Watch This Before Getting a Belgian Shepherd | 5 Questions to Consider

Watch This Before Getting a Belgian Shepherd | 5 Questions to Consider
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In this video we talk about 5 questions you should ask yourself before getting a Belgian Shepherd. If you're considering getting a Belgian Shepherd, whether it's a Belgian Tervuren, Groenedael, Malinois or Laekenois, this video will help you decide if this breed is the right choice for you.
1:09 - How much exercise - physical or mental - does a Belgian Shepherd need?
4:09 - Training your Belgian Shepherd
5:32 - Family Dog
7:15 - How well do Belgians tolerate bad weather?
8:32 - Shedding
+ bonus question

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Rancho the Dog is a 4 year old Belgian Shepherd Tervuren. There are 4 varieties of the Belgian Shepherd Dog - the Malinois (short coated), the Groenendael (black long-coated), the Lakenois (wire-haired) and the Tervuren (basically a long-coated Malinois, as far as color is concerned)

#ranchothedog

[michaelmarfell]

I absolutely love my Belgian Shepherd. You just need to know they are a high energy dog which requires a lot of exercise. And yes, they can be a handful but well worth it for those who enjoy the outdoors.

[mslongnleanlegs]

Very informative. Very true. I adopted a 3 yr old neutered male that had minimal training in first 3 years. He was a HANDFUL!!! He had an extensive bite history. I was bitten by him often in the beginning. And he barked a lot and very sharp bark. Between the time he came into my life & his leaving (unexpectedly hit by vehicle) he was getting better and better. Less negative behaviour, more snuggles & so much love!!! His death was sudden and I’m still grieving deeply. Run free Toby. He was 5.5 at death.

[kathleensullivan]

Had one growing up. Best dog ever. Be gone over 40 years and miss him still!!😢

[Huskyandwolfdog]

Great info! It's so important to ask yourself these things before you get a dog. Even when you check all these things there are always a chance on health risks, we just try to take care of them the best we can....🐺🐾🐶

[Jean-Christophe-J]

A realistic portrait of the life of a Belgian Shepherd! I give it to him and he gives a lot! Thank you very much for this portrait.

[maelughran]

These dogs are, as the video explains in helpful, articulate wording, 24/7. That's TWENTY FOUR SEVEN! No if's, buts or maybes.
That is teh commitment and dedication they demand. Yes, these dogs will tell you what they want! They are incredibe communicators.
They will return your inputs and investments in them, one hundred fold. You will learn to adore them, love them, like a son or a daughter...only, unlike the son and daughter they won't give you any grief. The most amazing companion you could ever hope for.

[FOXTheCutestDogintheWest]

These are questions to ask before getting just about any dog. Hi Rancho you have great pawrents to give you everything you need! It all makes great sense. I enjoyed this video. 👍🏻😁❤️🦊

[justthisandthat.]

what a beautiful dog! Husky and Wolfdog sent us. Not ready to get a Belgian Shepherd, but we'll love watching yours.

[LearnMarketingChannel]

This video has so much integrity in every single word that, even though I don’t know you from a bar of soap, I have absolutely nothing but the deepest respect for you! If ONLY all dog owners treated getting a pet, this seriously, it would be a much better world.

[yuesun]

I'd say also be prepared for the possibility that the terv may not be what you expected and you may need to earn their affection. On top of all the usual terv traits I wanted a dog that cuddled. However initially he treated me differently than everyone else since I was the person that worked and was away the most, he growled and tried to bite whenever I picked him up or give him a kiss on the forehead. He also had food aggression mostly towards me. It took a lot of training and a long time for him to warm up to me.

Another thing about having a belgian terv or any dog for that matter is safety must be taken seriously at all times. My dog fractured his femur and sprained his wrist from falling out of a moving vehicle. He went out of the window from stepping on the window switch the one time I forgot to put the child lock on. After surgery, he was supposed to be on crate rest, but I didn't have the heart to keep a 8-month puppy in the crate for 23hr40min a day, he had chances to jump around. He ended up breaking the plate that was holding the broken femur, which I had no idea was even a possibility, and the vet had suggested an amputation. I pushed for another surgery to repair the bone, but because this time there is less bone surface to work with, there is still a small chance of an amputation. Luckily the surgery was successfully. The crate rest was taken a lot more seriously this second time. As frustrated as he was to be in the crate for 8 weeks, he healed completely after that. He is able run and jump again.

