BELGIAN TERVUREN
APPEARANCE
The Belgian Tervuren, one of four Belgian Sheepdogs, is a large, slender, square proportioned dog in the sheepdog family. The entire body is solid and muscular without looking bulky, but rather elegant. The coat of these dogs is long, straight, and thick, and the coloring includes fawn, red, or gray, with a black mask and black tipped hairs. The ears of the Belgian Tervuren stand erect, and he has a very alert and intelligent expression. The height of the Belgian Tervuren is around 22-26 inches, and these dogs weigh in at around 45-80 pounds.
PERSONALITY
The Belgian Tervuren is a very smart and obedient dog. This devoted, loyal and extremely territorial dog is very protective of its family and makes a great guard dog. They are happiest when they are doing something, specifically with their owner. Because the Tervuren is a herding dog, it can sometimes nip at the heels of small children or other pets. They thrive on attention and praise and need lots of attention. They are extremely energetic dogs that love to play.
TRAINING
The Belgian Shepherd Tervuren is highly intelligent and obedient. However, they are very demanding and dominant. They are not recommended for inexperienced dog owners. The Tervuren thrives on pleasing his master and will respond well to positive reinforcement. This breed will resent and not respond to harsh or heavy-handed methods. Training must be done with firmness, fairness, patience, consistency, and reward.
EXERCISE
You should provide your Belgian Tervuren with plenty of exercise, as well as mental stimulation, to reduce the risk of boredom. The Tervuren love to retrieve things and this is a great source of exercise. To avoid your Tervuren being bored at home and resorting to destructive behavior, you need to give him enough exercise to tire him out.
SOCIALIZATION
The Belgian Shepherd Tervuren tends to get along well with older, gentle children, and should be okay with other household pets when properly socialized. It is imperative that children not engage the Tervuren in chasing games, tug-of-war, or rough-house play. Care should be taken around smaller pets such as cats and rabbits, as the Belgian Tervuren may see them as prey.
LIVING CONDITIONS
This breed does best as a housedog that has access to a yard, though it may be made to live outdoors in moderate to breezy conditions. They are not recommended for city or apartment living. The Tervuren does best in a rural setting with a job to do and ample room to safely roam, run, work, and play.
GROOMING
It is important to groom your Tervuren daily, using a sturdy bristled brush as well as a detangling comb. Mats should be trimmed with grooming shears, and you may also need to trim the hair that grows between the toes. When bathing your Belgian Tervuren use a mild dog shampoo and try not to bathe more frequently than once a month. They are high shedders, and this means that they are not best suited to those with allergies.
HEALTH ISSUES
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.
HISTORY
The Belgian Tervuren comes from a Belgian village named Tervuren. 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.
