How often should a belgian shepherd be bathed?  Any more than any other breed?  Do they have skin allergies?

I've a few friends with this breed and they don't seem to need bathing any more often than average, and none have had any skin complaints as far as I know. Talking about Tervs and groens of course, but the mali's and laki's I've known have been fine too.

I have Malinois and in spite of being a dog groomer I only bath mine a couple of times a year. Skin problems are not common in the breed.

Don't forget you have 3 totally different coat types. :) I can only answer for Malinois. Mine get bathed before Crufts and when they have a heavy moult as that speeds the entire process up a lot, and sometimes if they have spent a lot of time outside when it has been wet and muddy they do need extra baths as you feel the coat isn't properly clean when you stroke them.

I've never had one with skin problems.

Again only Malinois experience but never had one with skin problems, cant remember the last time mine got bathed (probably after they got really muddy!)

I had a Groenendal as my first dog, sadly we lost her at 3 1/2 and I don't think I bathed her more than once or twice in that time.

I do live in town, so mainly clean pavements and the country park.  She was not a mud magnet, and wasn't into roiling in dead animals or fox poo.

They should have a harsh topcoat and soft undercoat so mud and dirt should shed off once dry with just good brushing.

One-and-a-half Belgians here - my long-haired one is a Belgian [Groenendael] cross, but again he needs very few baths - he prefers to bathe himself, as he is an addicted water-baby who loves to swim. He did scratch a lot on certain kibble foods including a lamb-and-rice one, but since he's been on raw and grain-free kibble, absolutely no problems. My other is a rescue Malinois, again no skin probs whatsoever. They seem to be a generally robust breed with few issues, although there can be a few exceptions, as in any breed.

I do have to say, in view of Brainless's post, that my Mali girl is an unholy roller and a walk isn't complete without finding something nasty to deck herself in... so washing down is par for the course - she is a rescue though and spent a lot of time kennelled and on her own, so I can forgive her in the main part - what I can't forgive is that she's passed the habit onto my other dog!!!

what a coincidence I asked goldimali the same question last week having heard  a very strange story about not bathing them more than once in 3 years as they have 3 different coat types.
She very quickly put me straight as  :)

I do have to say, in view of Brainless's post, that my Mali girl is an unholy roller and a walk isn't complete without finding something nasty to deck herself in...

Penny does that too!