Belgian Tervuren

Although the Belgian Tervuren has a thick double coat, you can likely groom your dog at home.

• Brushing: Expect to brush your Terv’s coat weekly to remove debris, smooth out tangles, and distribute natural oils. Twice a year when your dog sheds, brush the coat a few times a week to reduce shedding.
• Bathing: Occasionally, you’ll also need to give your dog a bath. Every three to four months for a double-coated breed like this is sufficient—but more frequently if they get dirty often or have itchy or dry skin, etc.
• Dental care: Brush your dog’s teeth every day with a dog-safe toothpaste and toothbrush. This is the best way to prevent dental disease.
• Nail care: Trim your dog’s nails every few weeks. If you hear them clicking on the ground as your Terv walks, it’s time for a pawdicure.

The American Belgian Tervuren Club notes that the Belgian Tervuren is eager to learn and will soak up your attention. So don’t shy away from training: This won’t be satisfied by the mere basics. Instead, incorporate daily training activities, and challenge a Terv by teaching new skills or activities.

Make training fun for a Tervuren by approaching it as a game, Basedow says, adding that it’s important to set clear expectations for a Tervuren and use positive-reinforcement training. The breed’s intuitive nature means they are quick to pick up on what you’re feeling, so it’s important to keep training fun.

“They are incredibly in tune with their [pet parent’s] feelings and mood,” says Rebecca Grinsell, an exhibitor and breeder at Kanna Belgian Tervuren. “We like to say they can hear what we’re thinking.”

Although the breed learns quickly, they’re not necessarily a good fit for first-time pet parents because of their high energy and quick intelligence. A new dog parent may not be prepared to provide the mental stimulation and attention these dogs need to thrive.

In addition, a Terv’s wary nature around strangers means you’ll need to socialize these dogs early and often.

A Belgian Tervuren should be fed a high-quality dog food formula that meets standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).

Choose a diet that matches your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, senior) and make sure you follow the feeding guidelines on the packaging. You can also ask your veterinarian for guidance on how much to feed your dog.

A large breed diet or an option for working, more active dogs might be a good selection to ensure they get the nutrients they need.

Because Tervurens can be prone to bloat, which can progress into life-threatening gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), pet parents need to take precautions around mealtimes. This includes:

• Feeding your dog two or more meals every day instead of one big meal
• Using a slow feeder dog bowl to stop them from eating too quickly
• Avoiding elevated food bowls
• Restricting exercise for two hours before and after your dog eats

These herding dogs have an active mind and plenty of stamina, so they’ll need an outlet for this energy every day.

“Adolescents and young adults need the most exercise,” Basedow says, “but Tervs of all ages need daily mental and physical exercise.” Plan on at least one 30-minute walk, and pair it with training or scent work to challenge the mind.

“Working their brains through training or sniffing games will wear them out more quickly than any physical activity—even just five minutes of trick training a day can be a huge help to keep your household sane,” says Basedow.

A Terv is a natural for a wide range of dog sports. The breed has a big, effortless gait and a quick mind, so they do great with herding, agility, obedience, lure coursing, rally, and other popular dog sports.

“Typically, they are up for any sport the owner may wish to compete in as long as they get to be with their person,” says Grinsell. Because of this bond, Tervurens are especially likely to enjoy hiking, running, or even skijoring or canicross. 

A Tervuren’s ideal home provides plenty of opportunity for physical activity and quality time with human family members instead of long hours left alone. These large-breed dogs don’t need a house with a yard, but it helps to have readily available outdoor space for these dogs to run or play fetch.

They generally do great in a home with children and can coexist with other pets, but Grinsell says it’s important to remember they are herding dogs by nature.

“Tervuren are very loyal, and adapt well to children and other pets as long as respectable boundaries and supervision is in place,” she says. From an early age, train a Terv not to chase smaller pets, and make sure children know how to properly interact with a dog.