Belgian Tervuren

The Tervuren dog is a breed of dog originating in Belgium. It is a medium sized dog, square and proportionate body, belonging to the family of herding dogs. They are intelligent, loyal and active dogs.

General details

The Tervuren is a medium sized dog. They measure 56 to 66 centimeters in height at the withers and weigh 20 to 30 kilos. Their life expectancy is between 12 and 13 years. According to the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, it belongs to category 1, Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs).

Breed history in brief

The Tervuren is a breed of dog originating from the town of Tervuren, located in the Flemish region of Belgium. The breed was developed in the late 19th century by co-breeding several types of local sheepdogs, including the Belgian Malinois, another Belgian sheepdog, to create a versatile and intelligent herding dog. Tervurens were originally used to herd and guard flocks of sheep, and also served as police and military dogs during World War I and World War II. They were known for their intelligence, agility and bravery, and were used to perform a variety of tasks, including tracking, search and rescue, and protection. After World War II, the Tervuren became better known as a companion and working dog, and was used for a variety of tasks, such as therapeutic work, obedience training and agility competitions. Today, they are still used for herding and guarding, but are also popular as family pets due to their loyalty, intelligence and affectionate nature.

Breed characteristics

The Belgian Tervuren is a medium to large dog breed that is part of the Belgian Shepherd family. They have a muscular and athletic build, with a deep chest and straight back. Their tail is long and feathered, and their legs are long and sturdy. The Belgian Tervuren has a wedge-shaped head with a long, straight muzzle. Its eyes are almond-shaped and can be brown, green or amber in color. Its ears are triangular and erect. The hair is long all over the body except for the face where it is short, red (mahogany or fawn) charcoal or charcoal gray. It is a thick, double-coated coat that should be brushed regularly to remove dead hair. They may have a small white spot on the chest or on the toes. They have a well pronounced black mask of hair on the face. They are very intelligent dogs, with an alert and perceptive personality. They are accustomed to a life as guard dogs and in protection work. Of the four Belgian Shepherds, they are the best with children, although they can be wary of other dogs. They have a dominant behavior that can be problematic with unprepared owners.

Common health problems

Like all dog breeds, the Tervuren is susceptible to certain health problems. Some of the most common health problems in the breed include elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia and epilepsy. In addition to the aforementioned conditions, the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) recommends an eye screening exam, as well as a test to assess for diseases such as autoimmune thyroiditis.