Belgian Tervuren

The Belgian Tervuren is the long-coated fawn variety of the Belgian shepherd, named for the village its founding breeder worked in.

History

It was separated from the other Belgian sheepdogs by coat and colour when the four varieties were standardised in the 1890s. Unlike the Malinois it stayed closer to herding and companion work, and it has since become a common competitor in obedience and agility.

Temperament

The breed is known for being alert, sensitive and intensely attached to its people, watchful with strangers and quick to notice anything out of place. It is a thinking dog that takes correction hard.

Care and training

It needs substantial exercise and mental work, and reward-based training suits it far better than pressure. The long double coat sheds seasonally and needs regular brushing.

Health

Known tendencies include hip dysplasia, epilepsy and progressive retinal atrophy. These are patterns for the breed rather than a forecast for one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.