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Sometimes a Terv is adopted from a shelter or acquired without the new owner getting much information about their new pet -- even its breed.
Purebred dogs lacking official AKC papers can obtain official recognition and be allowed to exhibit in AKC performance events through a process known as "ILP."
Belgian Tervuren are an uncommon breed, and our Code of Ethics calls for the breeder to maintain responsibility if an owner cannot keep their Terv or no longer wants it for any reason. Belgian Tervuren Rescue will act if we discover an unwanted Terv that its breeder has not taken back. Accordingly, few Tervs are available to be adopted from animal shelters.
You may contact us and ask for an ABTC member to inspect your dog and advise you whether it is a Belgian Tervuren. Most of the dogs we are asked to inspect are mixed breeds. Only rarely do we discover a purebred Terv. Before contacting us, you may refer to our Breed Type section of this website for numerous pictures of typical Tervs.
Some of the key identifying features of a Belgian Tervuren include:
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Adult size 24-27"/ 55-70 lbs for males, 22-25" / 40-55 lbs for females.
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Square shaped body, not rectangular like a German Shepherd.
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Vari-colored guard coat -- black tipped with fawn or mahogany base.
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Colorless, silvery hairs around front of muzzle.
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Tuffs of hair in opening of ears.
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