Catalan Sheepdog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison

Catalan Sheepdog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed ComparisonBelgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) is originated from Belgium but Catalan Sheepdog is originated from Spain. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) may grow 11 cm / 5 inches higher than Catalan Sheepdog. Both Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) and Catalan Sheepdog are having almost same weight. Both Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) and Catalan Sheepdog has same life span. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) may have more litter size than Catalan Sheepdog. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) requires High Maintenance. But Catalan Sheepdog requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Herding dogs
undefined
Belgium
Spain
Height Male:
60 - 66 cm
23 - 26 inches
47 - 55 cm
18 - 22 inches
Height Female:
56 - 62 cm
22 - 25 inches
45 - 53 cm
17 - 21 inches
Weight Male:
25 - 30 kg
55 - 67 pounds
16 - 25 kg
35 - 56 pounds
Weight Female:
23 - 30 kg
50 - 67 pounds
15 - 25 kg
33 - 56 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 10
4 - 6
Size:
Large
Medium
Other Names:
Belgian Groenendael, Belgian Shepherd, AKC: Belgian Sheepdog
Gos d'Atura Català, Catalan shepherd
Colors Available:
Black
Fawn, brownish, dark grey, black
Coat:
Dense double coat
Long coat - fairly wavy
Shedding:
Constant, Seasonal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
High Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

belgian shepherd dog groenendaelLooking 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.

catalan sheepdogThe Catalan Sheepdog, known also as the Gos d’Atura, hails from Catalonia, Spain. It is believed that the dog is related to the Portuguese- and Pyrenean Sheepdogs.

The standard for this breed was formulated in 1929. The sheepdog developed during Roman Empire times between 200 and 100 BC already, being used as livestock guard dogs. With the breed dwindling in the 1970s, Catalonian Sheepdog lovers started promoting it, but it remains a rare breed.

Description

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.

catalan sheepdog puppy - descriptionThe Catalan is a medium sized dog but gives the impression of being bigger than he actually is. He stands from 45 – 55cm in height and weighs between 20 to 25kg.

This breed also has double dew claws on the hind feet. He has a long coat which is slightly wavy and available in different shades such as fawn to brownish to dark grey to black. He has floppy, feathery ears and a fairly long, feathery tail. He has quite a bit of hair on he face too, so you’ll notice a beard, moustache as well as hair which covers the eyes somewhat.

Temperament

Brave and courageous, the Catalan Sheepdog is also intelligent, active and hardy. He has a round face with a friendly, amicable expression. He is totally pleasant and sweet natured. However, in his role as guardian of sheep he took his role seriously, forming a strong relationship with both shepherd and sheep.

He is wary of strangers. Early socialization and training is always important, and while he makes a wonderful family pet, this training and socialization makes him more relaxed and obedient and he gets on well with children in the home as well as with other pets. While he is a placid, docile and gentle pet, he is also looked upon as a protector, and will defend his family.

Characteristics

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.

catalan sheepdog dog - characteristicsThe Catalan Sheepdog is such an amicable character – he is going to make an awesome pet. He is an intelligent and obedient dog and is easily trained.

He has been used for guarding- and herding work and as a family pet makes a excellent guard dog as well. Capable of being gentle too, he is everything his human family wants him to be and just becomes a regular member of the family.

Health Problems

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.

catalan sheepdog puppies - health problemsThe Catalan Sheepdog is a fairly healthy breed and has a life expectancy of 12, 13 or 14 years. Nonetheless you will still need to watch out with common dog ailments with him, particularly hip dysplasia.

Hyp Dysplasia:

This is a joint and hip disease which can start with symptoms from 6 months of age already. Your dog will be hesitant to play and jump, doesn’t like to go upstairs, tires easily during a walk and develops a hop-like way to walk. You’ll notice that when he lies down, he battles to- or is reluctant to get up again.

X-rays may be required to confirm the diagnosis of hip dysplasia. There are different treatment options, all with the wellbeing of your pet in mind. You don’t want him to have a life of pain and lameness.

Caring The Pet

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.

Exercise:

catalan sheepdog dogs - caringThe Catalan Sheepdog is a working breed, so he is going to need plenty of exercise. While he adapts easily to city- or country life, it will be to his benefit to have a garden to romp in. You will still need to take him for walks and play ball- and rope games with him. This will prevent boredom and destructive behavior from him.

Grooming:

The Catalan Sheepdog has long hair so he will need to be brushed twice a week to avoid matting. This will help to remove loose hair too, but also distribute natural oils through his coat, keeping his hair and skin healthy and free from skin rashes and itchiness.

This brushing ensures other benefits as you can simultaneously check him for parasites such as fleas and ticks.

Diet:

If you feed him commercial dog food, make sure its a high quality one. He is an active breed so will require high protein. Give him some homemade rice, vegetables and meat, and include raw meat in his food from time to time too. Always ensure that there is fresh, cool water constantly within reach.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Catalan Sheepdog vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Catalan Sheepdog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Catalan Sheepdog vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Catalan Sheepdog vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Catalan Sheepdog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Catalan Sheepdog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Catalan Sheepdog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Catalan Sheepdog vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Catalan Sheepdog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Catalan Sheepdog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Catalan Sheepdog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Catalan Sheepdog vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Catalan Sheepdog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Catalan Sheepdog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Catalan Sheepdog vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Catalan Sheepdog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Catalan Sheepdog vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Catalan Sheepdog vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Catalan Sheepdog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Catalan Sheepdog vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Catalan Sheepdog vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Catalan Sheepdog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Catalan Sheepdog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Catalan Sheepdog vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Catalan Sheepdog vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison