Chopper - A Pure Bred Belgian Shepherd - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Blackthorn · 10-08-2006, 06:04 AM

Chopper's name was derived from his sire's name which is Harley. Chopper is a wonderfully tempered Belgian and he's great around other dogs but especially great and playful with puppies. A couple of his favorite things to do are to go on squirrel patrol (thankfully he's yet to catch one) and get tangled up in thistle brush so that he's completely covered in burrs.

Chopper is now a finished champion in the confirmation ring that may actually be making the trip to New York next February! He'll also be doing some obedience work as he matures and will continue to show as a specials dog.

Belgians make wonderful pet companions. They are friendly, easily trained, highly social and like lots of attention when they are awake. They are definitely not for apartment dwellers as they like to run and burn a lot of energy when outdoors. Their natural instincs take over when presented with an actual herd of sheep and it's amazing to watch them work. Of course it takes a lot of training for them to serve that purpose successfully but the instinct to corral and drive is there and great fun to watch.

Chopper @ 5 weeks - February 2004

Chopper @ 2 months - March 2004

Chopper @ 5 months - June 2004

Chopper @ 13.5 months - starting to get himself together

Chopper's second Major Championship - July 2005

Chopper's Herding Group 1 placement - August 2006

Even Chopper is a Marvin Lewis fan but he's not too sure about Chris Henry or Odell Thurman...

Sultana · 10-08-2006, 06:46 AM

Oh, I love seeing that age progression--what an adorable fluffy baby he started out as, and what a beautful grown up he makes.

He must be easy-going, with that chicken on his head

Elphaba · 10-08-2006, 10:22 AM

I love this breed. We saw several of them during obedience training and their ability to learn quickly was amazing. Have you given any thought to Agility? They are naturals for it.

Let us know if you head to Westminster, and we'll cheer on Chopper!

genuinegirly · 10-08-2006, 01:50 PM

awwwwwwwwww What a cute one! I've never heard of the breed. Fascinating to learn about Belgian Shepherds. Thanks for sharing!

lindalove · 10-09-2006, 01:53 PM

Heh, I love how fluffy he looked at 5 weeks!

Sweetpea · 10-10-2006, 10:18 PM

what a beautiful dog. I had no idea what a gorgeous and versatile breed this is.

Quick question:
We've been looking into getting a large dog as we live on 5 acers and spend a lot of time outdoors. however, we have a small pom. currently and two cats, How does the Belgian breed interact with smaller pet companions?

Thanks

sweetpea

maleficent · 10-11-2006, 06:46 AM

He's a beauty...

the chicken on his head is just wrong.. he will get even with you for that...

Blackthorn · 10-12-2006, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

what a beautiful dog. I had no idea what a gorgeous and versatile breed this is.

Quick question:
We've been looking into getting a large dog as we live on 5 acers and spend a lot of time outdoors. however, we have a small pom. currently and two cats, How does the Belgian breed interact with smaller pet companions?

Thanks

sweetpea

Hiya .. Belgians do quite well with other dogs both large and small. The same is not always true in reverse so the Belgian will end up getting their feelings hurt when for example a Great Pyr tries to take its head off...

Chopper never met a person who didn't want to pet him and he hasn't met another dog who wasn't his best friend. Cats on the other hand may be a bit of a problem. I've had chopper around a couple of cats and it was a bit of a challenge to keep them apart. He's 70 lbs of energy that's ready to go and check out that little furry ball with a tail and based on the look in his eyes I'm thinking he's seeing his next meal.

Around people Belgians are generally known to be well mannered, playful, and obedient. Some people might call them a bit needy but if you love dogs you'll appreciate the friendship offered by a Belgian.

One thing that's important to know is that they do have long hair that needs to be brushed frequently to keep their coat in decent shape and they do shed a bit. Other than that they are wonderful pets.

Quote:

Originally Posted by maleficent

He's a beauty...

the chicken on his head is just wrong.. he will get even with you for that...

He's a Bengals fan! Of course he likes his Oktoberfest Bengals chicken lid...

Sweetpea · 10-13-2006, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackthorn

Hiya .. Belgians do quite well with other dogs both large and small. The same is not always true in reverse so the Belgian will end up getting their feelings hurt when for example a Great Pyr tries to take its head off...

Chopper never met a person who didn't want to pet him and he hasn't met another dog who wasn't his best friend. Cats on the other hand may be a bit of a problem. I've had chopper around a couple of cats and it was a bit of a challenge to keep them apart. He's 70 lbs of energy that's ready to go and check out that little furry ball with a tail and based on the look in his eyes I'm thinking he's seeing his next meal.

Around people Belgians are generally known to be well mannered, playful, and obedient. Some people might call them a bit needy but if you love dogs you'll appreciate the friendship offered by a Belgian.

One thing that's important to know is that they do have long hair that needs to be brushed frequently to keep their coat in decent shape and they do shed a bit. Other than that they are wonderful pets.

Ah, thank you for answering my question, I appreciate that. It seems most large breed dogs view cats with a "yum!" attitude so i'm not sure there is going to be any way around that unless we either do a lot of special training or get a large dog that is comatose

Again, he's a beauty, thanks so much for sharing him with us and for educating me on the breed

sweetpea

Ch'i · 10-13-2006, 09:38 PM

I've always been curious as to how you train a show dog to strike a pose like that.

