I'm wondering if any one here has a Belgian Tervuren? My partner and I have decided that this is a breed that would be suitable for us. (Living with three female Jack and Parson Russells, I think we can handle ANYTHING)

We originally made the descion because of a combination. We sort of did it with making lists of things we want in a dog. I first of all want a herding dog...growing up with three male shelties will do that. She wants a german shepard.  But I also want a long haired dog. She wants a shorter coated dog (and a female). At one point I didn't think we would ever agree. But then looking through our LARGE stack of dog books. I came to the conclusion of the Belgian Tervuren and pointed it out. It seems perfect. Elegance and brains wrapped in one.

It just dawned on me you may want to know what the dog choice is for. My partner and I hope to show in confirmation...we would be doing it now but our dogs although they truly are beauty's are not AKC. (we're working on ILP) We also hope to breed and raise a few litters. I want to compete in things like Rally, obedience, Agility, someday Schutzend, possibly herding trials, and possibly once my Parson is ILP go to ground.

I'm here to see what kind of information I can find out about living with this specific breed. There is only so much one can get from books. The best answer I can give myself is to find some one with some and interact but I don't know anyone here (where I live) with Belgians. So I am taking my search to the internet and to see what I can learn from other owners!

Thanks,

Eleanor Rigby

They are pretty, fairly easy to show as an owner handler (meaning if you want to show the dog yourself rather than hire a handler), easy to groom, good house dogs, easy to train, intelligent, and very handler focused. 

That said, they are not outgoing people dogs.  They are handler focused, but not too keen on socializing outside of their family.  If you want a "dog park" dog or a "therapy dog" you may want to use caution in determining if this breed is suitable for you.  The downside is that the breed has moved from having an acceptable "aloofness with strangers" into being downright fearful.  And in this breed the fearfullness often comes out in aggression. 

Try to locate responsible breeders near you and go to see their dogs.  Meet several!  Look for kennels with dogs titled in the areas you hope to compete in.  Take a neutral third party along to help determine if the breeder is responsible and if the breeders dogs are sound in mind and body. 

Good luck!  As I said, I Love this breed.  But I'd be hard pressed to find a Terv who would fit into my lifestyle...which is why I ended selecting a different breed. 

That is if we get the breed. I would love to. It looks like an incredible breed.

She's talking about getting Doxies again. She grew up with them...so I am going to go make a post to find out more about them. But I would like to keep this thread going because it is a breed I am interested in and would like to know more about.