Belgian Tervuren Dog Breed

AKC Dog Breeds: Belgian Tervuren

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Herding Group
Height: 22-26 inches Weight: 60-75 pounds Color: fawn to russet mahogany with black marks

The Belgian Tervuren is a breed of dog that is often classified as a Belgian Shepherd dog. In the United States, the American Kennel Club (AKC) calls them Belgian Tervuren, however in Canada, they are recognized as a member of the Belgian Shepherd dog. The history of the Belgian Tervuren traces back to the 1880s when the Tervuren, German shepherd, French shepherds and Dutch shepherds were all called Continental Shepherd Dogs. This breed originated in the late 19th century. As herding dogs, the Belgian Tervuren was bred based on such traits as temperament, trainability, and intelligence. However, with the popularity of dog shows, breeders produced a breed that retained the original attributes as well as beauty and grace. Belgian Tervurens are well established in the United States, but is still relatively rare. These dogs were originally bred for the herding and guarding of sheep, and the breed was registered with the AKC in 1912, but was registered as the Belgian Sheepdog until 1959.

General Appearance
The Belgian Tervuren is a large, well built dog with a handsome yet rather sharp looking face. The first impression of the Belgian Tervuren is that of a well-balanced, medium-size dog, elegant in appearance, standing squarely on all fours, with proud carriage of head and neck. He is strong, agile, well-muscled, alert and full of life. He gives the impression of depth and solidity without bulkiness. The Belgian Tervuren has a very harsh coat of medium to long length that consists of a straight black-tipped overcoat and then a dense under coat. Together they give an overlay appearance. There is thicker coat of hair on the rump and back of the legs. There is also a thicker pile of hair around the neck that looks like a collar. This shows up more on the male than the female.

Temperament
The Belgian Tervuren is a lively and happy dog known for their loyalty and protectiveness. They are happiest when they are doing something, specifically with their owner. They were originally bred as a herding dog and his herding instincts will still surface from time to time such as circle and nipping at heels. The Tervuren has a very high intelligence, is easy to train, and is known for having a great sense of humor. If you could hear them laughing, you would. He is very gentle dog with this family members and people he knows well, but more guarded with strangers. They are very playful and always alert with their eyes erect constantly paying close attention to what is happening around them. When you are talking to them, you can tell they are listening. Belgian Tervurens are exceedingly loyal and deeply devoted. They thrive on human companionship and need to be an integral part of the family. They must be given loving attention for if they are ignored they will become destructive.

Grooming
You will need to groom and brush the coat of the Belgian Tervuren on a daily basis during the heavier shedding periods, but over the rest of the year a once weekly brush of the coat should be sufficient. They are high shedders, and this means that they are not best suited to those with allergies or people who hate finding hair all around the house.

Health Problems and Life Expectancy
The life expectancy of the Belgian Tervuren is 12-14 years. There are various health problems and issues that are associated with this breed, and this includes elbow dysplasia and HD, thyroid problems, cataracts, and epilepsy.

Activity Level
The Belgian Tervuren thrives on vigorous activity. They enjoy agility and play sessions with their family. They are not well suited for sedentary owners or apartment dwelling. Belgian Tervurens prefer a country setting with room to roam, or a home with a large securely fenced yard. They make terrific jogging and hiking companions as well as enthusiastic and trustworthy workers.

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