Balto the Magnificent (Laekenois)

BlackPuppy

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#1
Balto is now two years old, and probably the smartest dog I've ever seen.

I'm not much of a trainer. I spend about 10 minutes 3 times a week when there's a show coming up and Balto is just a natural. We are starting on his Rally Advanced in two weeks, but he has his Novice and a UR01. Plus, his CGC and he got the highest score of the weekend on his Temperament test (ATTS.org).

When I was considering him 2 years ago, I got some negative posts because he was cryptorchid. I am SO glad he's mine. What a gem!

 

BlackPuppy

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#6
I think his face is his best feature. And I love his brown eyes.

Balto tracking last October.


Balto last summer.


This video is of both my dogs playing in the surf down the beach from Galveston, Texas. Balto looking like a Chia pet, half wet and half fluffy. He really loved chasing all the birds down there and cut a pad doing it. And he needs to lose about 5 pounds, too. YouTube - Belgian Dogs on the Beach near Galveston, Tx March 2009

I decided in a year and a half to import another Laekenois. Though, he probably won't be another Balto.
 

BostonBanker

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#8
Thanks for the extra pictures!

Silly question - what is the coat like? Is it just a normal coat but a little curly? Or is it a non-shedding coat?
 

BlackPuppy

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#9
It's not like a poodle where it keeps growing. His hair is always the same length. Twice a year it has to be stripped, like a terrier coat. Some hair comes out with brushing, but very little falls out onto the floor, unlike my Malinois who has a ring of fur around her crate in the car. The texture is between coarse and soft. It's softer now because most of the overcoat has been stripped. It's not hard to do, I just grab him while I'm watching TV and start tugging.
 

stafinois

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#11
I keep toying with the idea of a Laeken. The idea of a low-shed Belgian just tickles me!

He's a gorgeous guy! Where is he from?
 

BlackPuppy

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#12
He is from Vajert kennel in Sweden.

There's a "movement" here in the US to breed Laekenois that look more like Malinois. So, anybody showing here will probably need to get that type. They have very little extra hair on their heads.

I prefer Balto's look and (it appears) so do a lot of traditional breeders in Europe. Even though he's hairy, when he's wet you can really see the Belgian shape come through.

I'm planning to get another Laekenois in 2010, I hope. I'm starting looking for breeders now.
 

puppydog

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#13
He is so cute! I love the hair do!

Ben was a cryp. I just had them out. Much safer that way. You know the song, Monty had only one big ball! LOL!
 

stafinois

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#14
He is from Vajert kennel in Sweden.

There's a "movement" here in the US to breed Laekenois that look more like Malinois. So, anybody showing here will probably need to get that type. They have very little extra hair on their heads.

I prefer Balto's look and (it appears) so do a lot of traditional breeders in Europe. Even though he's hairy, when he's wet you can really see the Belgian shape come through.

I'm planning to get another Laekenois in 2010, I hope. I'm starting looking for breeders now.

I'll admit, I like the ones that look like Malinois with a JRT's broken coat.

Hmmmm...
 

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