Central Asian Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison

Central Asian Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed ComparisonBelgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) is originated from Belgium but Central Asian Shepherd is originated from Russia. Both Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) and Central Asian Shepherd are having almost same height. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) may weigh 20 kg / 44 pounds lesser than Central Asian Shepherd. Both Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) and Central Asian Shepherd has almost same life span. Both Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) and Central Asian Shepherd has almost same litter size. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) requires Low Maintenance. But Central Asian Shepherd requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Working dog
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Belgium
Russia
Height Male:
60 - 66 cm
23 - 26 inches
62 - 70 cm
24 - 28 inches
Height Female:
56 - 62 cm
22 - 25 inches
62 - 70 cm
24 - 28 inches
Weight Male:
25 - 30 kg
55 - 67 pounds
40 - 50 kg
88 - 111 pounds
Weight Female:
20 - 30 kg
44 - 67 pounds
40 - 50 kg
88 - 111 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 11
4 - 10
Size:
Medium
Large
Other Names:
Belgian Laekenois, Belgian Shepherd Dog
Central Asian Ovtcharka
Colors Available:
Fawn, Black & Tan, Brownish red
brindle, flecked and bi-colored, grey, black, White, tan
Coat:
Rough, medium length
Short hair and long haired
Shedding:
Minimal, Seasonal
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

History

belgian shepherd dog laekenoisThe Laekenois, from a variety of 4 Belgian Shepherds, and one of the rarest, is a working- or herding breed of dog which originated in Belgium. It is believed to have been around since the Middle Ages. The intelligent dog was also used for sending messages during the 1st World War. In most countries, all 4 of the dogs are considered the same breed with different varieties in coat types, but there are some instances where they are recognized as separate breeds.

An interesting aspect of these dogs is that until the advent of dog shows in the 1900s, the 4 varieties were intermixed, and today purebred Laekenois can sometimes give birth to smooth-coated puppies which can be registered as Malinois.

central asian shepherdThis large dog breed is a native to the wilds of Central Asia, where it has been guarding and protecting livestock for thousands of years. In fact the Central Asian Shepherd is one of the oldest dog breeds of the world.

Early records as to the precise origin of the breed aren’t available. There are suggestions that the breed descended from ancient Middle Eastern livestock guarding breeds, while the other suggests the dog is descended from the Tibetan Mastiff. It is almost certain that the dog was domesticated from the Wolf.

Description

Temperament

belgian shepherd dog laekenois puppy - descriptionThe Laekenois is a highly talented dog, highly energetic and extremely intelligent. He will make a superb family pet with owners who are firm and fair with him. The dog is bright, obedient, protective and somewhat territorial. He’ll guard what he believes is his as he is instinctively protective.

He will get on well with children in the home, and he can also be socialized to get on well with other pets in the home. Of course, the way an owner treats the dog, and any other dog for that matter, brings out different temperaments in a dog. To get the best from him he should be trained and socialized from an early age. He will need plenty of exercise if you don’t want him becoming destructive from sheer boredom.

Looks

The body is well proportioned, muscular and sturdy. He has an alert, intelligent face with erect ears, bright brown eyes and the nose black. The hair is dense on the long tail, but with no feathering like with the other breeds. The most common color is fawn with a reddish undertone. The chest is deep and the legs strong and straight. The Laekenois's medium length rough, wire coat can include colors from fawn to brownish and black in between.

central asian shepherd puppy - descriptionThe Central Asian Shepherd is a large dog, standing at up to 70cm in height and weighing in the region of 50kg. The dog is powerfully built and muscular, with the tail being traditionally docked to a short bob. Undocked, the tail is naturally long, thick at the base and tapering down. When relaxed, the tail is carried low, but when he becomes alert and excited, the tail is up and curved.

The ears of this dog are also traditionally cropped close to the head so that the dog almost appears to have no visible ears. This practice is also falling away and the natural ears of this breed are small and set at- or below eye level.

The brown eyes are small to medium size and are deep set. The Central Asian Shepherd Dog is double-coated with short to medium length hair and can be found in quite a few different colors such as tan, white, black, grey, brindle, ticked or a blend of these colors.

Temperament:

You have to be careful about where you buy your Asian Shepherd from as these dogs can be prone to aggression. With good breeding however, the dog is evenly tempered. As a first time dog owner, this shouldn’t be your first choice as it is a dominant, wilful, territorial, independent dog who will require a tough, firm, strong owner. Training and socialization are imperative to ensure he becomes obedient. He is then capable of forming close and strong bonds with his master, becoming a loyal and devoted pet. He also makes an excellent guard dog.

He is a protective dog breed, and once trained can get on well with children and other pets. He is the kind of dog that you will want to supervise around small children.

