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Dog Breeds

Belgian Tervuren Dog Breed.

Belgian Tervuren training, care, history, temperament, and characteristics

Group: Herding

Weight: 65 - 75 pounds

Height: 22 - 26 inches

Life Expectancy: About 12 - 14 years

Size of Litters: Average of 6 - 10 puppies

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History

The Belgian Tervuren is one of four distinct shepherd breeds hailing from Belgium. This particular breed is named for the Belgian village of Tervuren where it was developed. The Tervuren's cousins are the other three Belgian Shepherds, which include the Goenendael (sometimes called simply the Belgian Sheepdog), the Malinois and the Laekenois. This hard working, intelligent dog has been used for herding, military and police work, for specialized schutzhund training, as a guard dog and as a beloved family companion for many years. The Belgian Tervuren gained AKC recognition in the United States as its own breed, separate from the other Belgian Shepherd breeds, in 1958. While the Malinois and the Laekenois frequently work as guard, police and military dogs, the Belgian Sheepdog and the Tervuren are seen more often as companion dogs.

Characteristics

The Belgian Tervuren is a large dog, but does not have an overly muscular frame. It has a lovely, freeflowing gait. The medium-length coat is very full and dense, and can be anywhere from light fawn to dark mahogany, or even gray. Many Tervurens darken in coat color as they age. This is a double-coated dog, so a thick undercoat is present beneath the longer guard hairs. The Belgian Tervuren's ears are pointy and it has a beautiful feathered tail.

Temperament

Like the other Belgian Shepherd breeds, the Tervuren was bred to work long hours with its herds and has a very serious work ethic. This dog tends to be extremely protective, so extensive socialization is an absolute must, beginning at an early age. Belgian Tervurens that have been exposed to a variety of social settings and circumstances as pups will be less likely to become excessively shy. This is a sensitive breed and does not like to be left alone. It longs to be part of the family and thrives with loving care and attention. The Belgian Tervuren gets along nicely with children if properly socialized. A few strains of the Belgian Tervuren can be dominant toward other dogs, so make introductions to other canines with care.

Care

The biggest concern with the Belgian Tervuren's dense coat is shedding. While shedding occurs year-round, this breed is also considered a seasonal shedder. This means it will shed profusely about twice a year. During these heavy shedding periods, daily brushing is mandatory to remove excess hair. It is not uncommon for huge amounts of undercoat to come out during this time. The Belgian Tervuren should be brushed frequently during other parts of the year in order to avoid matting. Mats on this breed most often form in the thick ruff of hair around the neck and on the legs. Matting can become painful for a dog if knots form too close to the skin, so it should be avoided as much as possible. For more detailed info, take a look at the Belgian Tervuren Grooming page.

Training

The Belgian Tervuren excels at all types of obedience training, but it is a demanding breed. If not properly trained, this dog can be difficult to control. An experienced handler with a firm, but kind, hand will do well with the Belgian Tervuren. This breed will not tolerate harsh training methods and will shut down if treated cruelly. It tends to be a one or two-person dog, forming a very close bond with its favorites. With its sharp intelligence and desire to work, the Belgian Tervuren excels at competitive obedience. With its roots as a herding dog, the Tervuren is accustomed to spending large amounts of time outdoors working in the fields. Your Tervuren will thrive with plenty of exercise, such a long, daily walk.