The Belgian Tervuren is typically strong, agile, and proud-looking with heads held high. Belgian Tervurens were born for the show ring. The Belgian Tervuren dog breed was bred especially by dog fanciers as an offshoot of the Belgian Sheepdog breed. But the Belgian Tervuren breed is not all glamour. As sheepdogs, Tervurens remain protective of themselves and their families. Tervurens have centuries of hard work in their genes. They generally prefer constant motion over sitting still.
Here are the characteristics of the Belgian Tervuren breed as determined by the American Kennel Club's published breed standard.
Belgian Tervuren�s Behavior
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Recommended for: showdog, pet
The Belgian Tervuren is watchful and attentive. They are also constantly in motion. As a sheepdog, the breed tends to be guarded toward strangers and usually vigilant. But Belgian Tervurens can be very friendly, even with strangers--as long as they do not feel provoked.
Remember that breed only provides a general clue as to any individual dog's actual behavior. Make sure to get to know dogs well before bringing them into your home.
The Belgian Tervuren�s Physical Characteristics
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- Size: males: 24-26 inches; females: 22-24 inches
- Coat: overcoat of abundant long, close fitting, straight hairs over a dense undercoat.
- Color: "rich fawn to russet mahogany with black overlay," in the words of the American Kennel Club's breed standard
- Eyes: dark brown, medium-sized, slightly almond-shaped
- Ears: triangular, cupped, stiff, standing straight up
- Skull: flattened and as wide as long but no wider
- Muzzle: moderately pointed
- Nose: black
- Tail: sturdy
Belgian Tervuren�s Origins and History
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Note: the below facts are based on information in Wikipedia.
Original purpose: for showdog purposes, the Tervuren was developed as a separate breed from the Belgian Sheepdog. The Belgian Sheepdog, was, as the name implies, bred to herd sheep.
Historical notes: The Belgian Tervuren dog breed was originally a variety of the Belgian Sheepdog breed. In the UK and Canada, the Tervuren is not considered a distinct breed. There it is just one of four varieties of the Belgian Sheepdog. The other varieties are Groenendael, Laekenois, and Malinois. The American Kennel Club and its Australian and New Zealand counterparts consider the Belgian Tervuren a distinct breed.