(nice looking dog by the way. sounds like he has a great personality.)

Brewmaniac · 10-13-2006, 10:00 PM

Sweetpea, no worries dear, if you bring a puppy into a home with cats. Even the bigest dog breed, won't matter because the cats will rule over the puppy at a young age and they will be pals as aduts. We've done this several times and it's not a problem.

Chopper is a beautiful dog, I'd love to have a Chopper!

JustJess · 10-17-2006, 10:07 AM

Also - we had a Newfie, and our cats LOVED her. They're huge, and require plenty of brushing, but they are very intelligent and very gentle. Nothing bothers them!
/end threadjack

What a GORGEOUS puppy!! I just want to snuggle with all that soft fur! Awwwww!

10-08-2006, 06:04 AM	#1 (permalink)
Blackthorn Beware the Mad Irish Location: Wish I was on the N17...	Chopper - A Pure Bred Belgian Shepherd Chopper's name was derived from his sire's name which is Harley. Chopper is a wonderfully tempered Belgian and he's great around other dogs but especially great and playful with puppies. A couple of his favorite things to do are to go on squirrel patrol (thankfully he's yet to catch one) and get tangled up in thistle brush so that he's completely covered in burrs. Chopper is now a finished champion in the confirmation ring that may actually be making the trip to New York next February! He'll also be doing some obedience work as he matures and will continue to show as a specials dog. Belgians make wonderful pet companions. They are friendly, easily trained, highly social and like lots of attention when they are awake. They are definitely not for apartment dwellers as they like to run and burn a lot of energy when outdoors. Their natural instincs take over when presented with an actual herd of sheep and it's amazing to watch them work. Of course it takes a lot of training for them to serve that purpose successfully but the instinct to corral and drive is there and great fun to watch. Chopper @ 5 weeks - February 2004 Chopper @ 2 months - March 2004 Chopper @ 5 months - June 2004 Chopper @ 13.5 months - starting to get himself together Chopper's second Major Championship - July 2005 Chopper's Herding Group 1 placement - August 2006 Even Chopper is a Marvin Lewis fan but he's not too sure about Chris Henry or Odell Thurman... __________________ What are you willing to give up in order to get what you want? Last edited by Blackthorn; 10-08-2006 at 06:54 AM..

10-08-2006, 06:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
Sultana Falling Angel Location: L.A. L.A. land	Oh, I love seeing that age progression--what an adorable fluffy baby he started out as, and what a beautful grown up he makes. He must be easy-going, with that chicken on his head __________________ "Love is a snowmobile racing across the tundra and then suddenly it flips over, pinning you underneath. At night, the ice weasels come." - Matt Groening My goal? To fulfill my potential.

10-08-2006, 01:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
genuinegirly Eat your vegetables Super Moderator Location: Arabidopsis-ville	awwwwwwwwww What a cute one! I've never heard of the breed. Fascinating to learn about Belgian Shepherds. Thanks for sharing! __________________ "Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq "violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy

10-10-2006, 10:18 PM	#6 (permalink)
Sweetpea Fade out Location: in love	what a beautiful dog. I had no idea what a gorgeous and versatile breed this is. Quick question: We've been looking into getting a large dog as we live on 5 acers and spend a lot of time outdoors. however, we have a small pom. currently and two cats, How does the Belgian breed interact with smaller pet companions? Thanks sweetpea __________________ Having a Pet Will Change Your Life! Looking for a great pet?! Click Here! "I am the Type of Person Who Can Get Away With A lot, Simply Because I Don't Ask Permission for the Privilege of Being Myself"

10-11-2006, 06:46 AM	#7 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	He's a beauty... the chicken on his head is just wrong.. he will get even with you for that... __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

10-08-2006, 10:22 AM	#3 (permalink)
Elphaba Deja Moo Location: Olympic Peninsula, WA	I love this breed. We saw several of them during obedience training and their ability to learn quickly was amazing. Have you given any thought to Agility? They are naturals for it. Let us know if you head to Westminster, and we'll cheer on Chopper!

10-09-2006, 01:53 PM	#5 (permalink)
lindalove Registered User	Heh, I love how fluffy he looked at 5 weeks!

10-13-2006, 09:38 PM	#10 (permalink)
Ch'i Artist of Life	I've always been curious as to how you train a show dog to strike a pose like that. (nice looking dog by the way. sounds like he has a great personality.)

10-13-2006, 10:00 PM	#11 (permalink)
Brewmaniac Searching for the perfect brew!	Sweetpea, no worries dear, if you bring a puppy into a home with cats. Even the bigest dog breed, won't matter because the cats will rule over the puppy at a young age and they will be pals as aduts. We've done this several times and it's not a problem. Chopper is a beautiful dog, I'd love to have a Chopper! __________________ "That's a joke... I say, that's a joke, son" Last edited by Brewmaniac; 10-13-2006 at 10:13 PM..

10-17-2006, 10:07 AM	#12 (permalink)
JustJess Unencapsulated Location: Kittyville	Also - we had a Newfie, and our cats LOVED her. They're huge, and require plenty of brushing, but they are very intelligent and very gentle. Nothing bothers them! /end threadjack What a GORGEOUS puppy!! I just want to snuggle with all that soft fur! Awwwww! __________________ My heart knows me better than I know myself, so I'm gonna let it do all the talkin'.