Belgian Shepherd Malinois - Amanda Russell

All Belgian Shepherd dogs in Australia, Europe and around the world have inter-variety breeding in their pedigree. Every Belgian shepherd pedigree can be traced back to most, if not all, of the 4 Belgian varieties. It is hard to imagine where the breed would be today (and how each variety would look) without inter-variety having been in existence. Yet still many Belgian fanciers are not sure exactly what inter-variety is all about. Sadly, others think that it does not affect them so do not want to become involved.

The Belgian Shepherd dog consists of 4 varieties or coat types all being the same breed.


Malinois Short Haired Red/Fawn	Laekenois Rough/Wire Haired Fawn	Groenendael Long Haired Black	Tervuren Long Haired Red/Fawn

If the coat were shaved off each variety should look exactly the same underneath. This is where inter-variety is beneficial to develop and maintain phenotype (observable structure, function or behavior etc) and genotype (inheritable genetics) for the all the varieties and the breed as a whole.

Without inter-variety breeding there is a danger that over time the varieties will deviate and become too different in breed type. We could end up with Belgian varieties that are not only different in coat type, but very different in other characteristics too which would be detrimental to the breed. This has already happened to some degree with the Laekenois. We all know that the Laekenois looks a little different at present – however the Laekenois SHOULD be the same as the other 3 varieties but may only get back to this point after careful inter-variety mating with the Malinois variety.

Malinois & Tervueren
In the 1st generation short hair (Malinois) is the usual result after which 3 clear Malinois generations are required if we wish to purify the short coat.

Groenendael & Tervueren
Groenendael or Tervueren puppies can result depending on recessive and dominant red/black colour genetics.

Laekenois X Malinois
To maintain correct coat type the Laekenois benefits from inter-variety with the Malinois. When rough hair is mated to rough hair over many generations it produces a coat that is too long and curly. It is recommended that resulting puppies from such a combination only be used for the advancement of the Laekenois variety.

All other combinations are forbidden due to the potentially undesirable coat or colour results e.g. black Malinois, black Laekenois, and Laekenois with hair that is too long & soft in texture etc.

Inter-variety was once permitted freely in Europe, and is still allowed today openly in some Countries with approval controlled by the respective kennel clubs or breed councils in others. However the Belgian Shepherd breed is present in much larger numbers in Europe and the gene pool is much greater therefore inter-variety is not needed as much.

As you have probably guessed I am in favor of inter-variety. Done carefully I believe it offers the breed some huge advantages. However I also believe we need strict guidelines and policies in place to prevent it being abused. I believe if forbidden matings occur it should be mandatory to de-sex and or place the resulting progeny on limited register.

Within Australia inter-variety is particularly useful due to the smaller gene pool, especially for the Malinois and Laekenois varieties that are present in much smaller in numbers in comparison to the Tervueren and Groenendael. The Groenendael and Tervueren are much more established and much of this is thanks to the opportunities inter-variety has offered in the past. In comparison, Malinois and Laekenois have not had the same chance to advance.

Inter-variety breeding in Australia has been permitted for many years until 2005 when the policy became due for review. At present it has been extended but only temporarily and only for the for the Groenendael & Tervueren varieties. Breeders, individuals and clubs need to make their submissions to the ANKC before October 2005.

Please think carefully about inter-variety Australia - the future of our breed in Australia is at stake!