Are Belgian Tervurens Good Dogs? What Science Says

Last Updated: Nov 22, 2022

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Introduction to the Temperament of the Belgian Tervuren

The are many descriptions of the temperament of the Belgian Tervuren out there. However, most of these descriptions are difficult to verify or prove. They are based on mere speculations.

In this article, we will provide a factual description of the temperament of the Belgian Tervuren based on solid scientific research. This will give you a better understanding of what you can expect from the Belgian Tervuren breed.

We obtained our description of the temperament of Belgian Tervuren by analyzing raw scientific data from The Canine Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) database.

The C-BARQ dog temperament standard was developed by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania. It is considered the gold standard for measuring the behavior of dogs.

Over the years, the C-BARQ study has collected data on the temperament of thousands of dogs of different breeds including the Belgian Tervuren.

The C-BARQ study obtains its data by asking dog owners to score the behavior of their dogs on different behavior patterns.

The idea behind the C-BARQ study is that if it collects thousands of scores from thousands of dog owners on different aspects of dog behavior, a clear pattern will emerge on the temperament of different dog breeds.

The C-BARQ questionnaire measures 14 behavior aspects of dogs:

  1. Aggression towards stranger
  2. Aggression towards its owner
  3. Aggression towards other dogs
  4. How well they get along with other dogs
  5. Fear of strangers
  6. Fear of new things (new objects, unfamiliar loud sounds, etc)
  7. Fear of other dogs
  8. Separation anxiety
  9. Clinginess
  10. Trainability/ Stubbornness
  11. Prey drive
  12. Excitability
  13. Touch sensitivity
  14. Energy level

In this article, we will discuss the score of the Belgian Tervuren for each of these 14 characteristics. This will let you know the real temperament of the Belgian Tervuren.

The summary table below shows the score of the Belgian Tervuren for the different behavioral characteristics.

High percentage scores close to 100 are bad. Low percentage scores close to 0 are good.

Behavior Score
Energy Level 91.4 percent
Owner Directed Aggression 7.7 percent
Attachment Attention Seeking 68.2 percent
Prey Drive 48.2 percent
Dog Directed Aggression 43.3 percent
Excitability 42.9 percent
Stranger Directed Aggression 40.9 percent
Dog Directed Fear 40.1 percent
Stranger Directed Fear 37.4 percent
Dog Rivalry 33.3 percent
Nonsocial Fear 26.1 percent
Touch Sensitivity 25.5 percent
Separation Related Behavior 23.3 percent
Stubbornness 0.0 percent

Note that with proper training, you can better your Belgian Tervuren`s temperament. To learn how to properly train your Belgian Tervuren, I highly recommend that you go through Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.

I learned most of the things that I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.

Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Belgian Tervuren.

See also our complete ranking of dog breeds from the `best` to the `worst` based on temperament.

Are Belgian Tervurens Aggressive Towards Strangers?

Dog breeds that are aggressive to strangers show hostile responses to strangers approaching or invading the dog`s or the dog owner`s personal space, territory, or home range.

Stranger-aggressive dog breeds are quick to show aggression to unfamiliar people.

Typical signs of moderate aggression in dogs include barking, growling, and baring of teeth. More serious display of aggression generally includes snapping, lunging, biting, or attempting to bite.

Belgian Tervurens are quite a bit aggressive towards strangers.

This is because the Belgian Tervuren ranks high for aggression towards strangers.

The Belgian Tervuren ranks number 41 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards strangers.

This information is based on what 72 Belgian Tervuren owners reported on the temperament of their Belgian Tervuren in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Belgian Tervuren has a stranger-directed-aggression score of 40.9 %.

Other dog breeds that are quite a bit aggressive towards strangers just like the Belgian Tervuren are listed in the table below

Stranger-Directed-Aggression Rank Breed Stranger-Directed-Aggression Score
38 Weimaraner 42.2 %
39 Boxer 41.8 %
40 Dalmatian 41.5 %
41 Belgian Tervuren 40.9 %
42 Poodle (Miniature) 40.7 %
43 Old English Sheepdog 40.5 %
44 Cocker Spaniel (American) 40.4 %

The dog breeds that are most aggressive towards strangers are the:

  1. American Eskimo Dog
  2. Dachshund
  3. Miniature Pinscher
  4. Dachshund (Miniature)
  5. Miniature Schnauzer

The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards strangers are the:

  1. Siberian Husky
  2. Greyhound
  3. Irish Wolfhound
  4. Samoyed
  5. Black and Tan Coonhound

Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the most stranger-aggressive breed to the least stranger-aggressive breed.

Temperament of the Belgian Tervuren

Are Belgian Tervurens Aggressive Towards their Owners?

Due to human effort over the course of many centuries, the dog has become a very domestic animal. Dogs have learned to live well with humans. As a result, dogs respect and love their owners. Nevertheless, some dog breeds are less respectful to their owners than some other dog breeds.

Owner-aggressive dog breeds show threatening or hostile responses to their owner or other members of the household when challenged, manhandled, stared at, stepped over, or when approached while in possession of food, objects, or toys.

A dog that is owner-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite their owners.

Belgian Tervurens are not aggressive towards their owners.

This is because the Belgian Tervuren ranks very low for aggression towards its owner.

The Belgian Tervuren ranks number 99 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards their owners.

This information is based on what 72 Belgian Tervuren owners reported on the temperament of their Belgian Tervuren in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Belgian Tervuren has an owner-directed-aggression score of 7.7 %.

Other dog breeds that are not owner-aggressive just like the Belgian Tervuren are listed in the table below

Owner-Directed-Aggression Rank Breed Owner-Directed-Aggression Score
96 Eurasier 8.3 %
97 Belgian Sheepdog 8.3 %
98 Lagotto Romagnolo 8.0 %
99 Belgian Tervuren 7.7 %
100 German Shorthaired Pointer 7.7 %
101 Boston Terrier 7.6 %
102 Bernese Mountain Dog 7.3 %

The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards their owners are the:

  1. Pekingese
  2. Basenji
  3. Australian Silky Terrier
  4. Lhasa Apso
  5. Alaskan Husky

The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards their owners are the:

  1. Chinook
  2. Pointer
  3. Irish Water Spaniel
  4. Rhodesian Ridgeback
  5. Italian Greyhound

Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most aggressive to their owners to the ones that are least aggressive to their owners.

Are Belgian Tervurens Aggressive Towards other Dogs?

Dogs that are aggressive towards other dogs will direct aggressive threats or actions toward unknown or unfamiliar dogs.

A dog-aggressive dog will threaten or show hostile responses when approached by unfamiliar dogs

A dog that is dog-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite other dogs.

Belgian Tervurens are somewhat aggressive towards other dogs.

This is because the Belgian Tervuren ranks average for aggression towards other dogs.

The Belgian Tervuren ranks number 64 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards other dogs.

This information is based on what 72 Belgian Tervuren owners reported on the temperament of their Belgian Tervuren in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Belgian Tervuren has a dog-directed aggression score of 43.3 %.

Other dog breeds that are somewhat dog-aggressive just like the Belgian Tervuren are listed in the table below

Dog-Directed-Aggression Rank Breed Dog-Directed-Aggression Score
61 Giant Schnauzer 45.8 %
62 Airedale Terrier 45.7 %
63 Pomeranian 44.9 %
64 Belgian Tervuren 43.3 %
65 Flat-Coated Retriever 43.0 %
66 West Highland White Terrier 42.7 %
67 Kuvasz 42.2 %

The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards other dogs are the:

  1. American Eskimo Dog
  2. Parson Russell Terrier
  3. Chinese Crested
  4. Pit Bull mix
  5. Dachshund

The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards other dogs are the:

  1. Pointer
  2. Black and Tan Coonhound
  3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
  4. Irish Wolfhound
  5. Keeshond

Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most aggressive to other dogs to the ones that are least aggressive to other dogs.

Personality of the Belgian Tervuren

Are Belgian Tervurens Afraid of Strangers?

Some dogs breeds tend to be fearful of strangers.

Dogs that are fearful of strangers will avoid strangers. These dogs will crouch, cringe, or tremble when approached by strangers.

Extreme fear in dogs is characterized by serious attempts to escape or hide from the feared stranger.

Belgian Tervurens are quite a bit fearful of strangers.

This is because the Belgian Tervuren ranks high for fear of strangers.

The Belgian Tervuren ranks number 38 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of strangers.

This information is based on what 72 Belgian Tervuren owners reported on the temperament of their Belgian Tervuren in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Belgian Tervuren has a stranger-directed-fear score of 37.4 %.

Other dog breeds that are quite a bit stranger-fearful just like the Belgian Tervuren are listed in the table below

Stranger-Directed-Fear Rank Breed Stranger-Directed-Fear Score
35 Poodle (Toy) 37.7 %
36 Miniature Schnauzer 37.6 %
37 Shiba Inu 37.5 %
38 Belgian Tervuren 37.4 %
39 Australian Cattle Dog 36.7 %
40 Pomeranian 35.9 %
41 Border Collie 35.3 %

The dog breeds that show the most fear of strangers are the:

  1. Dachshund (Miniature)
  2. Chinese Crested
  3. American Eskimo Dog
  4. Italian Greyhound
  5. Chihuahua

The dog breeds that are least fearful of strangers are the:

  1. Old English Sheepdog
  2. Irish Wolfhound
  3. Norwegian Elkhound
  4. Siberian Husky
  5. Giant Schnauzer

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most fearful of strangers to the ones that are least fearful to strangers.

Are Belgian Tervurens Afraid of Other Dogs?

Some dogs breeds tend to show fear when an unfamiliar dog approaches them.

A dog that is fearful of other dogs will try to avoid meeting other dogs.

Belgian Tervurens are somewhat fearful of other dogs.

This is because the Belgian Tervuren ranks average for fear of other dogs.

The Belgian Tervuren ranks number 54 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of other dogs.

This information is based on what 72 Belgian Tervuren owners reported on the temperament of their Belgian Tervuren in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Belgian Tervuren has a dog-directed-fear score of 40.1 %.

Other dog breeds that are somewhat other-dog-fearful just like the Belgian Tervuren are listed in the table below

Dog-Directed-Fear Rank Breed Dog-Directed-Fear Score
51 Samoyed 41.6 %
52 Shetland Sheepdog 40.8 %
53 American Pit Bull Terrier 40.2 %
54 Belgian Tervuren 40.1 %
55 Papillon 40.0 %
56 Jack Russell Terrier 39.9 %
57 Cairn Terrier 39.8 %

The dog breeds that are most fearful of other dogs are the:

  1. Dachshund (Miniature)
  2. Fox Terrier (Toy)
  3. Chinese Crested
  4. Chihuahua
  5. Lhasa Apso

The dog breeds that are least fearful of other dogs are the:

  1. Giant Schnauzer
  2. Ibizan Hound
  3. Eurasier
  4. Kuvasz
  5. Borzoi

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most fearful of other dogs to the ones that are least fearful of other dogs.

Is the Belgian Tervuren a good pet

Do Belgian Tervurens Have Non-Social Fears?

Dogs that are fearful of sudden or loud noises, traffic, and unfamiliar objects and situations are said to exhibit nonsocial fear.

Belgian Tervurens are somewhat fearful of unfamiliar sounds, situations, and objects.

This is because the Belgian Tervuren ranks average for non-social fear.

The Belgian Tervuren ranks number 71 out of 124 dog breeds for being fearful of unfamiliar things and situations.

This information is based on what 72 Belgian Tervuren owners reported on the temperament of their Belgian Tervuren in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Belgian Tervuren has a nonsocial-fear score of 26.1 %.

Other dog breeds that are somewhat nonsocial-fearful just like the Belgian Tervuren are listed in the table below

Nonsocial-Fear Rank Breed Nonsocial-Fear Score
68 Whippet 29.6 %
69 Great Dane 28.4 %
70 Bulldog 27.2 %
71 Belgian Tervuren 26.1 %
72 Cocker Spaniel (English) 26.0 %
73 Flat-Coated Retriever 26.0 %
74 Golden Retriever 25.8 %

The dog breeds that are most fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:

  1. Australian Silky Terrier
  2. Dingo
  3. Fox Terrier (Smooth)
  4. English Bulldog
  5. Italian Greyhound

The dog breeds that are least fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:

  1. Giant Schnauzer
  2. Siberian Husky
  3. Irish Setter
  4. Kuvasz
  5. Borzoi

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most fearful of unfamiliar situations to the ones least fearful of unfamiliar situations.

Do Belgian Tervurens Get Along Well With Other Dogs?

Some dog breeds display high dog rivalry. These dog breeds will threaten or act hostile to other familiar dogs in the same household.

These dog breeds will compete with other dogs. Also, these dog breeds do not get along well with other dogs.

Belgian Tervurens are a little bit competitive when dealing with other dogs.

This is because the Belgian Tervuren ranks low on dog rivalry.

The Belgian Tervuren ranks number 77 out of 124 dog breeds for displaying dog rivalry when dealing with familiar dogs.

This information is based on what 72 Belgian Tervuren owners reported on the temperament of their Belgian Tervuren in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Belgian Tervuren has a dog-rivalry score of 33.3 %.

Other dog breeds that are a little bit competition-driven just like the Belgian Tervuren are listed in the table below

Dog-Rivalry Rank Breed Dog-Rivalry Score
74 Great Pyrenees 34.0 %
75 Airedale Terrier 33.7 %
76 Chow Chow 33.4 %
77 Belgian Tervuren 33.3 %
78 Doberman Pinscher 33.1 %
79 Boxer 32.8 %
80 Miniature Schnauzer 32.6 %

The dog breeds that do not get along well with other dogs are the:

  1. Miniature Pinscher
  2. Parson Russell Terrier
  3. Fox Terrier (Smooth)
  4. French Bulldog
  5. Treeing Walker Coonhound

The dog breeds that get along well with other dogs are the:

  1. Chinook
  2. Saint Bernard
  3. Norwegian Elkhound
  4. Italian Greyhound
  5. Scottish Terrier

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how well they get along with other dog breeds.

The Belgian Tervuren. Is it aggressive?

Are Belgian Tervurens Easy to Train?

Dogs have high trainability have the willingness to listen to their owner. These dogs are not stubborn. These dogs obey simple commands, and they learn very quickly.

Highly trainable dogs excel at fetching objects. They also respond positively to correction and ignore distraction.

Belgian Tervurens are very much easy to train.

This is because the Belgian Tervuren ranks very high for trainability.

The Belgian Tervuren ranks number 1 out of 124 dog breeds for easiness to train.

This information is based on what 72 Belgian Tervuren owners reported on the trainability of their Belgian Tervuren in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Belgian Tervuren has a trainability score of 100.0 %.

Other dog breeds that are very much easy to train just like the Belgian Tervuren are listed in the table below

Trainability Rank Breed Trainability Score
1 Belgian Tervuren 100.0 %
2 Belgian Malinois 99.2 %
3 Border Collie 97.3 %
4 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 95.3 %

The dog breeds that are most easy to train are the:

  1. Belgian Tervuren
  2. Belgian Malinois
  3. Border Collie
  4. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
  5. Irish Water Spaniel

The dog breeds that are difficult to train are the:

  1. Dingo
  2. Treeing Walker Coonhound
  3. Basenji
  4. Afghan Hound
  5. Pekingese

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are easiest to train to the ones that are most difficult to train.

Learn more about how intelligent the Belgian Tervuren is and how the intelligence of the Belgian Tervuren affects its trainability in this article on how smart the Belgian Tervuren is.

Do Belgian Tervurens Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?

Dog breeds that have high chase-drive will run after (chase) cats, birds, and/or other small animals, given the opportunity.

Belgian Tervurens are somewhat into chasing after other smaller pets like cats, squirrels, chickens, and birds.

This is because the Belgian Tervuren ranks average for small-pet-chasing.

The Belgian Tervuren ranks number 62 out of 124 dog breeds for chasing after smaller pets.

This information is based on what 72 Belgian Tervuren owners reported on the temperament of their Belgian Tervuren in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Belgian Tervuren has a chasing score of 48.2 %.

Other dog breeds that are somewhat into chasing after smaller pets just like the Belgian Tervuren are listed in the table below

Chasing Rank Breed Chasing Score
59 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 50.2 %
60 Newfoundland 48.4 %
61 Boxer 48.3 %
62 Belgian Tervuren 48.2 %
63 Cocker Spaniel (American) 48.0 %
64 Australian Shepherd 47.3 %
65 Poodle (Standard) 46.9 %

The dog breeds that like chasing after cats and other smaller pets are the:

  1. Basenji
  2. Dingo
  3. Ibizan Hound
  4. Parson Russell Terrier
  5. Borzoi

The dog breeds that will not chase after cats and other smaller pets are the:

  1. Pug
  2. Bulldog
  3. Shih Tzu
  4. Bernese Mountain Dog
  5. Great Pyrenees

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their prey drive.

