’t want to make use of a special canine toothbrush and toothpaste, your vet will do it for you.

Your Groenendael will also be susceptible to ticks, fleas and bacterial and viral infections. As a puppy of 6 – 8 weeks, vaccinations for parvo, rabies, and distemper will be necessary. You’ll also need to be generally watching your pet’s health and to get him to the vet when he shows signs of being run-down and ill.

Caring The Pet

Diet:

greyhound dogs - caringYour Greyhound’s breeder will be the best guide for the type of- and the amount of dog food your hound will need. Of course, a growing puppy has different nutritional needs from a mature or senior Greyhound.

Growing puppies and young dogs use a lot of energy so they will require a diet rich in protein. According to Greyhound experts, an adult Greyhound dog will need an average daily caloric intake of 1740 calories.

Older dogs and those that have been spayed or neutered will need less. Apart from the very best quality kibble, your Greyhound will most certainly require raw meat from time to time. You can also give him some cooked chicken, vegetables and brown rice. He should have access to a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Grooming:

The Greyhound's coat is smooth and short and he sheds very little so he will only need a gentle brush-down once or twice a week.

Exercise:

Having a relaxed lifestyle is what your Greyhound will love. He is a dog that needs to spend time indoors. When outdoors, whether you live in the city or the country, he will need daily walks and a run in the park regularly.

Just because he is a sprinter, it isn't wise to take him with you with cycling or jogging as he is geared for a short burst of speed as opposed to a long run.

belgian shepherd dog groenendael dogs - caringThe Groenendael has a double coat and because it is also fairly long, his black coat may well be high maintenance and brushing every 2nd day will be necessary to keep the coat unmatted and to also get rid of those loose hairs. In fact, heavy shedding is part of this breed’s life and while heavy shedding happens twice a year, light shedding continues throughout the year. Sometimes is may be necessary to send him to a dog grooming parlour to snip his hair and to wash it.

Other care routines to watch for -

A healthy, quality diet it absolutely imperative. Speak to your vet about the best kind of wet- or dry food suited to an energetic breed like this and appropriate to his age. You need to include raw meat into your pets diet every day now and then to avoid skin problems. Always ensure a bowl of clean, cool water is available, The bowl will need to be washed out every other day.

make sure his ears are cleaned. Once again you have to be careful when prodding in a dog’s ear and your veterinarian will show you how.

keep him well exercised with long walks and ball games.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Samoyed vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  2. Alaskan Malamute vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  3. Bullmastiff vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  4. Great Pyrenees vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  5. Boerboel vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  6. Presa Canario vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  7. Labrador Husky vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  8. Argentine Dogo vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  9. Giant Schnauzer vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  10. Goldador vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  11. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  12. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  13. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  14. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  15. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  16. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  17. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  18. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  19. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  20. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Beauceron - Breed Comparison
  21. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Alano Espanol - Breed Comparison
  22. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  23. Dogo Cubano vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  24. Dogo Sardesco vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  25. Central Asian Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  26. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  27. Greyhound vs Bloodhound - Breed Comparison
  28. Greyhound vs Francais Blanc et Noir - Breed Comparison
  29. Greyhound vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  30. Greyhound vs Borzoi - Breed Comparison
  31. Greyhound vs Black and Tan Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  32. Greyhound vs Black Mouth Cur - Breed Comparison
  33. Greyhound vs American English Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  34. Greyhound vs Austrian Black and Tan Hound - Breed Comparison
  35. Greyhound vs Azawakh - Breed Comparison
  36. Greyhound vs Chart Polski - Breed Comparison
  37. Greyhound vs Grand Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  38. Greyhound vs Circassian Orloff Wolfhound - Breed Comparison
  39. Saluki vs Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  40. Mountain Cur vs Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  41. Rajapalayam vs Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  42. Plott Hound vs Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  43. Petit Gascon Saintongeois vs Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  44. Otterhound vs Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  45. Mudhol Hound vs Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  46. Ibizan Hound vs Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  47. Rampur Greyhound vs Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  48. Galgo Espanol vs Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  49. Hanover Hound vs Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  50. Majestic Tree Hound vs Greyhound - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds