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Glite Dictionary
Belgian sheepdog

Belgian sheepdog

4.5
A strong, intelligent dog from Belgium that herds sheep and helps in jobs like police or rescue
  • noun
  • /ˈbɛldʒən ˈʃipˌdɔg/
translation icon : perro pastor belga
  • The police force trained a Belgian sheepdog to assist in search and rescue operations.

Examples

  • The Belgian sheepdog excels at agility and obedience competitions.

  • A Belgian sheepdog requires regular exercise and mental stimulation to be happy.

  • The Belgian sheepdog is an excellent herder.

  • Many people love their Belgian sheepdogs for their loyalty.

  • The Belgian sheepdog is known for its intelligence and ability to herd sheep.

  • In the competition, the Belgian sheepdog expertly demonstrated its herding skills.

  • Many farmers prefer the Belgian sheepdog for its versatility and strong work ethic.

Synonyms

Belgian shepherd
vsBelgian sheepdog
3.2

A strong active dog from Belgium used for herding and police work

has the same meaning but highlights hardiness, intelligence, and versatility

Surface Forms

Belgian sheepdog singular
Belgian sheepdogs plural

Morphology

Belgian + sheepdog

The meaning is directly and transparently derived from combining 'Belgian' (from Belgium) with 'sheepdog' (a dog bred for herding sheep), so it denotes a sheepdog breed originating in Belgium. This simple adjective+noun composition follows a common, literal pattern found across languages and would be understandable to a B1 learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

The name Belgian sheepdog comes from working dogs in Belgium that farmers used as sheepdogs 'to herd' sheep. So, the name now means a strong, clever dog breed used for 'herding' and many other jobs.