Turnspit Dog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison

Turnspit Dog is originated from United Kingdom but Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) is originated from Belgium. Turnspit Dog may grow 36 cm / 14 inches shorter than Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael). Turnspit Dog may weigh 16 kg / 35 pounds lesser than Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael). Both Turnspit Dog and Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) has almost same life span. Turnspit Dog may have less litter size than Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael). Turnspit Dog requires Low maintenance. But Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) requires High maintenance

History

It is amazing that this small dog’s popularity comes from him being used in the kitchens to roast meat. The British enjoyed eating their meat which they roasted on a fire.

These dogs were essentially regarded as a tool – a means to an end, and when kitchens were modernized, they were no longer needed, and they became extinct.

Referred to as the kitchen dog or cooking dog, the first mention of these little dogs was made in 1576. By 1850 the dogs had become scarce and by 1900 it seemed as though there were none left.

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.

Description

The Turnspit was a small long-bodied dog, standing at between 20 to 30cm in height and probably weighed anything between 9 and 14kg in height.

The legs were somewhat crooked or bandy and Edward Jesse, who wrote ‘Anecdote of Dogs’ in 1846 described them as ugly dogs with a miserable look to them. That was probably due to him having to fit into the hamster-like wheel contraption that turned the meat being roasted in the kitchens.

They were low-bodied dogs, similar to a Dachshund or a Corgi with short, stocky legs, short floppy ears, and a short coat. The long tail curled over its back. It is believed that the coats were white, reddish-brown, gray or black.

Temperament:

The dog was certainly feisty, energetic and hard-working with not much being written about his temperament. He was a working dog, but given the chance, he would no doubt have been loving and loyal, longing for the chance just to be part of a human family and to be loved.

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

The Turnspit dog had a tough life, but would no doubt have made a wonderful little pet had he just been allowed to be a companion dog.

When he was no longer needed, he was discarded.

Make sure that when you buy a dog, you don't just put him in your backyard and forget about him. Give him the love and care he deserves.

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

The health and lifespan of a dog is influenced by quite a few things such as food, care, love, exercise and the type of breed it is. Generally smaller dogs live longer than big dogs, and mixed breed dogs live longer than pure breeds.

The Turnspit dog, if he had received the proper care, could have lived to between 10 and 15 years of age.

Some of the health issues facing small dogs like these would include -

Hypoglycemia:

Stress can bring on a sudden drop in blood sugar. The Turnspit had reason to be stressed, working hard in horrible conditions. Dogs become weak and lethargic and can scarcely maintain an even gait. A sudden drop in blood sugar can cause a small dog to go into a fatal coma.

Pancreatitis:

This ailment seems to occur more often with smaller dogs. The pancreas becomes inflamed and your dog has vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and dehydration. Pancreatitis can come about because of trauma, metabolic disorders or infection.

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

A dog is man's best friend, but the Turnspit was essentially just a working dog and most likely didn’t receive the proper care he deserved.

Small dogs like these would have had basic needs. Their owners would have had to pay attention to the dog's health, because he needed to work.

We look at ways in which a small dog like the Turnspit should have been cared for -

Diet:

One wonders if the Turnspit was allowed to eat any of the roast meat he worked so hard on to get ready. Every dog should have a regular meal.

Most adult dogs should be fed 2 meals of kibble a day. If the Turnspit wasn’t extinct he would have required a high quality ‘small dog breed’ commercial dog food. Home-made food would also be a requirement – some boiled chicken, brown rice and vegetables. Dogs want and appreciate simple, wholesome foods that won’t upset their digestive systems.

Along with good food, dogs need cool, fresh water constantly available to stay healthy.

Provide your dog with a warm dry, quiet, comfortable place to sleep.

Make sure he gets to the veterinarian if he is sick, but also for his vaccines to prevent him from getting some of the worst dog diseases there are.

Spay or neuter your dog if you don’t intend to breed your dog,

Groom your small dog regularly. The Turnspit had a shortish coat and would have required a brush twice a week. Other grooming procedures for a small dog like the Turnspit would have been keeping his nails trimmed and checking the inside of his ears and his mouth for ear infections and dental disease.

Exercise for a small dog is important – walks and ball games.

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.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Working dog
Origin:
United Kingdom
Belgium
Height Male:
20 - 30 cm
7 - 12 inches
60 - 66 cm
23 - 26 inches
Height Female:
20 - 30 cm
7 - 12 inches
56 - 62 cm
22 - 25 inches
Weight Male:
9 - 14 kg
19 - 31 pounds
25 - 30 kg
55 - 67 pounds
Weight Female:
9 - 14 kg
19 - 31 pounds
23 - 30 kg
50 - 67 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 15 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 4
6 - 10
Size:
Small dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Vernepator cur, kitchen dog
Belgian Groenendael, Belgian Shepherd, AKC: Belgian Sheepdog
Colors Available:
White, gray or black., reddish-brown
Black
Coat:
Shortish
Dense double coat
Shedding:
Minimal
Constant, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, 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

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Turnspit Dog vs Indian Spitz - Breed Comparison
  2. Turnspit Dog vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  3. Turnspit Dog vs Lancashire Heeler - Breed Comparison
  4. Turnspit Dog vs Miniature Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  5. Turnspit Dog vs Danish Swedish Farmdog - Breed Comparison
  6. Turnspit Dog vs Telomian - Breed Comparison
  7. Turnspit Dog vs Pomeranian - Breed Comparison
  8. Turnspit Dog vs Maltese - Breed Comparison
  9. Turnspit Dog vs Pug - Breed Comparison
  10. Turnspit Dog vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  11. Turnspit Dog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  12. Turnspit Dog vs Maltipoo - Breed Comparison
  13. Turnspit Dog vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  14. Turnspit Dog vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  15. Turnspit Dog vs Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  16. Turnspit Dog vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  17. Turnspit Dog vs Cockapoo - Breed Comparison
  18. Turnspit Dog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  19. Turnspit Dog vs Cavapoo - Breed Comparison
  20. Turnspit Dog vs Corgi - Breed Comparison
  21. Turnspit Dog vs Miniature Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  22. Turnspit Dog vs Cavachon - Breed Comparison
  23. Turnspit Dog vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  24. Turnspit Dog vs American Eskimo Dog - Breed Comparison
  25. Turnspit Dog vs Papillon - Breed Comparison
  26. Samoyed vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  27. Alaskan Malamute vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  28. Bullmastiff vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  29. Great Pyrenees vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  30. Boerboel vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  31. Presa Canario vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  32. Labrador Husky vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  33. Argentine Dogo vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  34. Giant Schnauzer vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  35. Goldador vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  36. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  37. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  38. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  39. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  40. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  41. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  42. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  43. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  44. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  45. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Beauceron - Breed Comparison
  46. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Alano Espanol - Breed Comparison
  47. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  48. Dogo Cubano vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  49. Dogo Sardesco vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  50. Central Asian Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds