|
|
|
If you choose to buy a Belgian Tervuren, we hope that you consider joining the ABTC.
 As a member you will receive the benefits of the club's activities. In addition to sponsoring national and regional shows, the club offers an opportunity for you to become involved and to get acquainted with other Tervuren owners. If you wish to become active in club work, there are ample opportunities to do so through our committees, which do everything from publicity work to development of our breed history archive. The club's official magazine is a fine publication called Tervuren News Tales (TNT). The TNT offers regional news, educational articles, advertisements and photographs of dogs from all over the country. It is a great way to keep up with the breed. Subscription is included with membership, but also is available to non-members. For additional information on joining the ABTC, please complete the downloable membership application or contact our Public Relations and Membership Secretary. The membership documents are available in the helpful document section located just left of this article. There are many helpful documents available to club members in addition to the membership applications forms.
 The American Belgian Tervuren Club sponsors many activities to bring our fanciers together and for breed improvement. Tervuren News Tales is our club's magazine. Each issue contains a wealth of information for the novice owner and has excellent material for the experienced as well. Other books and informational material are available through the ABTC General Store. The club is very active in encouraging breeders to x-ray all breeding stock and obtain an OFA certificate to reduce the incidence of hip dysplasia, and to annually have their dogs' eyes examined and obtain a CERF certificate indicating freedom from genetic eye diseases. If making an inquiry, ask the breeder if the parents of the litter have OFA and recent CERF certificates.
Each year our National Specialty dog show is held between April and June in rotating sections of the country. The club also supports regional shows throughout the year - the local club representative may be able to tell you of upcoming specialty shows or other dog shows with expected entries in your area. The ABTC does what it can do to discourage the Belgian Tervuren from being sold by wholesalers or pet shops. We know the road many lovely breeds have traveled after being exploited by such establishments. |
|
