Belgian Shepherd Tervuren
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Breed Attributes
General
Breed group: Herding Type: Pure Breed Talent: Agility, Competitive Obedience, Guarding, Obedience, Police Work, Retrieving, Schutzhund, Search & Rescue, Tracking, Tricks, Watchdog
Physical
Size: Large Weight: 65-75 lbs Fur length: Long Ears: Pointy Fur type: Straight Fur Color: Black & Brown
ATTRIBUTES
Life Expectancy: About 12 Â 14 years. Rarity: Common Availability: Hard to find Climate: Good for every climate.
Breed Details
General
The Belgian Tervuren comes from a Belgian village named Tervuren. This dog is one of the four Belgian sheepdogs breeds (the Malinois, the Laekenois, the Groenendael and the Tervuren).
Those four breeds are considerate, in most parts of the world, as the same breed, but have been recognized (except for the Laekenois) in America in 1959 by the AKC. Brewer M. Corbeel was the first to create the Tervuren breed with a fawn dog and a black long-haired dog.
Color
The Body of the Belgian Tervuren varies from fawn to mahogany with black. The fawn hairs often have black tips. The Belgian Tervuren becomes darker with age. The chest is usually black but can also be a mix of black and gray and can have a little bit of white. This breed has a black mask and black ears. The tail's tip is usually darker and the tips of the toes are white.
Coat
The Tervuren's coat is long, straight, profuse and tight. The hairs must not be silky or wiry but of a medium roughness. The undercoat is extremely dense, but however adapts very well with climatic conditions. The hairs are shorter on the head, outside the ears and on the front of the legs. Long and profuse hair around the neck forms a kind of mane. The back of the forelegs are fringed with long hairs and the tail with long and abundant hairs. The females usually have shorter hair than the males.
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 also make excellent alert police dogs, which they are often used for. The Tervuren, serious and watchful, may be shy with some strangers. Because of its herding instinct, this dog may try to herd some of the family members by nipping their heels. This breed is good with children and will be affectionate and friendly with those it loves. Courageous and dominant, it might not get along well with other dogs. It's a possessive dog, but must never show viciousness.
Care
The Tervuren is a very healthy breed with no major concerns. However, they can sometimes have epilepsy, skin allergies or eye problems. If this breed is overfed, it may become lazy and obese. The Tervuren must be brushed and combed every day. The mats that are formed should be clipped out, and also hair between the toes and on the outer ears. This dog is a constant shedder: males shed heavily once a year and females, twice a year.
Training
Because of its highly protective behavior, this breed needs to be socialized at an early age. The training must be done by an experienced and firm master. The Tervuren should not be treated harshly. If so, it may become uncooperative. This is a good working and herding dog that excels at competitive obedience.
Activity
The Tervuren needs an active outdoor life. Effectively, it demands a lot of daily exercise in which it could run freely. If this breed is ignored it may find ways to entertain itself that will not necessary please the owner. This is a very energetic dog that always needs a job to do.
