Hellenic Hound vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison

Hellenic Hound vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed ComparisonHellenic Hound is originated from Greece but Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) is originated from Belgium. Hellenic Hound may grow 11 cm / 4 inches shorter than Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois). Hellenic Hound may weigh 10 kg / 22 pounds lesser than Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois). Both Hellenic Hound and Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) has almost same life span. Hellenic Hound may have less litter size than Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois). Both Hellenic Hound and Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) requires Low maintenance.

History

hellenic hound - historyDeveloped in Southern Greece, the Hellenic Hound was bred to hunt hare and is an ancient breed. It is a medium sized breed with strong scent and tracking skills. It is believed to have been in existence for thousands of years. The ancestry of the breed included the Lagonikoi or laconikoi, native to southern Greece in ancient times. The breed was spread by sailors on Greece trading ships and colonization.

Todays Hellenic Hound is found throughout Europe. Kept somewhat isolated by the mountains, the breed was protected from outside breeding and they remained pure for centuries. It is a fearless, smart and hyped up purebred. The Hellenic Hound needs to have a job and if you don’t give him one, he will find one. He is smart and independent which sometimes makes him stubborn. It also takes this dog longer to mature than others, sometime between two and three years. It is not good for first time owners. Today’s hound is still a popular hunting dog and companion animal as well. They are rarely seen outside of the Greek country.

In 1996 the Hellenic Hound was recognized as the first Greek dog breed into the FCI. They are not recognized by the AKC. Its numbers continue to decline.

belgian shepherd dog laekenois - historyThe 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.

Description

hellenic hound puppy - descriptionToday’s Hellenic Hound is not a big dog but rather very average or medium. It is an athletic dog and looks like it. It has a balanced body with a deep chest and thick neck. It has medium height legs that are strong and muscular with paws that are prepared for the terrain it always works on. Its coat is short and tight. The colors of the Hellenic Hound are black with tan or white on the chest. Their heads are noble and rounded with a rectangle shaped muzzle. They have v shaped, long ears and round eyes. Their toe nails are black and so is their nose. It has excellent scent glands, very quick responses, speed and stamina. Their tail is thick and tapers off.

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.

Characteristics

Children friendliness

hellenic hound dog - characteristicsyes, they are very fond of children as long as they are carefully socialized.

Special talents

Great hunter, stamina ,scent, voice

Adaptable

He needs to have a yard or land. He doesn’t do well in apartments.

Learning

The breed is very intelligent and can be very trainable. However, they can also be stubborn and that makes training harder.

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.

Health Problems

hellenic hound puppies - health problemsThe Hellenic Hound is a fairly healthy breed having been isolated on the Island of Greece for the most part. They are susceptible to:

Joint dysplasia

Could be hips, elbows or knees. If untreated can lead to lameness or inability to walk.

Arthritis

Causes joint pain and can cause lameness or inability to walk.

Bloat

Can be fatal if not treated immediately. To avoid it don’t feed a large meal before or after exercise.

Hunting injuries

Can be a variety of things that occur during the hunt.

Ear infections

Need to keep the ears clean and dry in order to avoid infections.

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.

Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy

hellenic hound dogs - caringFeed the puppy 2-3 times a day a total of 2 cups

Feeding the adult

Feed the adult twice a day a total of 2-3 cups

Points for Good Health

The Hellenic Hound has excellent stamina, speed and scenting ability.

Games and Exercises

This is a very active, athletic dog that needs to work and needs exercise. He is powerful, quick and has great endurance. It thrives on hunting but will need other activities on the days it doesn’t hunt. It needs a yard or land to play in. Agility, Field Trials, tracking, hunting and fly ball are all activities the Hellenic Hound will enjoy.

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.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Herding dogs
Origin:
Greece
Belgium
Height Male:
47 - 55 cm
18 - 22 inches
60 - 66 cm
23 - 26 inches
Height Female:
45 - 53 cm
17 - 21 inches
56 - 62 cm
22 - 25 inches
Weight Male:
17 - 20 kg
37 - 45 pounds
25 - 30 kg
55 - 67 pounds
Weight Female:
15 - 18 kg
33 - 40 pounds
20 - 30 kg
44 - 67 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 8
5 - 11
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Greek Hound or the Hellenikos Ichnilatis The Hellenic Hound, Greek Harehound
Belgian Laekenois, Belgian Shepherd Dog
Colors Available:
Black with tan markings
Fawn, Black & Tan, Brownish red
Coat:
Short, smooth, sleek
Rough, medium length
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal, Seasonal
Temperament:
Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Playful, Stubborn, Sweet
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Pharaoh Hound vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  2. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  3. Hungarian Vizsla vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  4. Redbone Coonhound vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  5. Norwegian Elkhound vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  6. Santal Hound vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  7. Podenco Canario vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  8. Podenco Andaluz vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  9. Podenco Galego vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  10. Kanni vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  11. Lithuanian Hound vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  12. Hungarian Hound vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  13. Hygenhund vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  14. Norrbottenspets vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  15. Polish Hound vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  16. Russian Harlequin Hound vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  17. Russian Hound vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  18. Sabueso Espanol vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Schillerstovare vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  20. Schweizer Laufhund vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  21. Schweizer Niederlaufhund vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  22. Serbian Hound vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  23. Silken Windhound vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  24. Smalandsstovare vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  25. Stephens Stock vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  26. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  27. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  28. Collie vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  29. Dutch Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  30. Blue Healer vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  31. English Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  32. Catahoula Cur vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  33. Catalan Sheepdog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  34. Pyrenean Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  35. Bergamasco vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  36. Berger Picard vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  37. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  38. Queensland Heeler vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  39. German Coolie vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  40. Bohemian Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  41. Croatian Sheepdog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  42. Red Heeler vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  43. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  44. Blue Lacy vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  45. New Zealand Huntaway vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  46. Norwegian Buhund vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  47. Polish Lowland Sheepdog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  48. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  49. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) vs Australian Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  50. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds