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Sunday, December 30, 2018
Belgian Tervuren The Dog Breed
The Tervuren(sometimes spelled Tervueren), is a member of the Belgian Shepherd Dog family of dog breeds, named after a village in Belgium. Its classification varies, being classified under some breed standards
as a breed in its own right, and in others as one of several acceptable
variations of the
Belgian in the herding group. It is usually listed within breed standards
under one or other, or a combination, of these names. In the United States, since 1960, the AKC recognizes it under the name Belgian Tervuren. Prior to that date, all recognized varieties of the Belgians were called Belgian Sheepdog. In Canada, the Canadian Kennel Club recognizes the Tervuren as a variety of the Belgian Shepherd Dog (prior to 2005, Belgian Shepherd Dogs were called Belgian Sheepdogs).
General Appearance The first impression of the Belgian Tervuren is that of a
well-balanced, medium-size dog, elegant in appearance, standing squarely
on all fours, with proud carriage of head and neck. He is strong,
agile, well-muscled, alert and full of life. He gives the impression of
depth and solidity without bulkiness. The male should appear
unquestionably masculine; the female should have a distinctly feminine
look and be judged equally with the male. The Belgian Tervuren is a natural dog
and there is no need for excessive posing in the show ring. The Belgian
Tervuren reflects the qualities of intelligence, courage, alertness
and devotion to master. In addition to his inherent ability as a
herding dog, he protects his master's person and property without being
overtly aggressive. He is watchful, attentive, and usually in motion
when not under command. The Belgian Tervuren is a herding dog and
versatile worker. The highest value is to be placed on qualities that
maintain these abilities, specifically, correct temperament, gait, bite
and coat. Size, Proportion, Substance
The ideal male is 24 to 26 inches in height and female 22 to 24 inches
in height measured at the withers. Dogs are to be penalized in
accordance to the degree they deviate from the ideal. Males under 23
inches or over 26½ inches or females under 21 inches or over 24½ inches
are to be disqualified. The body is square; the length measured from
the point of shoulder to the point of the rump approximates the height.
Females may be somewhat longer in body. Bone structure is medium in
proportion to height, so that he is well-balanced throughout and neither spindly or leggy nor cumbersome and bulky. Head - Well-chiseled, skin taut, long without exaggeration. Expression intelligent and questioning, indicating alertness, attention and readiness for action. Eyes dark brown, medium-size, slightly almond shape, not protruding. Light, yellow or round eyes are a fault. Ears triangular in shape, well-cupped, stiff,
erect; height equal to width at base. Set high, the base of the ear
does not come below the center of the eye. Hanging ears, as on a hound,
are a disqualification. Skull and muzzle measuring
from the stop are of equal length. Overall size is in proportion to
the body, top of skull flattened rather than rounded, the width
approximately the same as, but not wider than the length. Stop moderate.
