Which breed includes the Groenendael, Laekenois, Malinois, and Tervuren varieties?

The breed that includes the Groenendael, Laekenois, Malinois, and Tervuren varieties is the Belgian Shepherd, also called the Belgian Sheepdog.

These four varieties share a Belgian herding-dog foundation but differ mainly in coat texture, length, and color. The Groenendael has long black hair; the Laekenois has a rough fawn coat; the Malinois has short fawn hair with a black mask; and the Tervuren has long fawn or gray hair with a black overlay and mask.

Belgian shepherds worked for centuries as herding dogs. In 1891, the Club de Chien Berger Belge was formed, and a survey led by veterinarian Adolphe Reul helped standardize the varied local dogs. The modern four-variety standard was adopted in 1956 after the breed’s numbers and classifications had shifted through two world wars.

A major source of confusion is kennel-club classification. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale treats the four as varieties of one breed, while the American Kennel Club considers them separate breeds. Regardless of that registry difference, “Belgian Shepherd” is the umbrella answer for the four names in the question.