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Tervard |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Belgium <> Germany -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the Tervard |
| The Tervard is a hybrid dog. Its parent breeds are the Belgian Shepherd Tervueren and the German Shepherd. Generally used for work, Tervards are alert and vigilant. They are highly intelligent and easy to train. It's a large dog, often resembling a German Shepherd with longer hair. He can sometimes be a little stubborn, so consistency is essential when working with the Tervard. He's great with children and other family members. However, he will need to be socialized to accept other dogs and pets. He's happiest in a home with a fenced yard, even if he'll have to live mainly indoors. |
History of the Tervard |
| There isn't much information available about the origins of the Tervard. To understand the origins of the Tervard, it's important to study the history of its parent breeds. The Tervard is recognized by the Designer Breed Registry. |
A little of the Belgian Shepherd |
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| The Belgian Shepherd Tervueren originated in Belgium, hence its name. It was one of four Belgian Shepherd-type dogs in the region: the Tervueren, the Laekenois, the Groenendael and the Malinois. In 1892, Professor Adolphe Reul drew up the standard for the four Belgian Shepherd Dogs, based on his studies of the various herding dogs in the region. It wasn't until 1901 that the four distinct shepherd breeds were recognized as definitive breeds. It was at this point that the four distinct breeds were given separate names. The Belgian Shepherd takes his name from the village where he is thought to have originated. It was here that Mr. M.F. Corbeel developed Tom and Poes, the two parents considered the founding dogs of the breed. Like the German Shepherd, the Belgian Shepherd has traditionally been used in police work. It was also used as a military dog during the First World War. Shortly after the First World War, a few Belgian Shepherds arrived in America, probably with returning soldiers, but these few Belgian Shepherd Tervueren died out before the breed became widely popular. In 1953, more Belgian Shepherds were imported for breeding purposes, and this time more people saw the breed's value. In 1959, the American Kennel Club recognized the breed. | ||
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| Standard of the Belgian Shepherd |
A little of the German Shepherd |
| In 1899, Captain Max von Stephanitz began developing a distinct breed using the various sheepdogs native to Germany. The captain studied a number of dogs at dog shows and became familiar with various breeding techniques. When Stephanitz came across a wolf-like dog, he knew it was the perfect dog for his purposes. He crossed this dog with Germany's various sheepdogs in the hope of creating a new type of sheepdog. Although sheep breeding was no longer fashionable in Germany, Stephanitz found a way to promote his new breed. He introduced his dog to the military and the police. The German government saw the dog's potential and put him to work with the military. During the Second World War, many Allied soldiers observed the dog's positive work ethic and purchased puppies to take back to America. Even today, the German Shepherd participates in police work. They are also used as service dogs. Many Americans own a German Shepherd simply for its companionship and ability as a watchdog. |
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| Standard of the German Shepherd |
Appearance of the Tervard |
| The Tervard generally resembles a German Shepherd with longer hair. It has straight ears, a long muzzle and its face can often appear to have a black coating. It is often rust or mahogany in color, with what might be described as a black saddle on its back. His coat, however, will be longer than the typical coat of the German Shepherd's parent breed. They may also have a ruff, a trait inherited from the parent breed of the Belgian Shepherd. In males, this is more pronounced than in females. The tail is long and may be slightly curved at the tip. The fur on the tail can be described as downy. He may look skinny, but he has an athletic body underneath that fur. He generally has a pleasant look on his face, which could almost be described as a smile. |
Temperament of the Tervard |
| The Tervard can be a very serious and studious dog. He observes people, and keeps a close eye on his territory. He likes to have work to do, and likes to help his masters. He's very intelligent and easy to train. However, he can have a stubborn streak. To manage this part of his personality, you'll need to remain consistent at all times. The Tervard could easily become the alpha, so he needs to know that his human is in control at all times. It's also advisable for the Tervard to take obedience classes. He's good with children, but will need early socialization to get used to other dogs. He can accept other pets if exposed to them at an early age. Although sometimes a little aloof, especially with strangers, he is a loyal companion. He is protective of his family, and intruders rarely test his ability to defend his family or property. |
Needs and activities of the Tervard |
| The Tervard is a fairly active dog. He'll enjoy short walks around the neighborhood with you, as well as hiking the trails with you. He'll enjoy trips to the dog park; however, make sure he's fully trained before taking him out to play in an off-leash area. After all, he's a herding dog and might try to herd the other dogs. He'll also enjoy accompanying you on various outdoor adventures. If you want to invest in a fenced-in area for the Tervard to play in, you also need to remember that he's not meant to live outdoors. He will need to be supervised when spending time outdoors. He can climb a fence less than 1.80 meters high. He will enjoy games such as tug-of-war, and will appreciate toys that provide mental stimulation as well as physical activity. |
Maintenance of the Tervard |
| The Tervard will need a moderate amount of maintenance to keep it clean and healthy. Unfortunately, he sheds moderately throughout the year. However, if you brush him weekly, you'll avoid a lot of dead hair on your clothes and furniture. Note: the German Shepherd's parent breed can be sensitive to touch. This means you should start a grooming regime with your Tervard when he's a puppy. This way, as he grows, he'll get used to the routine. Only bathe him when necessary. If you decide to bathe him, use an all-natural shampoo that won't irritate his skin. Brush his teeth three times a week to prevent bad breath and tartar build-up. To prevent tooth decay, brush every day. Trim his nails every two weeks. As a general rule, if you hear nails clicking on the tiles, it's time to trim them. |
English (United Kingdom)