Breed Comparison: Barbet Versus Belgian Tervuren

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Barbet Versus Belgian Tervuren: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Barbet and the Belgian Tervuren? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Barbet and the Belgian Tervuren better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Barbet and the Belgian Tervuren.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Barbet and the Belgian Tervuren is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Barbet and for the Belgian Tervuren. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Barbet and the Belgian Tervuren.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Barbet or the Belgian Tervuren.

Barbet versus Belgian Tervuren: Overview

A very important difference between the Barbet and the Belgian Tervuren is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Barbet is a medium-sized dog while the Belgian Tervuren is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Barbet belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

On the other hand, the Belgian Tervuren belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

Barbet versus Belgian Tervuren: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Barbet to the Belgian Tervuren based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Barbet and the Belgian Tervuren

Factor Barbet Belgian Tervuren
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 3/5
Life Span 13 to 15 years 10 to 12 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Height 20 to 25 inches tall at the shoulder 21 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 3/5
Easygoing 3/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 2/5
Weight 37 to 62 pounds 40 to 70 pounds
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 11.0 years
Price Range No Data $1200 – $2000
Average Price No Data $1630
Temperament Score 100.0 percent 81.4 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • AKC or UKC DNA Profile
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months, recommend CAER eye exam prior to onset of breeding and then periodically thereafter
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
    		•
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Barbet in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Belgian Tervuren. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Barbet is 82 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Belgian Tervuren is 77 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Barbet is a better pet than the Belgian Tervuren. So, you should get the Barbet!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Barbet and the Belgian Tervuren so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the Barbet and the Belgian Tervuren

    The Barbet and the Belgian Tervuren are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Barbet and the Belgian Tervuren are most similar:

    • Both the Barbet and the Belgian Tervuren do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Barbet and the Belgian Tervuren do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Barbet and the Belgian Tervuren are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Both the Barbet and the Belgian Tervuren are not prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Both the Barbet and the Belgian Tervuren can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Barbet and the Belgian Tervuren can tolerate hot weather.
    • Both the Barbet and the Belgian Tervuren get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Barbet and the Belgian Tervuren get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the Barbet and the Belgian Tervuren are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Both the Barbet and the Belgian Tervuren are very easy to train.
    • Both the Barbet and the Belgian Tervuren are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Barbet and the Belgian Tervuren are very playful.
    • Both the Barbet and the Belgian Tervuren are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Barbet and the Belgian Tervuren have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.

    Size Comparison of Barbet versus Belgian Tervuren

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Barbet and the Belgian Tervuren.

    Barbets weigh 37 to 62 pounds when fully grown. Barbets are 20 to 25 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Belgian Tervurens weigh 40 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Belgian Tervurens are 21 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Barbet versus Belgian Tervuren

    The lifespan of Barbets is between 13 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Barbets is 14.0 years.

    The lifespan of Belgian Tervurens is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Belgian Tervurens is 11.0 years.

    Barbets live longer than Belgian Tervurens.

    Temperament of the Barbet Versus the Belgian Tervuren

    The Barbet has a better temperament than the Belgian Tervuren.

    This is because the temperament score for the Barbet is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Belgian Tervuren is 81.4 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the Barbet has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 81.4 percent, the Belgian Tervuren has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Barbet and the Belgian Tervuren by measuring the temperaments of 1 Barbets and 521 Belgian Tervurens.

    Health Problems of Barbet versus Health Problems of Belgian Tervuren

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Barbet and the Belgian Tervuren are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Barbet is prone to more genetic health problems than the Belgian Tervuren.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Barbet than for the Belgian Tervuren.

    5 health tests are recommended for Barbet while 4 tests are recommended for the Belgian Tervuren.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Barbets and in Belgian Tervurens.

    Barbet Health Problems

    Barbets are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Barbet puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Barbet puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Barbet breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Barbets for:

  • AKC or UKC DNA Profile
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months, recommend CAER eye exam prior to onset of breeding and then periodically thereafter
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Barbets here.

    Belgian Tervuren Health Problems

    Belgian Tervurens are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Belgian Tervuren puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Belgian Tervuren puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Belgian Tervuren breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Belgian Tervurens for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Belgian Tervurens here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Barbet versus Belgian Tervuren

    Barbets do not like to be left alone.

    Belgian Tervurens do not like to be left alone.

    Do Barbets shed more than Belgian Tervurens?

    Barbets do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Belgian Tervurens shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Barbet or the Belgian Tervuren

    Barbets do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Belgian Tervurens do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Barbet or the Belgian Tervuren?

    Barbets require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Belgian Tervurens are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Barbet Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Belgian Tervuren?

    Barbets have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Belgian Tervurens have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Barbets Bark and Howl? What about Belgian Tervurens?

    Barbets bark and howl, but not very much.

    Belgian Tervurens are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Barbets Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Belgian Tervurens Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Barbets can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Belgian Tervurens can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Barbet vs. Belgian Tervuren

    Barbets have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Belgian Tervurens have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Barbets Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Belgian Tervurens Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Barbets can tolerate hot weather.

    Belgian Tervurens can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Barbet or the Belgian Tervuren?

    Barbets get along very well with other dogs.

    Belgian Tervurens get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Barbets good family dogs? What about Belgian Tervurens?

    Barbets are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Belgian Tervurens are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Barbets and Belgian Tervurens?

    Barbets get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Belgian Tervurens get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the Barbet Easier to Train than the Belgian Tervuren?

    Barbets are very easy to train.

    Belgian Tervurens are very easy to train.

    Is the Barbet Better for Apartment Owners than the Belgian Tervuren?

    Barbets adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Belgian Tervurens adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Barbet or the Belgian Tervuren?

    Barbets are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Belgian Tervurens are OK for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Barbet versus Belgian Tervuren. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Barbet and the Belgian Tervuren better suits you and your family.