Characteristics

belgian shepherd dog laekenois dog - characteristicsThe Belgian Laekenois is an energetic herding breed dog, and even though he will do well in an apartment if he is sufficiently exercised, big gardens and farms would be first choice for him. Wherever you offer him a home, make sure to exercise him regularly and give him plenty of attention, as he loves his human family.

He’ll make an exceptional watchdog and because he is so intelligent, he learns easily, responding readily to his owner’s instruction. He’ll protect his human family with his life. Social, lively, attractive and bright, anybody who has owned a Laekenois will vouch for his loyalty and devotion, making him a splendid pet.

central asian shepherd dog - characteristicsIt is important for those interested in the Central Asian Shepherd Dog as a pet to do some research on the breed. For instance this is a large dog that has been used for fighting.

While he can’t be described as being overly aggressive, you do need to be aware of his history, especially when you have small children in the home.

This dog is intelligent and confident too while also being exceptionally protective, and therefore he makes a good watchdog.

It is essential to have your Central Asian trained and socialized, and then he becomes far more relaxed and obedient, making him a loyal, loving guardian and friend.

Health Problems

belgian shepherd dog laekenois puppies - health problemsThe lifespan of the Belgian Laekenois is between 10 and 14 years of age, and he is a pretty robust breed, not prone to getting sick easily. However, as with most other dog breeds, he is predisposed to some concerning health conditions.

Epilepsy

A frightening health issue in Belgian Shepherds is inherited epilepsy. It occurs in all four varieties. Your dog will have uncontrollable shaking that can last a few minutes. There are many causes of seizures but it is mostly an inherited disorder.

Eye disorders

The most common eye disease is cataracts.

Hip Dysplasia

This is an inherited disease that causes the joints to develop improperly. He may even have difficulty getting up from lying down.

central asian shepherd puppies - health problemsThe Central Asian Shepherd doesn't have any hereditary ailments and he is generally a healthy, robust breed.

Large breeds are always prone to hip- and elbow dysplasia, an abnormal development of hip and elbow, brought about by a number of factors such as genetics, the wrong diet and rapid growth with some large puppies.

A dysplastic hip or elbow doesn’t move smoothly as it should, and this results in joint inflammation and pain. Symptoms can include loss of muscle mass, pain when moving around and difficulty with standing up again once your pet lies down.

Caring The Pet

Grooming

belgian shepherd dog laekenois dogs - caringThe long, double coat of your Laekenois will need to be trimmed about twice a year otherwise he could look dirty and unkempt. Certainly with the coat he has, you will need to brush him at least twice a week to get rid of all those loose hairs.

Feeding

He is a well muscled, athletic, energetic dog and his food, whether home-made or commercially manufactured, needs to be a high-quality food high in protein and packed full of minerals and vitamins. If you’re not sure about food type, speak to your vet, because as a dog expert, they will advise you on food appropriate to this dog breed and his energy needs. Whether you own a male or female Laekenois, feeding should be such that weight for an adult is maintained around 25–30kg.

central asian shepherd dogs - caringCentral Asians are large dogs and when he is looked after well he can reach up to 15 years of age.

Diet:

It is important to see that he receives top quality, size-specific food, of which he eats a lot, and that it has all the vitamins and minerals he needs for his size.

A puppy will need high energy foods because of their energy. As he grows bigger, protein will become imperative. It is always a treat for your pet to add in some brown rice, vegetables and cooked chicken into his kibble from time to time.

Raw meat can be expensive, but if you can, it is important to ensure that your large pet gets some raw meat into his diet too, to keep his skin and coat healthy and to ward off disease. Make sure he has non-stop access to a bowl of fresh, cool water.

Grooming:

As previously mentioned, the coat of the Central Asian Shepherd can be fairly short but it can also be medium length. He isn't going to require any exceptional grooming but you will certainly need to give him a good brush twice a week, more so in his shedding periods. This will rid him of loose hair and keep his coat free of tangles and matting.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
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  26. Central Asian Shepherd vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Central Asian Shepherd vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Central Asian Shepherd vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Central Asian Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Central Asian Shepherd vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Central Asian Shepherd vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Central Asian Shepherd vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Central Asian Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Central Asian Shepherd vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Central Asian Shepherd vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Central Asian Shepherd vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Central Asian Shepherd vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Central Asian Shepherd vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Central Asian Shepherd vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Central Asian Shepherd vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Central Asian Shepherd vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Central Asian Shepherd vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Central Asian Shepherd vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Central Asian Shepherd vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Central Asian Shepherd vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Central Asian Shepherd vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Central Asian Shepherd vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Central Asian Shepherd vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Central Asian Shepherd vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Central Asian Shepherd vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison