Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren)
The long-coated, black-tipped fawn Belgian Shepherd: graceful, alert and happiest with a job to do.
At a glance
- Size
- Large
- Height at the withers
- Males 60–66 cm · Females 56–62 cm
- Weight
- Males 25–30 kg · Females 20–25 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–14 years
- Exercise
- 90–150 min a day
- Grooming
- A few times a week
- Coat
- Double coat, long
- Colours
- Fawn, Grey, Sable
- Bred for
- Herding, Guarding, Rescue work, Companionship
- Country of origin
- Belgium
- FCI
- Group 1, no. 15 · Sheepdogs & cattle dogs
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 5/5 – Very high |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with other dogs | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with cats | 2/5 – Low |
| Open to strangers | 2/5 – Low |
| Energy | 5/5 – Very high |
| Playfulness | 4/5 – High |
| Needs mental stimulation | 5/5 – Very high |
| Easy to train | 5/5 – Very high |
| Prey drive | 4/5 – High |
| Watchful and protective | 4/5 – High |
| Barking | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Shedding | 4/5 – High |
| Grooming effort | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 2/5 – Low |
| Suits apartment living | 1/5 – Very low |
| Adaptability | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with being alone | 1/5 – Very low |
| Copes with heat | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with cold | 4/5 – High |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want an elegant, active working companion
- enjoy training and dog sports
- can include the dog in daily life
Think twice if you …
- work long hours away from home
- want minimal grooming
- are looking for a low-energy pet
Care
Temperament
Tervurens are intelligent, alert and affectionate with family. They are usually reserved with strangers and naturally watchful. Many are sensitive and pick up quickly on their owner's mood.
Exercise
At least an hour and a half of daily activity, with both physical and mental work. Herding, agility, obedience and tracking suit them.
Grooming
Brush the long coat a few times a week to prevent tangles behind the ears and in the trousers. Seasonal shedding is substantial.
Training
Highly trainable and keen to please when training is positive and varied. Thorough socialisation in puppyhood helps it stay confident.
Health
Tervurens are generally healthy, but hip and elbow dysplasia, epilepsy, hypothyroidism and some eye conditions occur. Breeding dogs are usually hip, elbow and eye screened, so ask the breeder for results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Elbows (ED)
- Eye examination
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Tervuren is named after the village of Tervuren east of Brussels, where M. F. Corbeel kept some of the first long-haired fawn dogs of this type around 1900. It shares its standard with the other Belgian varieties and differs mainly in its long coat, which is fawn or grey with black tipping and a dark mask.
Living with a Tervuren means living with an active, observant partner. It loves to work alongside its owner and does well in many sports. It is affectionate at home and tends to follow its people from room to room, and it needs daily exercise and training to stay settled.
Did you know?
The Tervuren takes its name from the Belgian village where one of its early breeders, M. F. Corbeel, lived.