The Belgian Sheepdog, also known as the Belgian Shepherd Dog or the Groenendael, is a breed of dog in the Herding Group. The Belgian Sheepdog earned its place in history when they served in World War I as messenger and transport dogs as well as ambulance dogs. Belgian Sheepdogs were approved by the AKC in 1990.
Belgian Sheepdogs are bred to be highly intelligent, alert, and sensitive to everything going on around them. This means Belgian Sheepdogs require significant socializing as puppies, lifelong activity outlets, and will seek to be with "their human" all the time. Belgian Sheepdogs can find it very difficult to be left alone, and during their juvenile years can go through irrational fears.
Belgian Sheepdogs are afflicted with the most common dog health issues at rates similar to breeds in general. Belgian Sheepdogs differ most notably from other breeds in the high incidence of seizures and/or epilepsy. In a UK survey of Belgian Shepherds, about 9% of dogs had seizures or epilepsy. The incidence of epilepsy/seizures in the general dog population is estimated at between 0.5% and 5.7%.