How to Identify a Belgian Tevuran

The Belgian tervuren is a lively and graceful breed. It can cover maximum ground with minimum effort and seems to be always in motion. This breed is observant and vigilant with strangers, but is not apprehensive. It should not show fear, nor should it show shyness. This breed tends not to attack unprovoked, but is confident and will stand its ground. He is very affectionate to those he knows and loves attention from his human family, but can be very possessive, making a great herding dog.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Look at the general appearance of the Belgian tervuren. The breed is medium-sized and is elegant in its appearance. It carries its head proudly and is well-muscled. Its looks show intelligence, courage and devotion to his master.

2. Make sure the size and proportion are correct for this breed. The male is 24 to 26 inches at the withers and the female is 22 to 24 inches. The body is a square-shaped length measured from the point of the shoulder to the point of the rear and should measure the same as the height of the dog. Females may be slightly longer than high.

3. Check to be sure the well-chiseled head has taut skin, and that the head is long but not exaggerated. The breed should express intelligence and questioning in its looks, and show alertness and that it is ready for action. The eyes are dark brown and slightly almond-shaped. They should not protrude. The triangular ears should be well-cupped, stiff and erect. The height of the ears should be equal to the width at the base. The skull and muzzle, as measured from the stop, are equal length. The top of the skull is flattened and width and length is the same. The nose is black and should not have any spots.

4. Look at the round muscular neck. It should be rather long and elegant and have a slight arch to it. The well-fitting skin should not have loose folds. The deep chest is not broad, but not narrow, with the lowest point of the brisket just reaching the elbow. It should rom a smooth curve to the abdomen. The tail should be strong at the base, and the last vertebrae should reach at least to the hock. The tip of the tail is bent level with the hock. The tail should not be carried above the backline and should not be turned to one side. This breed should never have a cropped tail.

5. Check the fore- and hindquarters. The long shoulders should be laid back about 45 degrees and lay flat against the body. The top of the blades are quite close together and the long forearms are well-muscled. The cat-footed feet are rounded and should not turn in or out. The toes are curved close together, leading to strong nails. The powerful rear legs should not be heavy, and should be of oval bone. The broad thighs are well-muscled. The rear feet are slightly elongated and the toes are curved close together with strong nails.

6. Pet the long close-fitting coat. The texture of the guard hairs should be of medium harshness-not sliky or wiry. The dense undercoat is what helps to protect this breed from the elements. The hair should be short on the head, front part of the legs and outside the ears. The ear opening has tufts of hair, which protect it from the elements. The hair around the neck is long, especially on males. The forearms have a fringe of hair, as do the breeches and tail, though the hair on the breeches and tail is typically longer than the hair on the forearms.

7. Notice the rich colors of this breed. The colors can range from a rich fawn to a russet mahogany with a black overlay. The coat is double-pigmented—the tips of fawn hairs are black. As the Belgian tervuren ages, the black hairs may become more pronounced in males, especially on the back, shoulders and rib section. The chest is usually black, but may be a black-and-gray mix. The chest may also be white, but the white should not extend more than three inches above the prosternum. It should not reach the points of the shoulders. The face is decorated with a black mask and the ears should be mostly black.