what to feed a belgian shepherd

Food/Diet As an active herding breed, the Belgian Shepherd

requires a high-quality diet rich in protein and healthy fats. If you plan to use your dog for herding or dog sports, an active or working breed formula may be the best option.

Full Answer

What is the best dog food to feed a Belgian Shepherd?

The Best Dog Food For Feeding Your Belgian Shepherd Food is the #1 foundation for good health. The best diet for feeding your dog is real food. Real chicken, turkey, beef, fish....these are not just "people foods" and I'll tell you why.

What is the best dog food for a Belgian Malinois?

This is an excellent high-protein, grain-free dog food that will meet all Belgian Malinois needs. It uses wild boar, whole beef, and lamb meal as protein sources. These red meats provide excellent support for the dog’s muscles, bones, and joints.

How to take care of a Belgian Shepherd?

Start your Belgian Shepherd off on the right foot by feeding the right food, giving the right vaccinations, finding the right vet, and if you're going to spay or neuter, don't do it too early. Jump down to this list of Belgian Shepherd Health Problems Or check out my advice for raising a healthy Belgian Shepherd puppy or adult dog:

Are Belgian Shepherds good family dogs?

Also known as the Belgian Sheepdog, the Belgian Shepherd is a beautiful, long-coated breed that comes in a variety of colors. With their athletic build and superb stamina, these dogs excel in herding as well as various dog sports. Not only that, but their friendly temperament makes them an excellent choice for family life as well.

What Should I Feed My Belgian shepherd?

The 8 Best Dog Foods for Belgian MalinoisTaste of the Wild Grain-Free Dry Dog Food – Best Overall. ... Iams ProActive Health Adult Dry Dog Food – Best Value. ... Purina Pro Plan Puppy Dry Dog Food – Best for Puppies. ... American Journey Grain-Free Dry Dog Food. ... Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free Dry Dog Food.More items...•

How much should a Belgian shepherd eat?

Recommended daily amount: 2 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.

What Should I Feed My Belgian shepherd puppy?

Belgian Malinois puppies will need a high-quality puppy kibble meant for large breeds....American Journey Puppy FormulaGrain-free puppy food.Real salmon is the first ingredient.DHA for brain function.No corn, wheat, or soy.No artificial colors or flavors.352 Calories per cup.32% Protein, 14% Fat, 4.5% Fiber.

How do you feed a Belgian dog?

Dog Weight and Raw Food Belgian Malinoiss are known to piling on the pounds, however, so their diet should consist of biologically appropriate proteins, healthy fats, ground bones and vegetables - which are packed with essential vitamins and minerals - for optimum health and performance.

What is a raw diet for dogs?

Raw Diet. Raw dog food can be homemade, store-bought, freeze-dried, or dehydrated. A raw diet usually includes organ meats, muscle meat, whole or ground bone, raw eggs, dog-safe fresh fruits and vegetables, and a dairy product such as yogurt.

Is Belgian Malinois a good family dog?

Behavior. Belgian Malinois are profoundly confident and protective. They are never affectionate towards strangers; this dog breed only expresses their love to the family members, making them an excellent choice for a family dog. Since they are originally herding dogs, their guarding and watchdog skills are impeccable.

What vegetables are good for Belgian Malinois?

It is slightly lower in protein than other dog foods, but along with vegetable ingredients such as carrots and sweet potatoes that are high in antioxidants, this dog food provides a balanced diet that supports the overall health of your Belgian Malinois.

What dog food is high in protein?

The Five Best High-Protein Dog FoodsBlue Wilderness Adult Salmon. ... Solid Gold High-Protein with Duck. ... CRAVE Grain-Free High-Protein Salmon & Oceanfish. ... Fromm Four-Star Beef Frittata Veg. ... Wellness Core Grain-Free Original Turkey & Chicken.

How often should I bathe my Belgian Malinois?

This highly intelligent and athletic dog can be bathed as frequently as every week up to no longer than every 6 weeks. Routine baths and blowouts, as well as frequent brushing, lay the groundwork for maintaining healthy skin and coat.

How much food should I feed my Belgian Malinois?

