Part of the Belgian Sheepdogs family, the Belgian Shepherd Tervuren is a highly energetic but obedient dog. It is one of the brightest dogs in the world and needs a confident owner who is able to have natural authority over the dog.
Character
Since this breed is instinctively protective, the owner of such a dog has to train and socialize it from the first weeks of the dog's life. Avoid being overbearing or harsh. Otherwise, the dog will most likely become uncooperative. It is a dog used intensively as a police and guard dog, or in agility contests, showmanship events, and tracking events. Even so, it is a very good dog to have as a family pet, if the owner will train it properly and make sure to challenge it mentally.
The Belgian Shepherd Tervuren is an alert and loyal dog that is watchful at all times and is very good with children. But, for this to happen, the dog has to be socialized with them. It is highly advisable to avoid keeping this dog locked up in a kennel, as it needs to feel that it is considered an important part of the family. The dog also needs daily exercise and leadership training as well as companionship. Without these, the dog has the tendency to become destructive and display rebellious behavior.
Known for being able to comprehend quickly, the Shepherd Tervuren has a high mental capacity and has great stamina. For this reason, it must have a job to do in order to feel needed. You will have to be careful when introducing the dog to other small pets, because it usually prefers being dominant towards such pets and can display unwanted reactions. There has to be an owner who is capable of firmly controlling the dog.
Appearance
The male Belgian Shepherd Tervuren has a height between 24 and 26 inches (61 to 66 cm) at 65-75 pounds, and their female companions have a height ranging between 22 and 24 inches (56 to 61 cm) and weigh around 60-70 pounds. The chin, toes, and chest may have some white areas. The dog's coat usually gets darker as it gets older. Usually, the dewclaws are removed.
As far as its appearance is concerned, the Belgian Shepherd Tervuren features a square-shaped body and tight, black lips. The almond-shaped eyes are dark brown. The dog's chest is deep and it reaches the elbows while the feet have a cat-like shape. It has a dense undercoat while the outer coat is straight. The coat colors include rich fawn, various shades of gray, and russet mahogany.
Health & Hygiene
This breed doesn't suffer from any major health problems, but it is worth mentioning that some of the dogs might suffer from skin allergies, epilepsy, excessive shyness, or elbow and hip dysplasia. It is important not to overfeed the dog, because it has the tendency to become lazy and obese. Keep in mind that the Belgian Shepherd Tervuren is accustomed to an active outdoor life, so it will
