Belgian Tervuren

Are you looking for a muscly-y breed with a tender heart and nothing but loyalty towards owners—the Belgium Tervuren is for you! This dog has won the hearts of thousands of people with their appearance and charisma. 

To make it easier for you to decide, we have everything you need to know about this magnificent dog breed. So, let’s begin!

Overview

Origin of the Belgian Tervuren

As the name suggests, the Belgian Tervuren dog breed originated from an area called “The Belgium village of Tervuren.” The primary purpose of this breed was to be a herding and guarding dog. They protected the livestock and were recognized in huge numbers during the 19th and 20th centuries.

The Belgian Tervuren dog breed has a rich ancestral history. M.F. Corbeel was the breeder of this magnificent dog breed, which made Belgian Tervuren an intelligent and strong breed. You must have guessed by their appearance that these dogs are one of the four Belgian shepherds. Their siblings are- Belgian Malinois, Groenendael’ and Laekenois. They all had similar work roles in the past and the modern era.

This versatile dog breed won the hearts of not just the natives but also the armed forces and the police. Due to Belgian Tervuren’s strong work ethic, body build, temperament, agility, and obedience, they gained popularity among dog sports and festival enthusiasts.

Appearance of the Belgian Tervuren

Every dog has an individual personality and characteristics that become the identification of that dog. When it comes to Belgian Tervurens, their appearance does it for them. So here are the details about the appearance characteristics of the Belgian sheepdog:

1. Size and body

This medium-sized dog breed is known for its distinctive appearance, which brings Belgian Tervurens closer to the other three siblings. This dog breed is about 24-26 inches and weighs almost 40-75 pounds. Generally, females are smaller than males.

Rest, they have a well-proportioned body, which adds more grace to their overall appearance. The Belgian Tervuren dog breed has muscles around their shoulders and legs, making them more sturdy and strong in fight mode. 

2. Coat

Now, talking about their most prominent features, Belgian Tervurens have a long, luscious double coat that protects them from harsh weather conditions. They are covered with fur coats, mostly around their withers, neck, and shoulders. Their water-resistant coat helps them to swim and hunt underwater as well. 

This dense and soft coat comes in various shades such as fawn, black, brown, etc. Often, black or white patches cover their “beard-like” fur. Moreover, their mouths also have black mask markings, which sets them apart from other dog breeds. 

3. Other features

The Belgian Tervuren dog breed has erect ears, making them an alert and smart dog breed aware of its surroundings. They are highly attentive, which is evident in how they carry themselves. The dog’s almond-shaped, dark brown eyes make them appear strict and unapproachable. However, once they are familiar with you, all you will get to see are those puppy eyes.

Personality and Temperament

Belgian Tervurens have temperament and personality traits that set them apart from other dog breeds. Below are all the traits and characteristics that will help you decide whether or not this breed is a match for you:

1. Affectionate

The Belgian Tervuren dog breed is highly affectionate. As is evident in their rich history as well, these dogs are capable of forming emotional bonds. They are very polite and protective of their human families. 

2. Intelligent and Independent thinkers

Another personality trait is that these dogs believe in making decisions alone. Even if you leave them in a wardrobe full of 50 bows, unlike us indecisive humans, Belgian Tervuren will choose and wear one quickly. On a serious note- this dog breed is intelligent and witty, so you should enroll them in mentally stimulating exercises.  

3. Energetic

One of the most admiring features of the Belgian Tervuren dog breed is their energy levels. Dog enthusiasts who are fans of “not-so-lazy” dog breeds will love how active Belgian Tervurens are. If you are someone who is looking for a gym buddy, then this is it!

4. Not aggressive

You would be happy to know this dog breed is not aggressive! They are pretty intimidating by their looks, but they will be your kindest dogs if they know you enough! Their protective nature and dedication may translate to aggression. However, Belgian Tervurens actually have a pretty cool temperament.

5. Courageous

Last but not least, the Belgian Tervuren dog breed is strong-willed and courageous. They may not be the ones to pick up the fights, but they will not step back to defend themselves and their owners. Their instincts and qualities make them a strong dog breed. This also justifies why the armed forces worked with Belgian Tervurens.

Belgian Tervurens may look very serious and “strong bad guys,” but in reality, they are very comical and sensitive.

Grooming Needs of the Belgian Tervuren

Every dog has certain grooming needs that should be fulfilled from time to time. Due to their heavy fur coat, which sheds quite a lot, the Belgian Tervuren dog breed is a high-maintenance breed. Here is a guide on the “essentials of grooming” Belgian Tervurens.

1. Brushing

The Belgian Tervuren has a thick fur coat that needs regular brushing. Brushing their coat at least twice a week would be best. This will help to remove the loose hair and detangle their fur. You can use a wide-toothed comb and a slicker brush to remove matting and unnecessary sheds. 

2. Bathing and cleaning

It would be best to bathe the Belgian Tervuren dog breed monthly (once a month). This is to remove all the dirt and smell from their body. Otherwise, you can give them a warm bath if they visibly look dirty or spread a smell in your house. You should use dog supplies like dog-friendly shampoo, conditioner, and soap for bathing. Human products can cause skin irritation and infections. Hence, you should only use products safe for dogs.  

Besides this, dogs can also get eye boogers or ear wax build-up. To clean these, you can use a clean damp cloth. 

3. Trimming

As Belgian Tervuren has relatively longer hair than other dog breeds, you should trim them from time to time. We do not recommend shaving off the coat as it can expose your dog’s skin to sun or skin infection. For trimming, you can either get help from professional groomers or have trimming supplies at home!

Exercise and Training Needs

We’ll be honest! Training Belgian Tervurens can be a hell of a task. Not because they are lazy but because it’s never enough for them. You must train them for at least 2 hours daily to keep them active. Due to high energy, it is essential to direct in the right direction.

So, to guide you with that, here are the training essentials of the Belgian Tervuren dog breed: 

1. Daily walks

To start their day, you should take the Belgian Tervurens on a walk for 30 minutes. You can exceed it as per your dog’s mood. During the walking sessions, you can teach them basic obedience by using several commands like—”run,” “stay,” or “sit.”

The best way to do it is through leash training, as you can help Tervurens navigate. If they follow the instructions, you can reward them as a part of positive reinforcement. 

2. Agility training

As this dog breed has high training needs, you should enroll them in physical training that exhausts them. If you do not exhaust or use their energy levels, Belgian Tervurens can develop behavioral problems. Hence, let them participate in dog sports, agility training sessions, and other rigorous training methods. 

3. Mental stimulation

Lastly, as the Belgian Tervuren dog breed is intelligent and creative, you should encourage them. How? You can challenge their critical thinking, scent & hunt skills, or by stimulating them mentally with natural surroundings. Such activities will make them feel challenged and give them a sense of accomplishment. 

Physical and mental activities will tire the Belgian Tervuren dog breed enough to let you sleep peacefully. It is also essential to know that this dog breed is susceptible to health problems like obesity, eye problems, hip dysplasia, epilepsy, thyroid, etc.

Conclusion

Our final thoughts on the Belgian Tervuren dog breed is that if they match your personality and you are willing to make efforts to train them- then this breed is for you!

However, we do not recommend these dogs for first-time dog owners due to Belgian Tervuren’s high maintenance and training needs. Rest assured that this breed will prove to be the best pet and one of the most versatile ones.

Frequently Asked Questions