As they grow older, you will start decreasing the amount of times you feed them in a day, as their metabolism will start slowing down. On average, a Belgian Malinois pup will need about three to four cups of dry food daily if it is under six months old.

Why is my Belgian Malinois not eating?

Your dog could be avoiding his food due to liver disease, infections, a blockage, tumor or kidney failure. If your dog isn't eating but seems otherwise fine, that's likely not the issue. However, if he doesn't start chowing down within 24 hours, it's time to seek medical help.

What's the lifespan of a Belgian shepherd?

10 – 14 yearsBelgian Shepherd / Life span

At what age is a Belgian Malinois fully grown?

Older than 18 Months. Belgian Malinois are full-grown once they are between a year and two years of age.

Why is my Belgian Malinois not eating?

Your dog could be avoiding his food due to liver disease, infections, a blockage, tumor or kidney failure. If your dog isn't eating but seems otherwise fine, that's likely not the issue. However, if he doesn't start chowing down within 24 hours, it's time to seek medical help.

How much exercise do Belgian Malinois need?

Belgian Malinois are active and energetic dogs that need a lot of physical activity. Adult dogs need 60 to 80 minutes of exercise per day, which can be divided into three or four 20-minute exercise sessions. Take the dog on a simple walk or add in a training or play session for variation.

Gut Health

It's no secret these days that gut health is at the centre of overall health for humans and our four-legged friends; your Belgian Sheepdog companion is no exception. An unhealthy gut leads to poor nutrient absorption and imbalanced immune response, in turn leading to systemic inflammation in the body, and a whole host of health conditions.

Immunity

The immune system is the body's natural protection mechanism; when functioning effectively will respond to toxins, pathogens and threats to your Belgian Sheepdog health and happiness found in everyday life.

Weight

Maintaining appropriate healthy weight is essential for your dog no matter what breed. Belgian Sheepdog are known to piling on the pounds, so/however a diet that consists of biologically appropriate protein and healthy fats, ground bone and vegetables packed with the required vitamins and minerals is essential for optimum health and performance.

Overall Well-Being

A species-specific diet is undoubtedly the best Belgian Sheepdog food, fuel for overall health and happiness. You'll notice remarkably quickly that your four-legged friend will look, feel and even smell better.

Smell Better

Yes we said SMELL! And when we say smell better, we're talking about the odour your dog emits from both ends.

Look Better

What happens on the inside shows on the outside. When gut health is poor, digestion ineffective, when stress and strain is placed on organs and systems of the body, there's always an impact on your dog's outward appearance.

Feel Better

Our mission at ProDog Raw is to help as many dogs as possible thrive. The signs of a dog thriving will be plain to see by you as their hooman companion. Increased vitality, reduced anxiety, reduced bad behaviour, less bad moods, improved mobility, increased agility and a whole heap more doggo smiles and tail wagging.

Belgian Sheepdog Feeding Chart

Below is the typical feed chart for the Belgian Sheepdog. This chart provides you a rough guide on how much dry dog food (kibble) to feed your Belgian Sheepdog.

How to Measure the Right Amount of Dog Food for Your Belgian Sheepdog

Research has shown that most owners over-measure a cup of dog food. As a result, most dogs owners overfeed their dogs. This is because dog owners do not level off the cup when measuring out the food they give to their dogs.

How Much Food to Feed the Belgian Sheepdog

You should feed your 14-week-old Belgian Sheepdog puppy 3.3 cups of dry dog food (kibble) every day.

Best Food for Belgian Sheepdog. Belgian Sheepdog Feeding Guide

The Belgian Sheepdog has different nutrient needs at different life stages. Therefore, the dog food that you feed your Belgian Sheepdog at different ages should be the type that is appropriate for its age.

Feeding Guide for the Belgian Sheepdog Puppy: 12 weeks to one year

The dog food that you feed your puppy should have the nutrients that will boost a puppy`s immune system since puppies easily get infected with the disease at this age.

Feeding Guide for the Young Adult Belgian Sheepdog: Ages 1 year to 6 years

The dog food that you feed a young adult Belgian Sheepdog should have the nutrients that will make a dog live longer.

