THE TERVUEREN
GENERAL OVERVIEW:
(Extracted from the book “You and your Tervueren” written by Pierre Van Der Heyden).
Do not be mistaken: Tervueren, like Groenendael, Malinois and Lakenois belong to Belgian sheepdogs. However, those who believe these dogs all belong to the same race are completely wrong.
Nevertheless, and nobody will deny it, a resemblance exists between these Belgian Shepherd dogs. It is necessary to understand that their differences surpass this similarity, purely physical. Each race of Belgian Shepherd dogs has its specific nature and way of behaving.
It is only around the second half of the 19th century that one started to talk seriously about this race of dog. Some cynologists claim its origin goes back to the 13th century. They think Tervueren are be the result of a crossbreed between Matin, which was used for wild boar hunting, and Deerhound which was brought back from Great Britain by Flemish monks.
Others affirm it owe its origins to herds of dogs of central Europe, so, who is right?
A third group of cynologists , who based their ideas on historical datas are putting forward the fact that several types of Belgian Shepherd dogs were walking on the Duckes of Burgundy territories and that they already existed under the reign of the House of Habsbourg.
Belgian were the first to show serious interest in these dogs. In 1885, the chance wanted that the Royal Saint-Hubert Company received at the same time its final name and the first shepherd dogs selections. Dogs of any hair, long and short, of any colour, black , fawned … were submitted to the approval of the “Belgian Sheepdogs club” in 1891. Amongst the best subjects were determined the characteristics of a type of dog, destined to be recognised by the cynophile society as the model of the Belgian Sheepdog. This was realised in 1892.
At the beginning, only one race was allowed, with three varieties of hair and only one colour by variety. In 1898, the black long-hair shepherd dog was named “Groenendael”, because the main stockbreeder of this dog lived in a place called like that.
Let’s return now to our Tervueren, it is interesting to discover that two dogs which did not have a black but a fawn-coloured fur, were tenderly in love. It was a male called Tom and a female called Poes which both had a characteristic: they did not have any tail. And then would you say? Quite simple, our Poes gave birth ,in the years of thanks in 1895, to a female called Miss. As soon as it was in age to reproduce,it was coupled with the Duke of Groenendael ( we are obviously talking about the male dog of this name). In 1897, our Miss gave birth to a range of black and fawn-coloured male, and after several generations, the Tervueren as we know it, splendid, appeared.
It is also necessary you to be informed that the name “Tervueren” comes from the council of Tervueren, situated in the Brabant, near Brussels, the Belgium capital.
Most Tervueren were decimated during the first world war. However after the armistice, stockbreeders re-started the breeding of these dogs. Nevertheless they run up after the amateurs who did not appreciate their decision to only accept the black colour for the dogs with long hair. Thus the amateurs continued to breed and above all to select fawn-coloured dog, and they completely stopped to couple them with Groennendaels because these couplings did not give a very attractive colour to the puppies. Their tenacity was rewarded , the fawn-coloured Tervueren was officially registered in the Belgian Book of origins in 1922, and was finally recognised in the Book of origins of the Royal Saint-Hubert Company. Which beautiful victory for these amateurs who knew better than professionals that the fawn colour was the ideal one for the morphology of the Tervueren.
Its qualities:
One of its greatest quality is its attachment to its family of adoption. It is adviced to acquire you Tervueren when it is young. This dog considers it only has one master, so it would be a shame to buy a Tervueren which already had another family, in this case it would not be able to give you its whole affection. Become the uncontested master acquiring it very young. Foolowing this advice, you will have the opportunity to see it growing and becoming attached to you and to all your family. It is quite rare to find dogs as devoted as Tervueren, moreover, endowed with an real fidelity , it will appear as an excellent guard.
What it likes the most is its master, it is a mixture of authority and softness, it likes to receive orders from an authoritarian voice mixed with softness whose intonation will be appreciated. As we already said, it is a good guard and it is often used by bar owners in order to prevent intruders from entering after closing. The imprudent who will not take into account its warning will spend an awful moment. On the other end, during opening hours, it will stay in the corner in order to observe the customers with its intelligent look and will only act if necessary. It will act on the same way in your premises as it has the innate sense of knowing what to do in any circumstances. Your friends will be welcomed , however as soon as the gate will be closed , nobody will be able to come to disturb you anymore. Be quiet, you can rely on it. Its intelligence allows it to evaluate all situation and to take the best decision, but, it will require your approval through its need of tenderness and caresses. Its need for affection is so huge that some owners of Tervueren say that it sticks like a leech. This is always said with love and sense of humour. It is a nature protector , tendency which will be reinforced by a breeding which will combine calm and authority.
Its defects :
Its greatest defect is…its need for affection. If you expect a long list of defects, you will remain on your hunger. The Tervueren is an extremely sensitive dog which always requires nice words and caresses. It especially likes to have the feeling its master prefers it, this a difficult desire to fulfil especially if there are children and a wife in the house. Nevertheless it is essential not to forget its hypersensitive nature. You will have to treat him with softness, thus you will see it is able to give even more. Never push it back as it would lose its means, and it would make of him the most unhappy dog. Always make it take part to all events which occur, happy or unhappy. Not only it will feel grateful, but it will also allow it to have a balanced life.
It is preferable to have only one Tervueren at home like pet. It is full of jealousy and it does not stand to share the affection of its master with any other animal ( dog, cat , rabbit, birds…).That doesn’t prevent you from carrying out a test, never know, miracles exist…
Do not leave it alone too often, it would get bored and would feel excluded. Give him the right to come with you anywhere.Around one year old, your Tervueren like other dogs will try to test you, it will try to impose itself, no question to let it acting like that. Be firm in order that it doesn’t take the top and become the master of the premises. These warnings can seem laughable to you, but it is serious as you deal with a very clever dog which will try to take advantage of your weaknesses. While being strict but right, always without raising the voice, you will see your dog taking back its place. That will require much vigilance from you, but it will then obey you, the effort is worth it. Sometimes you will have to correct your Tervueren, do it by using the word more than the gesture. Above all, still remember your companion is very sensitive, so do not raise the voice too often as you could traumatize it. Thus, reprimand it carefully by calling upon its intelligence. It will understand very quickly and will not make the same error twice. Do not wound its love-clean as you would draw up a barrier between it and you which would be very hard to cut down afterwards. If you are able to use softness and firmness during its breeding, your dog will be a great source of joy and satisfaction.
Please find the Standard of the race while clicking on the link selected for you.
That is not exception to the rule for my two Tervuerens, they confirm all which has been described in the features of its character. They are at the same time sensitive, nice, affectionate and good guards. The cat of the house which is a Siamese has been accepted by the two complices and they get on well even if at he beginning it was not easy. In order to penetrate the heart of my passion, I propose you to introduce you to my dogs.
