Tervoodle

He is not recognized by the F.C.I.

Origin
Belgium <> France -> U.S.A.
Translation
Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Tervoodle

The Tervoodle is a hybrid dog. Its parents are the Belgian Shepherd Tervueren and the Poodle. They are highly intelligent dogs. Always on the alert, they make excellent watchdogs. He's easy to train and constantly watches his master for signals or commands. He's also very active, so he'll be happiest with a family that involves him in its lifestyle. He will need a moderate amount of maintenance, including daily brushing. He's a large dog; at maturity, he'll weigh around 27 kilos. Typically a working dog, you may see the Tervoodle involved in police work or as a therapy dog.

History of the Tervoodle

The Tervoodle is a rare hybrid breed. To learn more about its origins, we need to study the history of its parent breeds.

 

        

A little of the Belgian Shepherd

        
The Tervueren Belgian Shepherd originated in Belgium; the breed is thought to have been developed in the late 1800's. It is one of four shepherd-type dogs developed in the region at that time: the Tervueren, the Laekenois, the Groenendael and the Malinois. The first standard for the Belgian Shepherd Tervueren was written in 1892 by Professor Reul. The Tervueren Belgian Shepherd got its name from the Belgian village where experts believe it originated. It was here that breeder M.F. Corbeel raised the breed's founding dogs, Tom and Poes. The Tervueren Belgian Shepherd went from sheepdog to guard dog, and also did a lot of police work. During the First World War, the Belgian Shepherd Tervueren became a military dog. He served carrying messages, as an ambulance wagon dog, and as a Red Cross dog. By the end of World War I, a few Tervueren Belgian Shepherds had been imported to the United States, but they died out. In 1953, several Belgian Tervueren Shepherds were imported for breeding purposes. The first Tervueren Belgian Shepherd was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1959.
Standard of the Belgian Shepherd

 

        

A little of the Poodle

Although many believe the Poodle originated in France, the breed is actually German. However, it became very popular in France and developed into the modern Poodle. It is thought that they were bred to hunt waterfowl, and that several European water dogs were crossed to create the Poodle we know today. It's also possible that the North African Barbet, now extinct, was part of the lineage. The Poodle is a very ancient breed of dog; its portrait has been found on Roman artefacts and in Egyptian tombs. The Standard Poodle was used for duck hunting. Highly intelligent and easy to train, the Poodle also became a main attraction in traveling circuses. It was at this time that their owners began clipping the Poodle's curly coat into fancy shapes, a tradition that can still be seen today at Poodle shows. Some owners even dyed their Poodles' hair to imitate the circus Poodles they had observed. Although we don't know exactly how the Poodle came to America, we do know that the first Poodle was registered with the American Kennel Club in 1886. For many years, the Poodle was rare in America, but after the Second World War, the Poodle became immensely popular.
Standard of the Poodle

Appearance of the Tervoodle

The Tervoodle is a large dog. It stands around 61 centimeters high at the shoulder and can weigh up to 27 kilos when fully grown. They have a double coat, with a dense, woolly undercoat. The outer coat is long and straight. Exact coloring depends on the breed of the dominant parent. Generally, however, the Tervoodle will be fawn, mahogany, red or gray. This basic coat color will often be accompanied by a black overlay, almost like a saddle. The Tervoodle will often have erect ears, a medium muzzle and brown eyes. It may also have a black muzzle. He may look skinny, but he's very muscular under his long topcoat. His tail is long and slightly curved at the tip. His tail may also have this black overlay effect. Tail hair is of medium length.

Temperament of the Tervoodle

The Tervoodle is a gentle dog, but can be a little aloof with strangers. He'll need to examine them for himself before befriending them. This trait makes him an excellent watchdog, however. He'll alert you to anything amiss on his territory, and his size, as well as his resemblance to some police dogs, can intimidate potential intruders. He's highly intelligent and easy to train. However, he has an independent streak, which can also hinder his training. Always use positive reinforcement, praise and treats, to reward good behavior. You'll need to be firm at all times; any relaxation of discipline will be perceived as weakness, and the Tervoodle can tend to become the Alpha of relationships if it thinks its master isn't worthy of being followed. On the whole, the Tervoodle is good with all family members. He will need early socialization to learn how to get along with other dogs. Obedience classes are also a good idea for the Tervoodle. He may not be the best dog for novice owners either. However, he enjoys being part of an active family of dog lovers.

Needs and activities of the Tervoodle

The Tervoodle is a very active dog. Again, he's destined to live indoors with his family, but he needs to spend a lot of time outdoors to expend his high energy levels. He'll enjoy walks around the neighborhood with you, as well as hiking alongside you in the great outdoors. He'll also love accompanying you on bike rides. He'll appreciate a fenced-in area to play in, but don't forget that he can climb a shorter fence. A fence at least two meters high is necessary for the Tervoodle. He can also be prone to digging if bored, so make sure the fence posts are anchored deep enough in the ground so he can't dig. He'll also enjoy outings to the dog park, but only take him off his leash if you're sure he won't run off and refuse to come back. Provide him with toys that stimulate both physical and mental activity.

Maintenance of the Tervoodle

The Tervoodle will need a moderate amount of maintenance. In fact, you'll need to make sure his woolly undercoat is properly brushed several times a week to prevent tangling. Give him a bath when necessary. Choose an all-natural shampoo that won't irritate his skin. Brush his teeth every two or three days if you want to avoid bad breath and tartar build-up. On the other hand, to prevent cavities, brush his teeth every day. Trim his nails every two weeks, unless he wears them down naturally. Although the Tervoodle is a large dog, it's meant to live indoors. In addition, as the parent breed Tervueren Belgian Shepherd is known to be sensitive to touch, it's a good idea to start a grooming regime when he's small, so that he gets used to the routine.

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