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Native American Shepherd |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
U.S.A. <> Belgium -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the Native American Shepherd |
| The Native American Shepherd is a hybrid of the Native American Indian Dog and the Belgian Shepherd dog. As such, the Native American Shepherd will inherit traits from both parent breeds. The Native American Indian Dog can weigh between 18 and 45 kilos and measure between 46 and 81 centimeters. As a general rule, a dog of this breed will be very loyal and have a strong attachment to its family. The Belgian Shepherd dog averages between 18 and 27 kilos in weight and 56 to 61 centimeters in height. A dog of this breed is likely to be gentle and friendly, and do well with small children. Native American Shepherd owners say they are loyal dogs, always ready to be by your side. |
History of the Native American Shepherd |
| The Native American Shepherd is a relatively new hybrid, although the two breeds that make up the hybrid have a long history. |
A little of the Native American Indian Dog |
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| One of the few remaining North American dogs lived thousands of years ago as companions to the original American people. During these periods, some of the dogs stayed close to settlements of people while others remained in packs away from the camps, preferring to live alone. Dogs were a great help to humans, especially before the 16th century and the introduction of horses by the Spanish, as they worked to protect the colony, pull carts and carry heavy sacks. Over the years, domesticated dogs were bred with dogs from Europe in the USA. A very small group of native dogs remained in the Savannah River region of South Carolina, and this breed is now registered with the Native American Indian Dog Registry. | ||
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| Presentation of the Native American Indian Dog | ||
A little of the Belgian Shepherd dog |
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| Two breeds are thought to have mixed to develop the Belgian Shepherd dog: the Picard d'Uccle, from the Belgian Malinois family, and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen from the Hound family. In 1893, the Berger Belge was named after the estate of its original breeder, Nicholas Rose. The estate, called Château Groenendael, was located outside Brussels. As the name Groenendael was difficult to remember, the breed became better known as the Berger Belge. Originally used to herd sheep in the Belgian countryside, the dogs prove to be both intelligent and athletic. | ||
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| Standard of the Belgian Shepherd dog |
Appearance of the Native American Shepherd |
| There isn't much information available on the appearance of the Native American Shepherd, although we can consider the hybrid's parent breeds to get an idea of the traits their offspring may inherit. The Native American Indian Dog resembles a wolf, with a long, slender muzzle and athletic build. A dog of this breed can be silver to black and solid with a tortoiseshell pattern. The Native American Indian Dog's tail can be curled or long, with a little fold at the end. The Belgian Shepherd dog is a large dog with a double coat, the topcoat rough and the undercoat soft, offering protection from the elements. A dog of this breed will have a lot of long hair around the neck, especially in males. The tail will be long and heavy. Your Native American Shepherd will be a magnificent blend of its parents, with a glossy coat and intuitive dark eyes that will follow you everywhere. |
Temperament of the Native American Shepherd |
| Although little information is available on the temperament of the Native American Shepherd, you can consult the temperament of the hybrid's parent breeds to determine what you can see in your Native American Shepherd. The Native American Indian Dog is an intelligent dog that will be affectionate and loyal to its humans. The breed is generally playful and eager to please, and although it can be aloof with strangers, it will not show aggression. Native American Indian Dogs get on well with children and other animals. The Belgian Shepherd dog is generally a friendly, gentle dog that gets on well with small children. As the breed is partly descended from the hunting dog, if you're bringing smaller animals into your home, it's advisable to do so when your Belgian Shepherd dog is young. Your Native American Shepherd will be very perceptive, friendly, energetic and generally easy to train, as it likes to feel useful. |
Needs and activities of the Native American Shepherd |
| The Native American Indian Dog requires a moderate amount of exercise, including several walks a day. A medium to large fenced yard will give him room to move, run and play, which will help him burn off energy. The Belgian Shepherd dog has a very high energy level and will require a lot of activity, without which he risks developing bad behaviors. Your Native American Shepherd will need at least an hour of mental and physical stimulation every day and will be happy with more, which may include walks, runs, playing with his humans, training for competitions, helping at work, training and trips to the dog park. |
Maintenance of the Native American Shepherd |
| There's not a lot of information available regarding the maintenance of the Native American Shepherd, although we can look at the breeds that make up the hybrid to understand maintenance requirements. Although the Native American Indian Dog has a fluffy coat, it won't need much maintenance. You should plan on brushing it once a week, except during periods of heavy shedding, when it will need brushing more frequently. The Native American Indian Dog will only need a bath if it's particularly dirty. The Belgian Shepherd dog requires more effort to maintain. Its double coat is long and without regular brushing will shed a significant amount. You can expect your Native American Shepherd to shed heavily several times a year, usually with the change of seasons. During these periods, it's helpful to give him a warm bath, which will help loosen his hair follicles, and then give him a thorough brushing. This will help keep his coat healthy and minimize tangling and shedding. Tartar build-up is common in the Belgian Shepherd dog parent, which means regular tooth brushing, at least several times a week, is essential for your Native American Shepherd's long-term dental health. |
English (United Kingdom) 
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