In addition, early on socialization, meaning from the moment you get the dog, is crucial for this breed. Because of covid and the advice that he should not interact with other dogs prior to his vaccination, he spent a lot of time only seeing the family in the first few months. By the time we took him to his puppy class, he was no longer used to meeting new people and growled at anyone who tried to approach, the instructors had no idea how to deal with him. We then went to someone who had experience with this breed, and were able to make a lot of progress. But unfortunately it was mostly lost when the injury hit. To this day, he is not able to walk through an area with a crowd without being super protective, and I must shorten his leash whenever a biker or large male approached, otherwise I can't guarantee that he won't lunge at them and bare his teeth. We get a lot of people who would stop and complement him on his beautiful appearance which is never well received by him, as everyone looks like a suspect to him. Luckily we live in a low density area, there is no way I could manage if I were to move into an apartment with him at this point.

As for the personality of my belgian terv, I think he is strong opinionated, highly cautious of all new objects/experiences, fiercely loyal, never takes s*** from anyone, he is smart in the sense that he's good at reading when he's pushed the boundaries too far and knowing when to behave himself, he leaves you alone when you are busy and comes for cuddling the second he sees that you are done working. It does take a lot of work to get to a place where you can comfortably coexist.

[marlonthissen]

Beautiful dog. I've had 3 tervuerens but have not seen the high energylevel you describe. My cousin owns a malinois....and thats a real energy bomb.
As for training; in my experience the tervueren is an easy to train breed. They want to work for you. Mine is a gentle, intelligent love her to bits😊

[TheLookylook]

I thought we were active people until we got our Tervueren Tove. People also ask me if she ever gets tired. 😂Yes she does, like you said, if all her needs are met. This a great instructive video!
Hope you guys and Rancho are doing well!

[Smitman]

Thank you for this clear and educational video. Very recognizable. Whether you like dog hair?.... great 🤣. Another tip: Reserve a monthly amount for vet costs when owning a dog. Stay happy and healthy 👋👋👊

[connerq]

The ending hit home for me! I did my research but I taught myself everything I know about training in order to prepare and had to learn along the way because I was never in a spot long enough to get him professionally trained. Five years later I have a baby and they love each other and he’s been patient with us both. They are the silliest and sweetest and give the best cuddles and hugs I think because they really get into it. I love them so much but I don’t think I’m getting another. Are you on Facebooks Belgian page? It’s a wonderful group.

[SmudgetheBeagle]

Awesome set of questions to ask and things to consider for potential belgian shepherd pawrents before taking the plunge. Puppies are so cute and hard to resist, but any dog is big commitment - being forewarned and prepared definitely helps toward happy dog owners and dogs. 😊

[lornamackenzie]

Rancho needs a lot of physical and mental stimulation and you provide him with that. I love to see him running about or on a hike with you. 😊💙

[pegsclips]

hi, came over from our good friends Husky and Wolfdog's shout out. happily joined your channel

[finleythedoofusgroenendael]

Very informative, thank you! We should've done more research before we got our Groenendael -- energy level is just through the roof!

[cathygriffith]

WOW. RANCHO CAN REALLY JUMP. GREAT VIDEO. SWAMP HUGS FROM LOUISIANA

[elenavivi]

Ranchooo!!! This was entertaining and definitely informative. If you’re planning to get a Belgian Shepherd, “All their PHYSICAL & MENTAL needs have to be met.” $ for dog training. There is so much to learn & consider. Rancho is gorgeous, that face!!! Shedding is something I’m used to. Yes!! Do your research!!! Find the perfect fit for you!!! We love ya Rancho and fabulous fam! 🥰👍🐕🐾💕