The Belgian Tervuren dog stands out for its beauty and spectacular coat. It is also an excellent working dog that has proven its worth in assisting people or providing security. If we adopt it, we must consider the great stimulation it needs. Read the article to find out more about this unique breed.
History of The Belgain Tervuren Dog
As its name makes clear, it is a dog breed from Belgium. Tervuren is a Belgian town. But its origin is not clear. Some place it in the Middle Ages, while other hypotheses place it later and speak of the 19th century. In its beginnings, it was a cattle herding dog.
However, keeping them as companion dogs in security or assistance roles is more common. This breed is interconnected to the Groenendael dog. It seems proven that the Belgian Shepherd Tervueren descends from them. Litters of this breed can occasionally result in Belgian Tervueren puppies.
At the end of World War II, this breed was considered to be on the verge of extinction. Fortunately, its popularity has increased over the decades, mainly due to the new functions it has been performing. The best known is drug detection. Many specimens work on borders stopping smuggling.
Physical Characteristics of The Belgian Tervuren Dog
It is a large, well-proportioned, athletic, agile, muscular, and light dog. It also has a spectacular coat. It is striking for its beauty and elegance, which can make you forget that we are, above all, dealing with a working dog. The head is elongated and thin. The muzzle tapers towards the tip and has powerful jaws.
Key Traits
- Weight: 27.5-28.5 kg.
- Height: 56-66 cm.
- Life expectancy: 12-14 years.
The erect ears convey a feeling of alertness. The eyes are dark and almond-shaped. The back legs are slim and athletic, well covered with hair. The feet are rounded, with hard, black nails. The tail is conical and thickly furred.
Its long, smooth coat is double-pigmented, with hairs that are lighter at the base than at the tip.
The coat color is often grey, red, and sandy with a black mask. It is characterized by a very dense outer coat and undercoat. It is long over most of the body, but there are differences in certain areas. On the face, it is dark and short. On the neck and forehest, it forms a considerable collar.
Temperament and Personality
The Belgian Tervueren dog is an affectionate and loyal companion who will protect his home and family. As with all breeds with a protective tendency, it is not advisable to encourage his protective instincts when he is young, as he may start to protect you in inappropriate situations. His natural protective instincts will come out if and when necessary.
Training and Exercise Needs
A life without sport? Never, ever! The Belgian Shepherd Tervuren dog is very active and intelligent and needs to be stimulated. Short walks around the block will never satisfy him. If you are thinking of adopting this dog, be aware that he will need to be exercised and entertained for several hours a day. He should not be short of varied walks, canine sports like agility or competitive sports, and mental exercises.
If he is physically and mentally stimulated, this former working dog can be an easy-going, obedient, and affectionate family dog. He is affectionate, friendly, and cuddly, and loves children very much. After all, children are very much in their element when it comes to playing and frolicking. However, children must learn to respect the limits and needs of this proud dog. According to his training and socialization, this sensitive dog may seem nervous or moody. However, he never becomes aggressive, particularly with his caregivers, whom he loves and protects no matter what.
Care and Maintenance
If you are thinking of adopting a Belgian Tervuren dog, you should be aware of the care it will need. Like all dogs, it needs to be groomed and its hair, ears, eyes, teeth, and nails checked regularly. This is the only way to prevent or detect infections or illnesses in time. Despite its hair length, this dog is easy to care for and its coat does not tend to tangle, unlike that of other breeds. Brushing it two or three times a week is enough to keep it healthy. Bathing is rarely necessary.
The important thing is to get him used to brushing and checking his paws, ears, and teeth as soon as possible. The Belgian Shepherd Tervuren is very temperamental and does not take sitting still very well, especially when he is young. With patience, perseverance, and the prospect of a reward – snacks, petting, or play – you can surely convince him to stay still.
Health Problems and Diet
Their physical health is generally excellent. To mention a disease, it seems that the breed has a certain tendency to have seizure disorders or epilepsy. Hip dysplasia is another point to pay attention to, as this is a large breed.
Psychologically, a Belgian Shepherd Tervueren cannot be happy if it does not get enough physical exercise, which is what such an active dog requires. If it does not release its great energy, it will end up frustrated and stressed, which will trigger behavioral problems.
Excessive barking, destruction, anxiety, or inappropriate elimination are some of the signs that indicate that our Belgian Shepherd Tervueren needs a modification of its routines. To implement this, we can contact a canine behavior specialist or an ethologist.
Feeding The Belgian Tervuren Dog
The question of what food is best for dogs and which diet is the healthiest for the Belgian Shepherd Tervuren cannot be answered categorically. Even though they belong to the same breed, dogs have different nutritional demands. and energy. After all, this depends less on the breed than on individual criteria, such as age, weight, size, activity, health status, and use of the dog. Therefore, it is worth talking to the veterinarian about the nutritional needs of your furry friend.
When the dog is a few weeks old you should give him special puppy food. These foods meet their special needs and prevent premature growth. Regardless of their requirements, adult dogs need 70-80 percent meat to cover their protein needs. They should also be provided with vegetables and some fruit. However, the food should contain very few unhealthy carbohydrates, such as cereals. Sugar, artificial flavor enhancers, and chemical preservatives are strictly prohibited.
Bringing Home a Belgian Tervuren Dog
If you want to buy a dog of a rare breed, be aware that searching for breeders will take time. Don’t rule out that you may have to travel long distances and wait a long time to receive your puppy. Take this time and do not buy the first puppy that an irresponsible seller offers you, such as a Belgian Shepherd. If you are looking for a healthy dog with an established character and do not want any unpleasant surprises, always go to a serious breeder. This person should have a lot of experience with the breed and, if possible, advise and help you even after the purchase. A purebred Tervueren Shepherd with all the tests, vaccinations, and necessary papers costs 1000 euros or more.
Does it fit me?
In addition to considering care and feeding appropriate to the species, ask yourself how you want to stimulate the Belgian Tervuren dog physically and mentally. This breed is not suitable for homebodies who prefer the couch to the outdoors. It needs plenty of exercise and varied activities to exercise body and mind. Although it is desirable to have a garden, the size of the plot is not as important as the time you spend with your dog on walks, bike rides, or hikes.
The more activities you do together, whether in the forest or the garden or doing sports, the closer the bond between you will be. This will result in a more obedient and calm dog. Even beginners can train your dog without problems. To do this, they must be enterprising, active, and creative to satisfy the dog’s needs for exercise and entertainment. What is clear is that with the Belgian Shepherd Tervuren, you will never be bored.
Conclusion
The Belgian Tervueren dog is very wary of strangers. After all, herding and watching over their flock is in the blood of Belgian Shepherd. Of course, as a family dog, these qualities are less in demand today. However, thanks to its intelligence and easy understanding, it easily enjoys other tasks. In recent years, it has proven its worth as a guide dog for blind and disabled people. The important thing is that the Belgian Tervueren dog feels that it is needed and can get enough exercise. It will follow you to the ends of the earth and live up to its reputation as an easy-to-train family dog.
