Despite repressive laws, a constraining legislation on breeding and the banning of ear cropping, Belgium still vows a passion to utility dogs.
When looking at the charts of the most sought after dogs in Belgium, one can see that the Top 12 is trusted by rather large dogs, whose utility origin is indubitable. Behind the German Shepherd Dog – at the first position for ten years – and the Belgian Shepherd Dogs – Belgium’s national glory – one can find the Golden and Labrador Retrievers.
Two cattle dogs, the Bouvier des Flandres, and the Bernese Mountain Dog, whose looks and characteristics are completely opposed – occupy the 5th and 6th position. Let’s note that the Bouviers des Flandres, just like the Belgian Shepherd Dogs, have a steady population and number of births. These two breeds are the only representatives of all the Belgian breeds in the Top 25. Other breeds have seen their number considerably increase: the Border Collie, with a 20% growth in one year, the Great Dane, with almost a 25% growth in 2000, and the Beagle. Picture of one of today’s star, Utility World Champion Van Gwendraa Oel.
Newcomers have entered the Top 25: the French Bulldog, thus confirming its European success, the Yorkshire Terrier, which is one of the most sought after breeds in Europe, the Poodle, and finally the Whippet, always the leader in the Hound family.
Two French breeds, the Berger de Beauce and the Briard, are well represented in Belgium too, with remarkable dogs and an excellent selection.
The Société Royale Saint Hubert has celebrated its 120th anniversary in 2002. Let’s underline that the FCI, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, has its headquarters in Belgium. In 1995, Belgium organised for the first time the World Dog Show, in Brussels. The show had attracted more than 15,000 dogs and approximately 60,000 visitors.
Belgians especially distinguish themselves in the canine sports. Especially the Malinois, which has become the reference in the hardest ring competitions, in France, Belgium and the Netherlands. What’s more, utility dogs have always occupied a particular place parallel to dog fancy in Belgium. The best European canine trainers come from Belgium, where many utility breeds were born, with their rules, their own book ALSH and their masters. Picture of one of the Malinois stars, Elgos du Chemin des Plaines, bred by Nicky Van Gele, whose Van Joefarm selection has been remarked in all the championships ( IPO, Belgian ring, World Show, etc.) with Roe, Urosh, Valentin and Vilas.
Concerning the German Shepherd Dog, very popular in Belgium, there are two coexisting selections: the beauty GSDs, registered at the Saint Hubert Book of Origins, and the working dogs, registered at the ALSH – the Annex of The Saint Hubert Book of Origins. There will soon be more than one million dogs for the first selection, and over 100,000 for the second. Picture of an example of the Belgian selection, Scott Von Deodatus, a stud with a brilliant career in Germany.
Two unavoidable dogs in almost any country, the Dobermann and the Boxer, remain in good shape in Belgium.Picture of Vasko Van Den Hazenberg, issued from a French father. Belgian kennels are renown and export on the five continents. Even if the beautiful working dogs remain part of the Belgian dog fancy tradition, one can see that new trends are emerging. By looking at the 1999 and 2000 stud book figures, the British toy dogs are especially in the mood.
Such is the case of the Border Collie: although the breed is no longer used in herding, it shines in the sportive activities like agility, fly ball or obedience. Belgians are famous for being fly ball specialists. Picture of the Belgian fly ball team at the international championships.
Let’s not forget the Parson Jack Russel Terrier, which counts more and more breeders and fanciers. One of the most famous breeders, Susan Pattyn – here in picture – accumulates the victories both in Jack and Parson throughout Europe with the dogs from her kennel, Susan’s Pride.
The Belgian circuit is famous for its quality in the whole of Europe. Let’s name for instance Courtrai with the Eurodog Show, Brabo, or Charleroi. All the best Belgian breeders show their dogs in these all breed shows, and the foreign exhibitors are numerous to come too. The jury is very often made of international judges and breed experts. One main major difference with the shows in other countries, lies in the quality of the main ring and the special events, which take place before the final judgements. The BIS must a be a true show. Recently, the Belgium Top Breeder ceremony rewarded M. Vanaken-Heinesche, a Poodle breeder whose kennel Supers des Supers is renown in the whole world.
Here are the 14 Belgian breeds recognised by the FCI:Belgian Shepherd Dogs; Bouvier des Ardennes; Bouvier des Flandres; Schipperke; Bloodhound; Petit Brabançon; Belgian Griffon; Brussels Griffon; Bichon Frisé; and the Phalene and Papillon Continental Toy Spaniels.
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