Things to know before getting the Belgian Tervuren

Do Belgian Tervurens Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?

Some dog breeds like to stay close to their owners all the time. These dogs like attention, and they like to receive the affection of their owners.

These dogs get jealous when their owners give attention to other dogs or other people instead of them.

Dogs with these traits are described as attachment/attention-seeking.

Belgian Tervurens are quite a bit attachment/attention-seeking.

This is because the Belgian Tervuren ranks high for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.

The Belgian Tervuren ranks number 28 out of 124 dog breeds for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.

This information is based on what 72 Belgian Tervuren owners reported on the temperament of their Belgian Tervuren in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Belgian Tervuren has an attachment/attention-seeking score of 68.2 %.

Other dog breeds that are quite a bit attachment/attention-seeking just like the Belgian Tervuren are listed in the table below

Attachment-Attention-Seeking Rank Breed Attachment-Attention-Seeking Score
25 Giant Schnauzer 69.6 %
26 Staffordshire Bull Terrier 69.2 %
27 Dachshund 68.7 %
28 Belgian Tervuren 68.2 %
29 Bichon Frise 67.9 %
30 Rat Terrier 67.6 %
31 Dalmatian 67.6 %

The dog breeds that are always seeking the attention of their owners are the:

  1. Poodle (Toy)
  2. Fox Terrier (Toy)
  3. Australian Silky Terrier
  4. Australian Cattle Dog
  5. American Eskimo Dog

The dog breeds that are aloof are the:

  1. Norwegian Elkhound
  2. Borzoi
  3. Kuvasz
  4. English Setter
  5. Chow Chow

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their clinginess.

Do Belgian Tervurens have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?

Dog breeds that have separation anxiety do not like to be left alone.

These dog breeds tend to bark and destroy things when separated from their owners.

They become restless or lose their appetite when left alone.

Belgian Tervurens are not prone to developing separation anxiety.

This is because the Belgian Tervuren ranks very low for separation anxiety relative to other dog breeds.

The Belgian Tervuren ranks number 102 out of 124 dog breeds for separation anxiety.

This information is based on what 72 Belgian Tervuren owners reported on the temperament of their Belgian Tervuren in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Belgian Tervuren has a separation anxiety score of 23.3 %.

Other dog breeds that are not prone to develop separation anxiety just like the Belgian Tervuren are listed in the table below

Separation-Related-Behavior Rank Breed Separation-Related-Behavior Score
99 German Wirehaired Pointer 24.9 %
100 Keeshond 23.7 %
101 Bulldog 23.6 %
102 Belgian Tervuren 23.3 %
103 Gordon Setter 23.1 %
104 Airedale Terrier 23.0 %
105 Irish Water Spaniel 21.8 %

The dog breeds that are most prone to develop separation anxiety are listed below. These dog breeds do not like to be left alone. These dog breeds are the:

  1. Treeing Walker Coonhound
  2. Fox Terrier (Smooth)
  3. Chinese Crested
  4. Miniature Pinscher
  5. Australian Silky Terrier

The dog breeds that are least prone to develop separation anxiety are the:

  1. Kuvasz
  2. Borzoi
  3. Giant Schnauzer
  4. Eurasier
  5. Bernese Mountain Dog

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their tendency to develop separation anxiety.

Temperament Profile of the Belgian Tervuren

Are Belgian Tervurens Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?

Dogs that are touch-sensitive are fearful of `painful` procedures such as bathing, grooming, nail clipping, and veterinary examinations.

These dogs do not like going through these `painful` procedures, and they will react to show they do not like the procedure.

Belgian Tervurens are somewhat touch-sensitive.

This is because the Belgian Tervuren ranks average for touch sensitivity.

The Belgian Tervuren ranks number 72 out of 124 dog breeds for touch sensitivity.

This information is based on what 72 Belgian Tervuren owners reported on the temperament of their Belgian Tervuren in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Belgian Tervuren has a touch-sensitivity score of 25.5 %.