The topline of the muzzle is parallel to the topline of the skull when
viewed from the side. Muzzle moderately pointed, avoiding any tendency
toward snipiness or cheekiness. Jaws strong and powerful. Nose black without spots or discolored areas. Nostrils well defined. Lips tight and black, no pink showing on the outside when mouth is closed. Teeth Full
complement of strong white teeth, evenly set, meeting in a scissors or
a level bite. Overshot and undershot teeth are a fault. An undershot
bite such that there is a complete loss of contact by all the incisors
is a disqualification. Broken or discolored teeth should not be penalized. Missing teeth are a fault. Four or more missing teeth are a serious fault. Neck, Topline, Body Neck round, muscular, rather long and
elegant, slightly arched and tapered from head to body. Skin well-fitting with no loose folds. Withers accentuated. Topline level, straight and firm from withers to croup. Croup medium long, sloping gradually to the base of the tail. Chest not
broad without being narrow, but deep; the lowest point of the brisket
reaching the elbow, forming a smooth ascendant curve to the abdomen. Abdomen moderately developed, neither tucked up nor paunchy. Ribs well-sprung but flat on the sides. Loin section viewed from above is relatively short, broad and strong, but blending smoothly into the back. Tail strong
at the base, the last vertebra to reach at least to the hock. At rest
the dog holds it low, the tip bent back level with the hock. When in
action, he may raise it to a point level with the topline giving it a
slight curve, but not a hook. Tail is not carried above the backline nor
turned to one side. A cropped or stump tail is a disqualification. Forequarters Shoulders long, laid back 45 degrees, flat
against the body, forming a right angle with the upper arm. Top of the
shoulder blades roughly two thumbs width apart. Upper arms should move in a direction exactly parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body. Forearms long and well-muscled. Legs straight and parallel, perpendicular to the ground. Bone oval rather than round. Pasterns short and strong, slightly sloped. Dewclaws may be removed. Feet rounded, cat footed, turning neither in nor out, toes curved close together, well-padded,strong nails. Hindquarters Legs powerful without heaviness, moving in the same pattern as the limbs of the forequarters. Bone oval rather than round. Thighs broad and heavily muscled. Stifles clearly defined, with upper shank at right angles to hip bones. Hocks moderately bent. Metatarsi short, perpendicular to the ground, parallel to each other when viewed from the rear. Dewclaws are removed. Feet slightly elongated, toes curved close together, heavily padded, strong nails. Coat
The Belgian Tervuren is particularly adaptable to extremes of
temperature or climate. The guard hairs of the coat must be long,
close-fitting, straight and abundant. The texture is of medium
harshness, not silky or wiry. Wavy or curly hair is a fault. The
undercoat is very dense, commensurate, however, with climatic
conditions. The hair is short on the head, outside the ears, and on the
front part of the legs. The opening of the ear is protected by tufts
of hair. Ornamentation consists of especially
long and abundant hair, like a collarette around the neck, particularly
on males; fringe of long hair down the back of the forearm; especially
long and abundant hair trimming the breeches; long, heavy and abundant
hair on the tail. The female rarely has as long or as ornamented a
coat as the male. This disparity must not be a consideration when the
female is judged against the male. Color
Body rich fawn to russet mahogany with black overlay is ideal
and preferred. Predominate color that is pale, washed out, cream or
gray is a fault. The coat is characteristically double pigmented
whereby the tips of fawn hairs are blackened. Belgian Tervuren
characteristically become darker with age. On mature males, this
blackening is especially pronounced on the shoulders, back and rib
section. Blackening in patches is a fault. Although allowance should be
made for females and young males, absence of blackening in mature dogs
is a serious fault. Chest is normally black, but may be a
mixture of black and gray. White is permitted on the chest/sternum
only, not to extend more than 3 inches above the prosternum, and not to
reach either point of shoulder. Face has a black mask and the
ears are mostly black. A face with a complete absence of black is a
serious fault. Frost or white on chin or muzzle is normal. The
underparts of the body, tail, and breeches are cream, gray, or light beige. The tail typically has a darker or black tip. Feet -
The tips of the toes may be white. Nail color may vary from black to
transparent. Solid black, solid liver or any area of white except as
specified on the chest, tips of the toes, chin and muzzle are
disqualifications. Gait
Lively and graceful, covering the maximum ground with minimum effort.
Always in motion,
seemingly never tiring, he shows ease of movement
rather than hard driving action. He single tracks at a fast gait, the
legs both front and rear converging toward the centerline of gravity of
the dog. Viewed from the side he exhibits full extension of both fore
and hindquarters. The backline should remain firm and level, parallel
to the line of motion. His natural tendency is to move in a circle,
rather than a straight line. Padding, hackneying, weaving, crabbing and
similar movement faults are to be penalized according to the degree
with which they interfere with the ability of the dog to work. Temperament
In his relationship with humans he is observant and vigilant with
strangers, but not apprehensive. He does not show fear or shyness. He
does not show viciousness by unwarranted or unprovoked attack. He must
be approachable, standing his ground and showing confidence to meet
overtures without himself making them. With those he knows well, he is
most affectionate and friendly, zealous for their attention and very
possessive.
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