Quote Originally Posted by wolfsoul View Post
In every registry (except AKC) all four varieties (the tervuren, the malinois, the laekenois, and what I have -- the groenendael) are all considered Belgian shepherds. So yes, these are Belgian shepherds; Their variety is the longhaired black, called the groenendael. In AKC, they split the varieties into seperate breeds (excluding the laeken, AKC hasn't recognised these yet), and they changed the name of the groenendael to the Belgian sheepdog. So when I show up here in Canada, I am competing against all four varieties. When I show in the states, I will only be showing against other "Belgian sheepdogs."
Very interesting.... somewhat similar to Collies.

Up until the late 80's or early 90's Rough and Smooth Collies were considered two varieties of the same breed. They still are in North America, however most European countries, for some stupid reason, split them up into two separate breeds, and with the exception of a couple countries, in Europe they can no longer be interbred with each other, as they are now considered two separate breeds. Luckily in the US and Canada they are considered the same breed, as I prefer to do rough x smooth breedings LOL

However, at all-breed shows in the US and Canada, Rough and Smooth Collies do not compete against each other. At specialties, they will, but only for Best of Breed. First they have BOV (Best of Variety) and BOS smooth... then do BOV and BOS rough... then will have BOV rough and smooth come back and compete for Best of Breed. But this is only at specialties. At All-Breed shows they only go as far as BOV.