Other dog breeds that are somewhat touch-sensitive just like the Belgian Tervuren are listed in the table below

Touch-Sensitivity Rank Breed Touch-Sensitivity Score
69 Newfoundland 26.0 %
70 Old English Sheepdog 25.6 %
71 Shetland Sheepdog 25.6 %
72 Belgian Tervuren 25.5 %
73 Norwegian Elkhound 24.9 %
74 Border Terrier 24.7 %
75 English Springer Spaniel 24.7 %

The dog breeds that are most touch-sensitive are the:

  1. Fox Terrier (Toy)
  2. Miniature Pinscher
  3. Pekingese
  4. Australian Silky Terrier
  5. Chihuahua

The dog breeds that are least touch-sensitive are the:

  1. Kuvasz
  2. Borzoi
  3. Pointer
  4. Gordon Setter
  5. Portuguese Water Dog

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their sensitivity to touch.

Are Belgian Tervurens Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?

Excitable dog or hyper dog breeds display strong reactions to potentially exciting or arousing events, such as:

  • going for walks
  • car trips
  • sound of the doorbell
  • arrival of visitors, and
  • the owner arriving home

Highly excitable dog breeds have difficulty settling down after arousal.

Belgian Tervurens are a little bit hyper (excitable).

This is because the Belgian Tervuren ranks low for excitability.

The Belgian Tervuren ranks number 74 out of 124 dog breeds for excitability.

This information is based on what 72 Belgian Tervuren owners reported on the temperament of their Belgian Tervuren in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Belgian Tervuren has an excitability score of 42.9 %.

Other dog breeds that are a little bit excitable just like the Belgian Tervuren are listed in the table below

Excitability Rank Breed Excitability Score
71 Schipperke 43.1 %
72 German Shepherd 42.9 %
73 Border Collie 42.9 %
74 Belgian Tervuren 42.9 %
75 Ibizan Hound 42.2 %
76 English Bulldog 41.9 %
77 Shetland Sheepdog 41.7 %

The dog breeds that are most hyper (excitable) are the:

  1. Australian Silky Terrier
  2. Fox Terrier (Smooth)
  3. American Eskimo Dog
  4. Parson Russell Terrier
  5. Miniature Schnauzer

The dog breeds that are least hyper (excitable) are the:

  1. Borzoi
  2. Samoyed
  3. Great Pyrenees
  4. Italian Greyhound
  5. Anatolian Shepherd

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how hyper they are.

The Belgian Tervuren

Are Belgian Tervurens Playful? What is the Energy Level of Belgian Tervurens

Energetic dog breeds are very playful dog breeds. These are the dog breeds that do not get tired easily.

Belgian Tervurens are very much energetic.

This is because the Belgian Tervuren ranks very high for energy level.

The Belgian Tervuren ranks number 2 out of 124 dog breeds for energy level.

This information is based on what 72 Belgian Tervuren owners reported on the temperament of their Belgian Tervuren in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Belgian Tervuren has an energy-level score of 91.4 %.

Other dog breeds that are very much energetic just like the Belgian Tervuren are listed in the table below

Energy-Level Rank Breed Energy-Level Score
1 Belgian Malinois 100.0 %
2 Belgian Tervuren 91.4 %
3 Fox Terrier (Toy) 88.3 %
4 German Shorthaired Pointer 86.4 %
5 Ibizan Hound 85.3 %

The dog breeds that are most playful and most energetic are the:

  1. Belgian Malinois
  2. Belgian Tervuren
  3. Fox Terrier (Toy)
  4. German Shorthaired Pointer
  5. Ibizan Hound

The dog breeds that are laziest are the:

  1. Kuvasz
  2. Anatolian Shepherd
  3. Greyhound
  4. Great Pyrenees
  5. Pekingese

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the most energetic to the least energetic.

Conclusion on Belgian Tervuren Temperament

The temperament of your Belgian Tervuren comes from a combination of its genetics and what environment your Belgian Tervuren is exposed to.

You cannot change your Belgian Tervuren`s gene but you can change the things you expose your Belgian Tervuren to.

Exposing your Belgian Tervuren to dog training sessions early in its life can help you mold the temperament of your Belgian Tervuren to what you desire.

Again, with proper training, you can better your Belgian Tervuren`s temperament. To learn how to properly train a dog, I highly recommend Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.

I learned most of the things I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.

Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Belgian Tervuren.

If you think the Belgian Tervuren is the right dog breed for you, see our article on how much Belgian Tervurens cost and Belgian Tervuren puppy buying guide.

Also, see our list of reputable Belgian Tervuren breeders in the United States and the prices of their Belgian Tervuren puppies.