Feeding Guide for Mature Adult Belgian Sheepdogs: 6 years and older

You should feed the mature adult Belgian Sheepdog food that has been formulated to improve their quality of life, increase their life expectancy, and increase their overall health.

What is a Belgian Shepherd?

Belgian Shepherdis the umbrella name for the Belgian Malinois, Belgian Tervuren, Belgian Laekenois, and Belgian Groenendael (aka Belgian Sheepdog). Some countries consider them to be varietiesof one breed, while other countries consider them separate breeds. See my Belgian Shepherd Reviewfor my thoughts on this issue.

How to increase the life span of a Belgian Shepherd?

You can dramatically increase your dog's chances of living a long, healthy life by feeding the right food. Cutting right to the chase, the best foods for your Belgian Shepherd are... [read more] A Quick Way To Make Homemade Dog Food.

What causes a tervuren to have a pyoderma?

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and retinal dysplasia have been reported in Belgian Shepherds. Skin diseases include allergies (which cause itchy skin and can lead to pyoderma) and demodectic mange.

What is the most dangerous disease in Belgian Shepherds?

Inherited epilepsy is the most frightening health problem in Belgian Shepherds. Epilepsy occurs in all four varieties, but is especially common in Tervurens, with up to 17% of the breed affected. Compared to other large breeds, hip dysplasia is not a serious problem in the Belgians.

What are the orthopedic problems of a Belgian Shepherd?

Other orthopedic diseases in Belgian Shepherds include osteochondritis, panosteitis, and luxating patella. Eye diseases affect about 15% of Belgian Shepherds. Most common is cataracts, which appear in adult dogs. Persistent pupillary membranes are fairly common in the Tervuren.

Why are dog training videos worthless?

Sometimes it's easier to train your puppy (or adult dog) when you can see the correct training techniques in action. The problem is that most dog training videos on the internet are worthless, because they use the wrong training method.

What Is The Best Dog Food For Belgian Malinois

Belgian Malinois are a strong and active breed of dog. As such, their food must be rich in protein and fairly low in fat. Not just that, but they are highly intelligent, and their food needs to have proper nutrients to keep up with this.

Best Dog Food For Belgian Malinois Puppies

Puppies don’t have the same demand as adult dogs. As such, you cannot give them the same type of food. Their nutritional needs are different as they are still growing and, as such, they require more energy.

Belgian Malinois Health Problems

All dog breeds, especially purebred ones, are prone to some health conditions. Many are genetic, but some are related to allergies or the overall environment.

What is the best diet for a Belgian Shepherd?

As an active herding breed, the Belgian Shepherd requires a high-quality diet rich in protein and healthy fats. If you plan to use your dog for herding or dog sports, an active or working breed formula may be the best option.

How much exercise does a Belgian Shepherd need?

Exercise Requirements. The Belgian Shepherd is a highly active and energetic breed, so he requires at least an hour of vigorous exercise each day . In addition to plenty of physical exercise, this breed needs plenty of mental stimulation as well.

What are the different breeds of Belgian Shepherds?

Technically speaking, there are four varieties of the breed – the Malinois, the Tervuren, the Laekenois, and the Groenendael (Belgian Shepherd). In Belgium, all four are considered variations of the same breed but in many non-FCI countries (including the United States), they are regarded as separate breeds. The American Kennel Club recognizes three of the four as separate breeds – the Belgian Malinois, the Belgian Tervuren, and the Belgian Sheepdog (or Groenendael). The fourth, the LAekenois, is part of the Foundation Stock Service (FSS).

How many pups does a Belgian Shepherd have?

The average litter size for the Belgian Shepherd is 6 to 10 pups. Because there are four varieties of Belgian Shepherd, litters can be extremely variable depending on breeding. Regardless of physical appearance, all Belgian Shepherds require early socialization and training.

How much does a Belgian Shepherd weigh?

Weight. The Belgian Shepherd is a medium- to large-sized breed in four varieties that stands between 22 and 26 inches tall, weighing 44 to 66 pounds at maturity. Males of the breed are larger than females.

What breeds are in the FSS?

The American Kennel Club recognizes three of the four as separate breeds – the Belgian Malinois, the Belgian Tervuren, and the Belgian Sheepdog (or Groenendael). The fourth, the LAekenois, is part of the Foundation Stock Service (FSS).

What is the color of Belgian Shepherds?

The Laeknois is generally fawn-colored with white hairs mixed in and the texture of the coat is wiry.

How much does a Belgian Malinois weigh?

The Belgian Malinois is a medium to large dog. Males can weigh up to 65 pounds, while females tend to be smaller, averaging 55 pounds at adulthood. If they are not exercised adequately, they tend to become overweight.

What is the best food for a Belgian Malinois?

It contains USA-raised chicken and farm-grown vegetables, including carrots, peas, and cranberries. Since we know that Belgian Malinois are subject to certain eye conditions, Vitamin A found in carrots is an excellent nutrient to support healthy vision.

What is the best dog food that doesn't have peas?

If you want a dog food that doesn’t contain peas, then American Natural Premium Original Recipe Dry Dog Food is the one to choose. This dog food has a blend of pork meal, chicken meal, fish meal, and whole eggs, making up the 78% protein content. The complex carbohydrates are from oat flour, brown rice, and barley.

What percentage of protein should I give my Belgian Malinois?

If your Belgian Malinois is on the high side of active, then 20-25 percent protein content would be a reasonable level. Protein derived from meat sources is a better option than soy protein. Too much protein may cause kidney problems in your pet as its body attempts to rid itself of excess protein.

What is the best supplement for dogs with hip dysplasia?

Certain omega-3 fatty acids can help in making your dog more comfortable if he or she develops hip or elbow dysplasia. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) have been shown to decrease inflammation from osteoarthritis. Both of these fatty acids are found in fish oils.

What is the best fat for dogs?

Poultry and pork fats are made up of about 15 to 25 percent linoleic acid. Corn and safflower oil are also excellent sources of these essential fatty acids. Many dog food producers include between 5 and 20 percent fat, a highly active dog may need up to 50 percent essential fatty acid depending on the source.

What is grain free dog food?

True Acre Foods Chicken & Vegetable Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food has farm grown fruits and vegetables and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that can support joint and bone health.

What is the best food for a Belgian Malinois puppy?

Whole Grain Oatmeal. When it comes to the non-raw variety of the best dog foods for Belgian Malinois puppies, Nutro’s Wholesome Essential barely has no competitor. Loaded with lamb proteins and a nutritious, flavorful blend of ingredients, Nutro fulfills the challenging needs of an active, large breed pup.

What is the best food for a Malinois?

Chicken, 2. Chicken Meal, 3. Whole Brown Rice, 4. Brewers Rice, 5. Rice Bran. Dubbed ‘The Superfood Blend’ by Nutro, this recipe sports lean, healthy proteins along with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fatty oils, which combine to make the perfect diet for a Malinois.

What to look for in Belgian Malinois dog food?

Here is a detailed breakdown of essentials to look for in your Belgian Malinois dog food. Animal Protein – Look for animal-based proteins as the first ingredient on the label. Ideally, the food should have over 35% protein from real meat. By-products and meals are never the best sources of protein.

What is solid gold fit and fabulous?

As its name implies, the mission Solid Gold Fit and Fabulous is to create the gold standard in dog food. This recipe contains sweet potato and chicken and is indeed their finest. This lower-calorie recipe enables your dog to eat a healthy portion without packing on the pounds.

How much exercise should I give my Malinois?

A herding dog, the Malinois is a highly active and should be exercised at least 20 to 30 minutes, three times a day. In addition to 90 minutes of exercise , your Malinois also needs plenty of mental stimulation to stay in the best mood and health.

Is brown rice good for picky eaters?

This recipe of chicken and brown rice is a great option for picky eaters. Not only is brown rice a healthy grain full of essential nutrients for your baby, but this formula also contains a blend of powerful antioxidants to make sure your mal can enjoy its meal without any uncomfortable consequences.

How many meals should I feed my puppy?

As for daily feeding, divide a puppy’s food in four to six meals a day, but make it three to four meals for adults. If your dog isn’t finishing its food, then you need to reduce the portion size while increasing the number of meals per day.