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Pastoral group · Belgium

Belgian Tervuren

Also called Tervuren, Terv, Chien de Berger Belge.

Large dog, high energy, learns almost anything, fast.

  • Intelligent
  • Courageous
  • Alert
  • Devoted
  • Elegant
AI-generated illustration of an adult Belgian Tervuren
AI-generated illustration
Size
Large
Weight
20 to 34 kg45 to 75 lb
Lives
12 to 14 years
Energy
High
Trains
Very High
Barks
High

Training

Training a Belgian Tervuren

Pastoral breeds. Give the brain a job or it will find one. Chasing, nipping and fixating are the breed doing its work.

  1. Early Socialisation

    Start here

    Natural wariness of strangers requires extensive early positive experiences with people.

  2. Channel the Energy

    Excel in agility, herding, obedience, and tracking, give them a job.

  3. Positive Methods

    Sensitive and intelligent, responds best to reward-based training with variety.

The app turns this into five to fifteen minutes a day.

Add your Belgian Tervuren and it builds the plan around their age, where they came from and what they already know, on video with Atlas and Shango.

Free to start. iPhone. No card needed.

At home

Living with one

Bred to herd and guard livestock. Watchful, responsive, and wired to control movement.

Gets on with

  • ChildrenHigh
  • Other dogsModerate
  • StrangersLow
  • CatsModerate

Breed averages. Early socialisation and the individual dog matter more.

Exercise
1.5-2 hours daily. Needs both physical activity and mental challenges.
Grooming
Heavy shedding. Daily brushing required, especially during seasonal coat blow.
Drool
Low
Coat
Long, Double coat, DenseFawn to Mahogany with Black Overlay, Black Mask
In a flat
Needs more space than a flat gives.

Health

Things to ask a breeder or vet about

  • Hip Dysplasia

    Moderate

    Joint condition affecting large breeds

  • Epilepsy

    Moderate

    Inherited seizure disorder

  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy

    Moderate

    Degenerative eye condition

Where they come from

History

Named after the village of Tervuren, Belgium. Developed by breeder M.F. Corbeel in the late 1800s. Known for the beautiful mahogany coat with black overlay.

Similar breeds

All breeds

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