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GENERAL APPEARANCE:
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Not enough can be said about the importance
of the overall impression that a good Belgian Tervuren makes when viewed as a whole. The
first thing a judge should consider is whether the dog has the look which is unmistakably
Tervuren. No dog is a good Tervuren if it reminds you of a different breed, no matter how
nice it may look or move. |
| Plate #11 |
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Let's Compare 3 breeds
Plate #16 below
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The Tervuren catches the eye as it stands naturally with
its proud carriage of head and neck over a balanced, square body. The slightly long,
arched neck gives the head a most elegant carriage. The legs should be as long as the
depth of the body, with bone and angulations medium and balanced. It's warm blackened fawn
coat, black muzzle, alert high set ears and intelligent expression are sure to
captivate the viewer.
They are bred for ease of movement, quick footwork, strength, intelligence
and sensibility as well as beauty. A Tervuren can take charge of a flock because of its
agility, intelligence and authoritative manner.
The AKC breed standard has a height range with both upper and lower
disqualifying limits, so that the breed is kept at a medium size. The bone is medium; a
heavy boned dog is as undesirable as one with spindly fine bone.
This breed boasts a natural beauty and should be presented naturally. Of
course, it should be presented in the show ring with a healthy and well groomed coat, but
should not be back-combed or trimmed. The appearance of a coat that has been obviously
clipped or sculptured should never be preferred. Trimming of the hair around the feet,
pasterns and hocks to give a neater appearance is acceptable, and trimming of whiskers is
optional. The dog should be in fit condition and have good muscle tone. This is a breed
that we want to see handled naturally with no excessive posing. While it is sometimes
necessary to "set a dog up" so that a judge can have a chance to evaluate it,
unnatural positioning or over-handling is most undesirable. |
Adult males are distinctly masculine and
females are likewise feminine. A judge should be able to distinguish between a male and a
female with ease. Our standard says that a female is to be judged equally with the male. A
judge should consider each dog based on the qualities expected for its sex, and reward the
best. |
Plate #18
female
Plate 17 male
PERSONALITY AND TEMPERAMENT:
The Tervuren is a sheep herding dog and
also a versatile worker.It is a breed devoted to its
family and to its work. The natural protective instincts it has make it a breed which
which does not immediately make friends with strangers. While a certain aloofness with
strangers is considered normal and expected in the breed, it should be confident and
trustworthy in the ring, always displaying good manners. The highest
value is to be placed on the qualities that maintain their herding and
versatile working abilities.
Puppies are often more overtly friendly than adults. However puppies often
go through what is considered a normal developmental stage where they may display
uncertainty. A judge should expect an adult Tervuren to stand confidently without shyness
or overt suspicion, but not expect them to greet every stranger with uncontrolled happy
silliness. By aloofness with strangers we only mean to say that they should simply be
interested in working with or playing with their handler and not with the judge who is a
total stranger. By nature the Tervuren is a very active and responsive dog, in tune with
its owner and quick to be playful with him or her.
A judge should never reward a dog that must be physically controlled and
held up for exam. Some judges prefer that a dog's muzzle be held during an exam, however,
when a dog is so controlled, take note of how it is reacting to your exam. Do not be
mislead, just because the dog being held is under control, that it is sound in character.
A handler may be very skillful at controlling a frightened or aggressive dog. As a judge
you should be alert for such signs, and never excuse such behavior when it is
observed. |
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This breed is a very trainable, useful member of society and we hope
that we can keep it so. Plate #19 left |
Examining the Tervuren:
There is much that you can do to help put a dog at ease
when judging. Keep in mind that Tervuren enjoy interacting with their handlers, and you
may be considered a bit of an intrusion to his good time! When approaching or examining
the Tervuren it is best to do so in a confident, straightforward and gentle manner. If you
stare at the dog, particularly from close up or on approach for the exam, the dog may find
this to be rather unsettling. Judges that approach dogs in this manner are more likely to
experience problems than those that just get on with it in a matter-of-fact manner.
Begin the exam from the front so that the dog sees you coming. Stopping your forward
motion, staring at the dog, or offering a hand is not usually a good approach as it only invites
the dog to question you. In fact, a smile and a quiet word to the owner will
go a long way in making the exam a pleasant experience, both for the dog and
the handler! A good approach is to look politely just slightly to the side of
the dog's head and start the exam gently and without reservation. Never get on your
knees with your face level with the dog, this is a dangerous position to put yourself in
with any strange dog of any breed. When examining the dog's head, try to avoid staring
directly into his eyes for more than a gaze. If you want to
take a long hard look at the dog, reserve it for after the physical examination and stand
back just a bit so the dog can have a comfortable space with its handler.
When examining the teeth, consider that the great majority of Tervuren are owner-handled
and are not conditioned to having their mouths pried open. For this reason
the American Belgian Tervuren Club Judges Education committee requests that
you check the teeth by gently lifting the side of the lips. The Tervuren has a well-split
mouth that is neither wide nor having pendulous lips, so you should be able to check the
teeth without opening the mouth. |
 NEXT: Head and Teeth
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