Skip to content
ShareYourPets

Belgian Tervuren

The Tervuren is the long-coated fawn-to-mahogany variety of the Belgian shepherd, with black overlay on the coat and a black mask.

It is named for the Belgian village of Tervuren and was standardised alongside the other three varieties in the 1890s.

It stands 56 to 66 centimetres, weighs 20 to 30 kilograms and lives twelve to fourteen years. It is regarded as one of the most intelligent working breeds and it is correspondingly demanding: Tervurens need constant mental engagement, and they are quick to develop obsessive behaviours when they do not get it. They are also notably sensitive and strongly attached to their person.

Origin
Tervuren, Belgium, 1890s
Size
56–66 cm; 20–30 kg
Lifespan
12–14 years
Coat
Long fawn to mahogany with black overlay and mask
Temperament
Extremely intelligent and sensitive; needs constant work
Health
Epilepsy, hip and elbow dysplasia, PRA

Related: Belgian Laekenois · Belgian Malinois · Belgian sheepdog

2 belgian tervuren photos, newest first

  • Hazel III, a belgian tervuren

    Hazel III

    Hazel III was promoted to wedding planner facing a runaway bouquet; unfortunately, a feather duster gets stuck in a tiny chandelier.

    FrostyOtter · 1 week ago

  • Hazel III, a belgian tervuren

    Hazel III

    Hazel III after approximately four seconds of exercise.

    MerryBadger · 2 weeks ago

Living with a belgian tervuren

Mental work matters more than physical exercise here. A Tervuren walked for two hours and given nothing to think about is still a frustrated dog. Training, scent work, herding and agility are what this breed needs.

Watch for obsessive behaviours — spinning, tail chasing, shadow and light chasing — which appear in under-stimulated dogs of this breed and are very hard to extinguish once established.

They are sensitive. Train with reward and clarity; harshness backfires badly.

Ask about epilepsy in the lines, and for hip, elbow and PRA testing.

The long coat needs several brushings a week and daily attention during the heavy moult.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. Individual dogs vary, and anything about a specific animal is a question for a vet who has seen it.

Worth reading alongside this

More dogs by breed

Every dog breed somebody has posted a photo of.