The Belgian Tervuren and the Groenendael look like the same breed of dog, and they are…sort of. Both are Belgian shepherds. Both dogs share a common history and a genetic foundation. Both are medium-sized dogs known for being strong, athletic, alert, and agile.
The similarities between the Belgian Tervuren and the Groenendael are so close that for a time, the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized them as one of four varieties of a single breed of Belgian Shepherd, which was recognized by the AKC in 1912. The four varieties were the Belgian Sheepdog (aka Groenendael or the Belgian Shepherd), the Belgian Laekenois, the Belgian Malinois, and the Belgian Tervuren. Today, most kennel clubs around the world recognize all “varieties” as their own breeds.
This article highlights what separates the Belgian Tervuren from the Groenendael.
Belgian Tervuren vs. Groenendael
| Belgian Tervuren | Groenendael (Belgian Sheepdog) | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 22-26 inches tall; 45-75 pounds | 22-26 inches tall; 45-75 pounds |
| Appearance | Medium-sized body with a long muzzle and a strong, lean body. Breed standard color: fawn to russet mahogany with a black overlayfawn to russet mahogany with a black overlay; however, other combinations are available: brindle, gray and black, silver and black, black, cream and black, fawn and liver, mahogany and liver. Coat is straight and abundant. | Medium-sized body with a long muzzle and a strong, lean body. Breed standard color: Black or black with small white markings on the toes or chest. Other colors are available, however. Abundant, long-haired coat. |
| Ancestry | Bred in Tervuren, Belgium, in the late 19th century as a working dog for herding and guarding. | Bred in Groenendael, Belgium, in the late 19th century as a working dog for herding and guarding. |
| Behavior | Loving, affectionate, and possessive toward its loved ones. Has herding and guarding instincts but does have the ability to relax. Wary of strangers but will warm up to them quickly. | Bright, watchful, and serious-minded; loving and affectionate towards its loved ones, child friendly. Likely to be a no-nonsense dog that continues working even without instruction. Relatively slow to warm up to strangers and will not tolerate them acting too familiar. |
| Health | Overall healthy, but can be prone to elbow and hip dysplasia, hereditary cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, epilepsy, and allergies, as well as osteochondritis dissecans, Von Willebrand’s disease, and autoimmune thyroiditis, particularly if obtained from an irresponsible breeder. | Overall healthy, but can be prone to elbow and hip dysplasia, hereditary cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, epilepsy, and allergies, as well as hypothyroidism, pannus, and hemangiosarcoma. |
| Lifespan | 12-14 years | 12-14 years |
Belgian Tervuren vs. Groenendael: Key Differences
The Groenendael’s standard coat color is black. Small white markings on the toes and/or chest are accepted as well.
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As the chart shows, the differences are minimal but significant. Both breeds’ size and lifespans are the same. Their ancestry is nearly identical, all but where in Belgium they were first bred and by whom. They even tend to suffer from similar health issues. The most significant differences boil down to their appearance and behavior.
Belgian Tervuren vs Groenendael: Appearance
The Belgian Tervuren is quickly distinguished from its very similar-looking cousin by its fawn to russet mahogany coat with a black overlay.
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At first glance, the Belgian Tervuren and the Groenendael appear to be the same dog in different colors. However, Belgian shepherd experts and lovers would wholeheartedly disagree. The breed color standards are the first giveaway that these medium-sized dogs with long muzzles, strong and lean bodies, and long, dense coats are not the same breed.
The Groenendael is black with a long double coat. This breed may have small white markings on its toes and/or chest. On the other hand, the Belgian Tervuren’s coat is fawn to mahogany in color with black overlays. Like the Groenendael, its double coat is long and abundant. This breed can also come in additional color combinations: brindle, gray and black, silver and black, black, cream and black, fawn and liver, and mahogany and liver.
Belgian Tervuren vs. Groenendael: Ancestry
The Belgian Tervuren and the Groenendael were once classified as a variety of the same breed, the Belgian sheepdog, at one point.
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Approximately six miles or 10 kilometers separate where these two breeds were bred. The Groenendael or Belgian sheepdog traces its origins back to the 1890s to Groenendael, Belgium, to dog breeder Nicolas Rose, who bred the all-black sheepdog. The dog’s name is taken from the city name and hotel-restaurant he operated, the Chateau de Groenendael. Rose’s female Groenendael, called Petite, placed first at an 1892 dog show in Cureghem, and it was her puppies with another black sheepdog that established the Belgian sheepdog breed.
A short time later, in the early 20th century, in the village of Tervuren, another breeder was at work crossing black dogs and fawn dogs. M. F. Corbeel developed the modern Terv. Today, the fawn to mahogany coat with the black overlay is standard to the Belgian Tervuren.
Belgian Tervuren vs. Groenendael: Behavior
Unlike the Groenendael and other Belgian shepherds, the Tervuren isn’t serious-minded all the time.
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Both breeds are loving, affectionate, and don’t like being alone. They enjoy attention and want to please their owners. However, the Belgian Tervuren is more likely to be jealous when the owner gives attention to another. Though both breeds are relatively good with children, the Groenendael is more child-friendly.
The Belgian Tervuren has strong instincts for guarding, herding, and driving. However, unlike the Groenendael and other Belgian shepherds, the Tervuren has the ability to relax and not be so intense all the time. The Groenendael is more likely to be stubborn in this way and continue his or her work even without instructions from the owner.
Although the Belgian Tervuren is somewhat wary of strangers, they warm up to people fairly quickly once they see that they are friends. The Groenendael, in contrast, is fairly slow to warm up to strangers. They will not tolerate too much familiarity from them.
The Groenendael is a fairly quiet dog and does not bark often. In contrast, the Belgian Tervuren is known to bark and howl frequently.
Belgian Tervuren vs. Groenendael: Health
The Belgian Tervuren and the Groenendael are healthy dogs overall, but there are a few conditions to be aware of.
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Both Belgian Tervurens and Groenendaels are generally healthy dogs. However, they can both suffer from elbow and hip dysplasia, as well as progressive retinal atrophy and hereditary cataracts. Both of these breeds may also deal with epilepsy and allergies.
The Belgian Tervuren can also be prone to osteochondritis dissecans, Von Willebrand’s disease, and autoimmune thyroiditis. The Groenendael may be more likely than other breeds to face hypothyroidism, pannus, and hemoangiosarcoma. These are more likely if you buy the dog from an irresponsible breeder.
Regardless of the breed, you should take your dog to the vet for a checkup at least once every year. It’s important to make sure that there is nothing wrong.
