Longevity
Life expectancy
Its life expectancy is usually between 10 and 12 years. Regular activity, an appropriate diet, maintaining a healthy weight and early screening for hereditary conditions help preserve its quality of life.
Constitution
Is this a robust breed?
Solid and enduring, the Tervueren has good overall resistance and can work in cool or damp weather. Its robustness does not exempt it from monitoring the hips, the thyroid and any unusual neurological sign.
Things to watch for
What to look out for
Prevention is based on choosing a breeder who screens breeding dogs, regular veterinary check-ups and attention paid to mobility, behaviour, digestion as well as the condition of the ears and eyes.
Hip dysplasia: This developmental abnormality of the joint can cause pain, lameness and osteoarthritis; screening breeding dogs reduces the risk.
Epilepsy: Seizures may occur in certain lines and require a veterinary work-up as well as appropriate medical follow-up.
Hypothyroidism: Insufficient thyroid function can cause fatigue, weight gain and coat changes; a hormone test allows diagnosis.
Gastric dilatation-volvulus: This serious digestive risk justifies splitting meals, avoiding exercise around feeding time and seeking emergency care if the abdomen is swollen or there are unproductive retching efforts.
Climate
Tolerance to cold and heat
Thanks to its long, dense coat with a woolly undercoat, the Tervueren tolerates cold and bad weather well. It tolerates heat moderately: in hot periods, activities must be scheduled during cool hours, with shade, water and frequent breaks.
Weight
Prone to weight gain
Very active, the Tervueren generally maintains an athletic build when it gets enough exercise. However, its ration must be adjusted to its age, its weight, its physiological status and its activity level, then its body condition must be monitored regularly to avoid both overweight and weight loss.
Everyday care
Good habits to keep your pet healthy
- Have the breeding dogs’ hips checked before purchase.
- Consult promptly in case of a seizure or neurological change.
- Monitor unusual fatigue, weight gain and coat deterioration.
- Inspect and clean the ears and the area around the eyes regularly.
- Increase brushing during the two annual shedding periods.
- Avoid intense activities during the hottest hours.
Vaccination
Belgian Tervuren vaccinations: schedule
Which vaccines does a Belgian Tervuren need? Like all dogs, Belgian Tervurens should receive their core vaccines from 8 weeks of age: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. Puppies receive their initial Belgian Tervuren vaccinations in several shots spaced 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on their lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may add vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary vaccination | First booster | Then | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All animals |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All animals |
RabiesDepending on lifestyle Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughDepending on lifestyle Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne babesiosis | 5 months · 6 months | 1 year | every year | Hunting dogs, dogs living in rural or wooded areas, dogs highly exposed to ticks |
Lyme diseaseDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisDepending on lifestyle Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies | 6 months | 1 year and 6 months | every year | Dogs living or staying in the South of France, Corsica and the Mediterranean basin |
Adult Belgian Tervuren booster shots are given annually for leptospirosis and rabies. For distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often enough after the first booster. Your veterinarian will tailor the schedule to your dog's actual risk.
Which boosters does your Belgian Tervuren need?
Enter your companion's age to see which vaccines are due now and when the next boosters are needed.
Choosing well
Adopting a healthy Belgian Tervuren
Before any acquisition, it is prudent to ask for the screening results of the breeding dogs for hip dysplasia and to inquire about the family history of epilepsy and thyroid disorders. An annual veterinary examination, supplemented according to clinical signs by an orthopedic, neurological or thyroid assessment, is recommended.
This information is for guidance only and doesn't replace advice from a veterinarian. If you have any concerns about your pet's health, consult a professional.
