With the exception of the AKC, the Belgian Shepherd Dog is recognized as a single breed with four types or varieties based on coat and color:

Groenendael - long-coated solid black
Laekenois - rough-coated fawn with traces of black
Malinois - short-coated fawn with black overlay and mask
Tervuren - long-coated fawn with black overlay

The AKC recognizes three of the types as separate breeds: Belgian Malinois, Belgian Tervuren, and the Belgian Sheepdog (the Groenendael). It does not recognize the Laekenois.

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