Imagine having your very own character from a fairytale at home, a companion that’s as beautiful as a prince or princess, with a coat of hair that shines like sunbeams. A loyal friend by your side, full of energy and intelligence, enchanted with a life-long love for its family. Now, let’s step out of fairytales, and meet the charming Belgian Tervuren – a dog breed that translates those enchanting stories into reality with their captivating appearances, exceptional skills and undying fidelity.
One of the Belgian Shepherd’s prized variations, the Belgian Tervuren, shines with a spectacular double coat, dark piercing eyes and an expression of elegance and alertness. Originating from a small Belgian village named Tervuren, this dog breed initially served as herding dogs, watchdogs and companions to the local villagers. Brimming with strength and agility, Tervurens are often compared to their Belgian cousins – the Malinois, Laekenois, and the Groenendael, but they carry distinct characteristics that lend them a unique charm and identity.
A good family dog? Well, that could be an understatement. Far more than just a pet, the Belgian Tervuren becomes an integral part of your family, a loyal companion for leisure, a protective guardian for your kids, a sheer beam of liveliness, and the warmest furbaby that heartens your home. But of course, their suitability to family life depends on a whole range of factors like your living situation, time commitment, family dynamics and more. This guide aims to give insights into the world of Belgian Tervurens, ultimately helping you decide whether they fit into yours.
One of the very first traits that strike me about this breed, is their intelligence. Tervurens are ranked as the 31st smartest dogs among the long list of dog breeds, according to Stanley Coren’s “Intelligence of Dogs”. This makes them swift learners, extremely responsive to training, and capable of executing complex tasks. Plus, with the right direction, they flourish in interactive games, obedience trials, tracking events, and even herding lessons.
The sharp intellect of Belgian Tervurens is also accompanied by abundance of energy. These dogs are active and agile, and they need significant physical and mental stimulation to keep them content. Regular walks, garden plays, and fun training sessions make for happy Tervurens. This need for constant activity often lends them as excellent playmates for kids, adding joy and vigilance to family life.
At this point, you might be contemplating – is their high energy level problematic? Not if handled aptly. Providing them with their daily dose of exercise and enrichment activities tend to keep their energy levels well balanced. On the upside, rearing a Tervuren could also inspire an active lifestyle for you and your kids – more involvement in outdoor games, family hikes and overall improved fitness.
Moving on to their social demeanor, Belgian Tervurens have an innate sense of loyalty and love towards their family, but they can be a tad reserved with strangers. Early socialization, hence, becomes crucial in making them comfortable around visitors and other pets. On a similar note, their protective instinct is quite high, making them excellent watchdogs, fierce defenders of their homes and the loved ones residing within.
Speaking about their care requirements, Tervurens have a lush double coat that requires regular brushing to keep it mat-free and glossy. For families with allergy concerns, though, this breed might not be the ideal choice since they are moderate shedders for most of the year, with a heavy shedding spell once a year.
For those of you with easygoing pets at home, this breed can peacefully coexist with other pets of similar energy levels. They might show signs of their primary herding instinct by trying to round up other pets and children too. This can be charmingly funny to watch, but it’s essential to train them to know when it’s appropriate.
Tervurens are a breed of robust health, but like all dogs, they are also prone to specific genetic conditions. Regular vet checkups and a balanced diet are recommended to maintain their health. It’s also important to purchase Tervurens from reputable breeders that check for genetic conditions such as elbow and hip dysplasia, eye issues and epilepsy.
Finally, it’s worth noting that Tervurens are a responsive breed. They tend to be intuitive towards their family’s emotional state and have an earnest desire to please their human companions. This emotional intelligence combined with their sociability makes them excellent therapy dogs.
In short, Belgian Tervurens can make splendid family dogs. They occupy a wonderful balance between charm, warmth, strength, and intelligence. They are not the easiest to handle because of their high energy and intelligence. But for families ready to invest time and efforts in nurturing them, the rewards could be manifold – enduring companionship, playfulness, and protection. Remember, your love for them should not be lesser than their own, for the Belgian Tervuren is known to love its humans to the moon and back, and even further!
The decision, my dear readers, therefore, lies with you. Aren’t you already enchanted by this fairy tale creature, full of life and love?
