Is the Belgian Tervuren right for you?
- 1Belgian Tervurens are intelligent and obedient watchdogs, with a strong protective instinct.
- 2The Belgian Tervuren is gentle with kids but can be aggressive with other dogs.
- 3It is important to socialize Belgian Tervuren puppies with other dogs to avoid any aggression issues.
HISTORY
One of the four breeds of Belgian Shepherd, the Tervuren was named after a Belgian town of the same name. Looking like a longer haired German Shepherd, this breed became very popular as a companion dog. They are very bright dogs and make excellent family pets, as well as good working dogs in a number of fields such as police or military dogs, guarding, and training and obstacle competitions.
Quick Facts
Size
Large
Lifespan
12-14 years
Hair Length
Long, Medium
Male Height
24-26 inches (61-66 cm)
Male Weight
65-75 pounds (29-34 kg)
Female Height
22-24 (56-61)
Female Weight
60-70 pounds (27-32 kg)
Litter Size
6 to 10 puppies
Personality
A very intelligent breed, the Belgian Tervuren is highly trainable and very adept at executing a series of tasks. They have a somewhat serious demeanor, making them excellent guard and watch dogs, as well good for as working in service fields. Instinctive herders, these dogs need to be socialized early and trained well to prevent excessive aggression or protectiveness. Though they are easily trained, they will not take direction from an overly harsh or weak minded owner. An air of confidence and superiority is key when trying to train this breed. They also require a fair amount of exercise every day in order to maintain a healthy life. .
Color
The general coloring of the Belgian Tervuren is a certain reddish brown with black on their face and ears. Sometimes there will be spots of white on their chest and/or their toes.
Health Concerns
Though normally healthy, this breed has some minor and common concerns like:
- epilepsy
- skin allergies
- eye problems
- excessive shyness
Appearance
The Belgian Tervuren is a large breed with a strong, muscular, yet thin frame that, like their Malinois cousin, is very squarely built. They have small, triangular ears that stand upright and a moderately short, pointed muzzle. They have a long, double coat that is most pronounced around their chest, neck, forelegs, and tail.
