Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison

Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed ComparisonBelgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) is originated from Belgium but Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac is originated from Slovakia. Both Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) and Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac are having almost same height. Both Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) and Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac are having almost same weight. Both Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) and Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac has same life span. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) may have more litter size than Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) requires High Maintenance. But Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Gun dog
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Belgium
Slovakia
Height Male:
60 - 66 cm
23 - 26 inches
62 - 68 cm
24 - 27 inches
Height Female:
56 - 62 cm
22 - 25 inches
62 - 68 cm
24 - 27 inches
Weight Male:
25 - 30 kg
55 - 67 pounds
25 - 35 kg
55 - 78 pounds
Weight Female:
23 - 30 kg
50 - 67 pounds
25 - 35 kg
55 - 78 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
10 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 10
3 - 6
Size:
Large
Large
Other Names:
Belgian Groenendael, Belgian Shepherd, AKC: Belgian Sheepdog
SHS
Colors Available:
Black
Gray and brownish
Coat:
Dense double coat
Short to medium, coarse
Shedding:
Constant, Seasonal
Minimal
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, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
High Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

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.

slovensky hrubosrsty stavacBreeding of the Slovak Hruborsty Stavac, fondly referred to as the SHS began around the 1940s.

There were some dog lovers who were interested in crossing the coarse haired dogs of Slovakia with the German Wirehaired, the Czech blower and the Weimaraner. The outcome was a rough-haired kind of Weimaraner-looking dog.

While hunters and hunting were quite common in Slovakia, the breed became rather rare with the wars when hunting became less, but the dog was reconstructed by breeders, but is still rare outside Slovakia.

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.

slovensky hrubosrsty stavac puppy - descriptionThe dog is fairly large, standing at between 62 and 68cm in height and weighs 25 - 35kg. The coat is fairly coarse and dense and is a grey/silver shade with a touch of brown.

There is quite a bit of hair around the face. The ears are medium length and floppy and the tail is mostly docked to half its length but can be left long as well. The tail is set high and carried vertically and can be well feathered. The eyes are almond-shaped, and the dog has an intelligent appearance to him.

Temperament:

The Slovensky Hruborsty Stavac is a sharp dog, making it easy to have him trained and socialized. He is such a friendly, social dog, getting on well with all family members and loving to get involved with the games of the children.

There is no aggression in this dog and when you provide him with the exercise that he craves, he is loyal, gentle and loving, getting on well with other dogs as well.

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.

slovensky hrubosrsty stavac dog - characteristicsThe Slovensky Hruborsty Stavac is such a bouncy, amicable pet, full of energy. He may appear to be confident and full of the joys but he secretly can’t stand it when his human family don’t include him in everything. He can actually suffer with separation anxiety.

He is an athletic dog and will require lots of exercise – walks, hikes, ball games and running off his leash.

He is quiet but strong-willed and will respond well to a strong, firm, consistent, kind owner.

These dogs make the most awesome pets and you can either find one from a rescue group or find a puppy from a reputable breeder. Whatever you decide on, the Slovensky Hruborsty Stavac makes an extraordinary pet.

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.

slovensky hrubosrsty stavac puppies - health problemsThere are always some illnesses that your dog might get but which isn’t likely with your pet as these are healthy dogs.

Bloat:

Dogs can die within a few hours if not treated with this ailment. Bloat is a condition where the stomach twists and fills with gas. The stomach is swollen and the gas can cause breathing problems because it puts pressure on the diaphragm. If you suspect that your dog has bloat, he should be rushed to the vet as soon as possible.

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.

Prepare for your Pet:

slovensky hrubosrsty stavac dogs - caringBefore you bring your pet home, dog-proof your house. It won’t be fair to leave tempting, chewy things lying around and expect your pet to not be interested in them. Also, keep dangerous chemicals out of reach of your pet.

Prepare for your pet beforehand and have feeding- and water bowls ready as well as a nice basket or some other sleeping equipment available for him.

Feeding:

If you’re bringing an adult rescue dog home, try to feed him the same kind of food he was already eating, as too many changes can upset him. When he settles down, you can move over to other food. Keeping his food consistent can avoid digestive problems.

If you opt to feed him one of the commercially manufactured dog foods, make sure its the best quality as some of them are bad, filled with things such as colorants, preservatives and fillers. Try and give him some homemade food which you can add into the dry kibble twice a week. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots all boiled slowly together will delight your pet. Chop it all up and your pet will look so forward to this. Dogs thrive on simple, consistent meals like this. Provide water at all times.

Exercise:

The amount of exercise any dog needs is dependent on age, size and energy levels. Because the Slovensky Hruborsty Stavac is an energetic breed, he will need a good dose of exercise. If you have a puppy, avoid strenuous exercise as this can damage the soft, developing bones and joints. As well as walks and ball games, mental stimulation is also important for this dog. Consider buying some puzzle toys or feeders for your pet.

Fleas:

Check for fleas and ticks while you brush him.

Immunization:

Keep up to date with all your dog’s immunizations and get your pet to the vet as soon as he is sick. There are some illnesses such as bloat which can claim your pet’s life in just a few hours if not attended to.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
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  6. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
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  10. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
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  25. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison