Mackenzie River Husky vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison

Mackenzie River Husky vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed ComparisonBelgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) is originated from Belgium but Mackenzie River Husky is originated from United States. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) may grow 8 cm / 3 inches shorter than Mackenzie River Husky. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) may weigh 17 kg / 37 pounds lesser than Mackenzie River Husky. Both Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) and Mackenzie River Husky has same life span. Both Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) and Mackenzie River Husky has same litter size. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) requires High Maintenance. But Mackenzie River Husky requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Working dog
undefined
Belgium
United States
Height Male:
60 - 66 cm
23 - 26 inches
66 - 74 cm
25 - 30 inches
Height Female:
56 - 62 cm
22 - 25 inches
66 - 74 cm
25 - 30 inches
Weight Male:
25 - 30 kg
55 - 67 pounds
29 - 47 kg
63 - 104 pounds
Weight Female:
23 - 30 kg
50 - 67 pounds
29 - 47 kg
63 - 104 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
10 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 10
4 - 10
Size:
Large
Large
Other Names:
Belgian Groenendael, Belgian Shepherd, AKC: Belgian Sheepdog
None
Colors Available:
Black
White, tan, cream, black, blonde and red.
Coat:
Dense double coat
Medium Length to Long - dense
Shedding:
Constant, Seasonal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
High Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

History

belgian shepherd dog groenendaelLooking 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.

mackenzie river huskyThe name Mackenzie River Husky was given to these huskies by those wanting to name the freight huskies of a certain area. The name took hold in the 1960’s, but the dog began to disappear with the introduction of snow machines.

They’re a mixture of native sled dogs - Newfoundlands, St. Bernards, Staghounds and Wolf. As a mixed breed, they have always been regarded as classic sled dogs.

Description

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.

mackenzie river husky puppy - descriptionThe beautiful Mackenzie River Husky stands at 66 to 74cm in height and weighs between 29 and 47kg.

This deep chested dog has a long, straight coat with the colors being typically wolf-like – white, cream, black, tan, blonde and red. He has erect ears, long legs and a long, bushy tail.

Temperament:

This wolf-type dog is strong willed and independent and was always a pack dog. They wouldn’t be described as a good choice for the first time dog owner as they do seem to have some wolf traits and will require a strong, firm, level headed owner.

Characteristics

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.

mackenzie river husky dog - characteristicsYour MacKenzie River Husky is such a likeable pet to have. True, he does tend to be a bit stubborn and independent but there is nothing that training and socialization won’t do for him. You’ll find him much more obedient and amicable, and he gets on well with children and pets in the home.

He is an intelligent dog too and very energetic so will require an owner who is active, firm and consistent. He thrives on human company and just wants to be around his owner all the time, ready to join in with any activity happening in his life.

He is therefore far more suited to life in the countryside than to the city. Loyal, devoted and loving, a MacKenzie River Husky isn’t only a beautiful dog to own, he promises to offer everything you want in a 4-legged friend.

Health Problems

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.

mackenzie river husky puppies - health problemsYour MacKenzie River Husky, regardless of how healthy he is, can suffer with some common health problems that all dogs are prone to.

Perhaps one of the more common health problems that this particular dog breed has to contend with is cataracts, hip dyslasia and hypothyroidism.

Cataracts:

Many people associate cataracts in dogs with age, little realizing that there are many medical reasons as to why our pets develop cataracts. Cataracts can start as early as 6 months of age, although this is unlikely. They come about because of a disease which affects the lens of the eye, causing the lens to lose its transparency.

You’ll notice a whitish/grey shade in your dog’s eye and this can actually impair vision. Cataracts are particularly the lot of diabetic dogs. It can certainly help to have your dog’s eyes checked by a vet regularly.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is another fairly common problem with Huskies. It’s almost like a death sentence if your MacKenzie is a working dog because it can lead to lameness. The disease can lead to problems in the hip joint which cab be debilitating ad give your dog a lot of pain.

It doesn’t strike old dogs only, but can be the lot of young dogs too. Sometimes treatment will require surgery but there are non-invasive options too. You want to make sure that you don’t allow your pet to become overweight as this can contribute to developing hip dysplasia.

Caring The Pet

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.

Exercise:

mackenzie river husky dogs - caringHuskies like this one will require a good deal of exercise every single day. These are working dogs who have always had a job to do and you can certainly count him in when you do your hiking walks, swimming – you name it. The only thing he will object to is that he doesn’t do well in hot weather. Strong-willed, you’ll want your MacKenzie River Husky trained and socialized if you want him to be a companionable dog.

Diet:

Dogs need to be fed according to the size, their age and their lifestyle. If your MacKenzie River Husky is an active working dog, his food must be the very best and contain enough calories to cover the daily caloric expenses.

Quality and the amount of vitamins and minerals in the food is most important for a dog like this. If you feed him commercially manufactured food, make sure its high quality and not made up of fillers, and other bad stuff. Read the label and understand exactly what’s going into your dog’s stomach.

Simplicity with feeding is best for your pet. Treat him occasionally to cooked chicken, brown rice, pasta and cooked or raw vegetables which can be added into his dry kibble. A dog like this will require some raw meat as well to ensure his coat and eyes are always shiny and bright.

Grooming:

Grooming of the MacKenzie River Husky must be done at least twice a week to get rid of loose hairs.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Mackenzie River Husky vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Mackenzie River Husky vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Mackenzie River Husky vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Mackenzie River Husky vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Mackenzie River Husky vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Mackenzie River Husky vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Mackenzie River Husky vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Mackenzie River Husky vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Mackenzie River Husky vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Mackenzie River Husky vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Mackenzie River Husky vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Mackenzie River Husky vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Mackenzie River Husky vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Mackenzie River Husky vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Mackenzie River Husky vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Mackenzie River Husky vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Mackenzie River Husky vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Mackenzie River Husky vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Mackenzie River Husky vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Mackenzie River Husky vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Mackenzie River Husky vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Mackenzie River Husky vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Mackenzie River Husky vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Mackenzie River Husky vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Mackenzie River Husky vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison