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COLOR:
mahogany female, fawn male, both with black overlay, showing a range of acceptable coloring
Preferred Tervuren coloring ranges rather widely, from rich fawn to a russet mahogany base color, all having a some degree of black overlay and a black mask.
Disqualification: Solid black, solid liver, or any area of white except as specifiedon the chest, tips of toes, chin and muzzle are a DISQUALIFICATION (by this the standard means solid, without characteristic lighter underpinnings or contrasting overlay).
Serious Faults: A face with a complete absence of black. Absence of black overlay in mature dogs (make allowances for young dogs) Some females carry very light overlay, but it should be found minimally on the shoulder area of adult females Faults: Predominate color that is pale, washed out, cream or gray. Blackening in patches.
Body rich fawn to russet mahogany with black overlay is ideal and preferred. Predominate color that is pale, washed out, cream or gray is a fault. The coat is characteristically double pigmented whereby the tips of the fawn hairs are blackened. Belgian Tervuren characteristically become darker with age. On mature males, this blackening is especially pronounced on the shoulders, back and rib section. Blackening in patches is a fault. Although allowance should be made for females and young males, absence of blackening in mature dogs is a serious fault.
Chest is normally black, but may be a mixture of black and gray. The tail typically has a darker or black tip.
The desired coloring on the adult Tervuren ranges rather widely, from a warm fawn to russet mahagany base color with some degree of black overlay, and a black mask. The chest and throat is typically black or a mix of black and gray. The ears are mostly black. The underparts of the body, tail, and breeches are cream, gray, or light beige. The mask (muzzle) is black, and the tip of the tail is normally black. Considerable variation of base color and overlay may be seen from dog to dog.
Predominant color that is pale, washed out, cream or gray is a fault.
Solid black (which occurs in the breed) or solid liver (rare) is a disqualification.
The overlay
The overlay is often described as if the dog were lightly caressed with soot, although a considerable variation of acceptable black overlay is seen within the breed. Blackening in patches is a fault. The presence of some black overlay in an adult Tervuren is essential. On mature males, the blackening is especially pronounced on the shoulders, back and rib section.
The Tervuren base color characteristically becomes deeper, and the black overlay more pronounced, as the dog ages. Allowance for very little overlay should be made for puppies, and for females, who do not always have the amount of overlay as a male, because he carries a longer coat. However, a complete absence of black overlay in mature dogs is a serious fault.
White markings
White is permitted on the chest/sternum only, not to extend more than 3 inches above the prosternum, and not to reach either point of shoulder. Frost or white on chin or muzzle is normal. The underparts of the body, tail, and breeches are cream, gray, or light beige. The tips of the toes may be white. Nail color may vary from black to transparent. Solid black, solid liver or any area of white except as specified on the chest, tips of the toes, chin and muzzle are disqualifications.
 The underparts of the body, tail, and particularly breeches are cream, gray, or light beige. Please do not confuse cream in these areas as white.
The Tervuren historically carries genes for white on the chest and some white on the toes. White on the chest is perfectly acceptable, but should remain confined to the chest area. White splashes or streaks are not allowed elsewhere on the dog.
White on the chest should be confined to the chest/sternum only. It must be disqualified if it reaches to either point of shoulder, or if you feel that it extends more than 3 inches above the prosternum. The tips of the toes may be white. Patches of white anywhere else on the dog are a disqualification. For example, white covering an entire foot or extending up the pastern, or a white patch on the side of the neck or body would fall under the description of the white disqualification.
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White is permitted on the chest. The amount of white on this dog goes beyond what is preferred (see the Faults & DQ section for how to weigh faults). How much chest white is a DQ? Of course, one does not measure white in the ring. As a judge, you must use your judgment. If from the skin it reaches to either point of shoulder, or if you feel it is over 3 inches above the prosternum, it is a disqualification. This young dog is an example of being so close that he might be disqualified under one judge, and not under another, based on their judgment that day. But as a point of reference, you can see that if it extended higher up the throat it would unquestionably have measured as a disqualification. Note the gray coloring crossing over the tape below the 4 inch mark - a mix of gray and black hairs on the throat is normal.
Frosting Frosting or white seen on the chin or muzzle as frosting is considered normal. Most Tervuren are born with frost on the chin. The frosting will become more and more apparent onto the muzzle as the dog ages, extending as age-related frosting on the face as the dog ages. This should not be faulted.
veteran female (left) and male (right) with normal frosting that comes with age.
The black mask
Face has a black mask and the ears are mostly black. A face with a complete absence of black is a serious fault. Frost or white on chin or muzzle is normal.
These masks are acceptable under the AKC standard.
The "mask" in the Tervuren refers to a black muzzle and is a distinguishing feature of the breed. There are specimens who's black muzzle does not quite reach up to the eye, and those with a lighter colored "V" coming part way down from the stop toward the nose in an otherwise black muzzle. A judge should only be concerned with dogs that are noticeably lacking a black muzzle, or a mask that is brown, rather than black, in color. Some dogs have predominately black color encompassing both the mask and head - that is not considered faulty unless the entire head and neck picture together is so solid black that the entire head assembly looks like a (black) Belgian Sheepdog.
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a face with complete absence of black is a serious fault |
remember to judge positively: The lovely head and expression on this male should impress a judge more than the slightly lighter mask! |
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Guide for Judges
Introduction
Welcome to the ABTC online Judges' Education guide. The intent of this guide is to discuss and illustrate those points of the standard which deal with qualities most unique to the breed, which are commonly referred to as "type". It is directed to judges and aspiring judges of the breed under the AKC breed standard who already have general knowledge of soundness in the Herding breeds.
Copyright © American Belgian Tervuren Club, Inc. 2000-2009, all rights reserved.
Judge's Responsibility
The judge plays a vital role in the survival of the Belgian Tervuren as a functional herding dog with correct breed type. Championship titles, Group and Best In Show winners are sought after in pedigrees. Only when the dogs possessing correct type are the dogs rewarded by the judge in the ring, will the breed continue to improve.
Please judge positively. After all, all dogs have faults. The breed standard gives far more attention to describing the features the dog should possess, those which make him look and function like a Belgian Tervuren, than it does in listing faults. The standard is a blueprint of positive breed type. A dog that possesses the most positive qualities is quite likely to be the best representative of the breed.
A dog with outstanding breed type should always be in strong contention for the winners circle, remembering all the while that
the Belgian Tervuren is a herding dog and versatile worker. The highest value is to be placed on qualities that maintain these abilities, specifically, correct temperament, gait, bite and coat.
HISTORY AND PURPOSE:
The Belgians were a rustic, brave dog, known for exceptional intelligence, athleticism and trainability. They were found working with the farmer – herding sheep and other small livestock; protecting home and property; and doing varied tasks for the modest working people of Belgium.They were prized in their homeland as police dogs and as war dogs.
 The Belgians share a common ancestry. Originally classified as simply long hair, short hair, and rough haired, irrespective of coloring, to this day in their homeland they remain a single breed with varieties, named according to their phenotype, or appearance, which is not always the same as their parents.
Read more...
 The Tervuren is a sheep herding breed and a versatile all-around worker. It is by nature an active and responsive dog, full of life and delighted to be with its owner. It is very zealous for the attention of its family, which accounts for its outstanding success and popularity as an owner-trained and handled breed.
In the ring
The natural protective instincts of the Tervuren make it a breed which which does not immediately make friends with strangers. While they typically show much interest in interacting with their handler, it is not typical for an adult Tervuren to be overly friendly to strangers. While a certain aloofness with strangers is considered normal, it should be confident and trustworthy in the ring, always displaying good manners.
A judge should never reward a dog that must be held up for exam or that acts fearful or untrustworthy. While some judges prefer that a dog's muzzle be held during an exam (or some handlers offer the courtesy of holding the muzzle), take note of how a dog so controlled is reacting to your exam. As a judge you should never make excuses for unstable behavior when it is observed.
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General Appearance
Silhouette counts. The first thing a judge should consider is whether the dog has the look which is unmistakably Tervuren. It is not a good Tervuren if it does not have correct silhouette, no matter how nice it may look or move.
The Tervuren stands naturally with proud carriage of head and neck over a balanced, square body having medium bone and balanced angulation front to rear. The slightly long, arched neck gives the head a most elegant carriage. It's straight, dense, natural falling coat should not obscure the outline. Faced with a black muzzle, alert high set ears and intelligent expression, the entire picture should say "Belgian".
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Body Details
 sculpture by M. Fath, France, 1953
TheTervuren is a well-balanced square dog with medium bone structure.He has a nice neckline that is proudly carried over the wither which is slightly accentuated. The shoulders are laid back with forelegs set under the dog's chest. The rear angulation is balanced to the front, the hocks are vertical and the hind feet set comfortably below the point of the dog's rump - the dog stands squarely. The chest is deep, but not broad, with a smooth ascendant underline to the loin.
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Head
 
The moderately long, cleanly chiseled head with balanced proportions, dark almond eyes and high set ears, combined an alert, intelligent and questioning expression easily distinguishes the Tervuren from other breeds.
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Teeth
Full complement of strong white teeth, evenly set, meeting in a scissors or a level bite. Overshot and undershot teeth are a fault. An undershot bite such that there is a complete loss of contact by all the incisors is a disqualification. Broken or discolored teeth should not be penalized. Missing teeth are a fault. Four or more missing teeth are a serious fault.
 We ask that judges check the teeth gently from the side, rather than attempting to pry the mouth open. Please, do not pry open the mouth in the manner seen for Doberman Pinschers and Rottweilers.
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Gait
Lively and graceful, covering the maximum ground with minimum effort. Always in motion, seemingly never tiring, he shows ease of movement rather than hard driving action. He single tracks at a fast gait, the legs both front and rear converging toward the center line of gravity of the dog. Viewed from the side he exhibits full extension of both fore and hindquarters. The back line should remain firm and level, parallel to the line of motion.
The gait is light and relaxed
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Coat
The Belgian Tervuren is particularly adaptable to extremes of temperature or climate.The long guard hairs are straight, close fitting, and of medium harshness. The undercoat is dense, commensurate with climatic conditions. The female rarely has as long or as ornamented a coat as the male, and she should be considered equally regardless of this disparity.
Read more...
COLOR:
mahogany female, fawn male, both with black overlay, showing a range of acceptable coloring
Preferred Tervuren coloring ranges rather widely, from rich fawn to a russet mahogany base color, all having a some degree of black overlay and a black mask.
Disqualification: Solid black, solid liver, or any area of white except as specifiedon the chest, tips of toes, chin and muzzle are a DISQUALIFICATION (by this the standard means solid, without characteristic lighter underpinnings or contrasting overlay).
Serious Faults: A face with a complete absence of black. Absence of black overlay in mature dogs (make allowances for young dogs) Some females carry very light overlay, but it should be found minimally on the shoulder area of adult females Faults: Predominate color that is pale, washed out, cream or gray. Blackening in patches.
Read more...
Faults and Disqualifications - including a Belgian comparison chart
Any deviation from these specifications is a fault. In determining whether a fault is minor, serious, or major, these two factors should be used as a guide:
- The extent to which it deviates from the standard
- The extent to which such deviation would actually affect the working ability of the dog
The Tervuren standard has disqualifications for
- Size (Males under 23 inches or over 26.5 inches or females under 21 inches or over 24.5 inches)
- Ears (Hanging ears, as a hound)
- Bite (An undershot bite such that there is a complete loss of contact by all the incisors.)
- Tail (A cropped or stump tail)
- Color (Solid black, solid liver, or any area of white except as specified on the chest, tips of toes, chin and muzzle)
Please judge positively -We hope that as a judge you are able to recognize outstanding breed type and functionality when it is presented in the ring.
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How to Examine the Belgian Tervuren
Here are some tips that will help you through an efficient, comprehensive breed-specific evaluation.
- Look at the profile
- Do not stare at the dog close-up
- Be pleasant and expect the dog to be also
- Check for missing teeth - gently from the sides
- check depth of chest, forechest, and shoulder angulation
- check placement of shoulder assembly
- check tail length
And of course, evaluate the many breed-specific and functional qualities that we talked about in this forum!
Consider that the great majority of Tervuren are owner-handled. (please read on...)
Read more...
Click here to open the 2-sided 3-fold printable 2009 Quick reference brochure (will open in another window). Follow your printer instructions for how to re-insert/align the paper to print on both sides. This brochure along with the 2007 Quick Guide are intended as fast easy printable reference sources for judging. Neither replaces in depth study such as the club seminars or judges education website.
Click here to open the 1 page, printable 2007 Quick Guide Sheet (will open in another window). This, along with the 2 sided 2009 Quick Reference Guide, are intended to assist the judge as easily printed reference sources. Neither replaces in-depth learning such as from our approved seminars and website sources.
 tervuren_quick_guide_for_judges.pdf (88.45 KB, 2009-01-10 14:32)
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