The Belgian Shepherd is a working dog originally from Europe. It is highly intelligent, full of energy, affectionate toward people, and slightly nervous by temperament. When keeping a Belgian Shepherd at home, the most important thing is to ensure enough exercise. This not only supports healthy growth, but also prevents the dog from using up excess energy by destroying the house or causing other trouble.
The Belgian Shepherd Needs a Great Deal of Exercise
The Belgian Shepherd reacts quickly, is friendly and loyal to its owner, and usually does not act overly delicate or demanding. Its exercise requirement is very high, and a Belgian Shepherd's health is closely linked to its activity level. That means the dog should not simply be shut indoors. It needs frequent outdoor exercise, such as walks and running. Ideally, the home should also provide enough space for movement. After exercise, the owner should help remove dust and dirt from the coat or give the dog regular baths, because the Belgian Shepherd can have some body odor and needs routine cleanliness.
Feeding the Belgian Shepherd
Each meal for a Belgian Shepherd should include some meat, which should be cooked in clean water and chopped before feeding. Belgian Shepherd puppies are best fed more times per day, but in smaller portions each time. Four meals a day is often recommended, because smaller, more frequent feeding can improve digestion and support health. Adult Belgian Shepherds can be fed once or twice a day. The dog should also be trained to eat at fixed times and in a fixed place, so it does not develop a slow or careless attitude toward food.
Daily Cleaning for the Belgian Shepherd
After the dog exercises, the owner should clean off any dirt from the body and brush the coat regularly to keep it neat and tidy. Every three to five days, ear debris and dental buildup should be cleaned. Some owners also use 2 percent boric acid solution to wash the eyes in order to help prevent inflammation. About once a week, the dog's nails should be trimmed so that walking stays comfortable. At the same time, the dog should also be trained in good daily habits. It should not be allowed to tear or bite objects, and should learn fixed toilet habits and general obedience. When it does something wrong, it should be corrected; when it does something right, it should be rewarded. Clear rewards and corrections are essential.
The Belgian Shepherd is very intelligent, so building good feeding habits is not usually difficult. The bigger challenge is making sure the dog gets enough exercise and is properly cleaned afterward. Those two responsibilities take quite a lot of time from the owner. But if you handle daily feeding and care well, this clever Belgian Shepherd will certainly win its owner's affection.