Is the Belgian Tervuren Better than the Kooikerhondje as a Pet? Our Answer.

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Belgian Tervuren Versus Kooikerhondje: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Belgian Tervuren and the Kooikerhondje? 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 Belgian Tervuren and the Kooikerhondje 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 Belgian Tervuren and the Kooikerhondje.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Belgian Tervuren and the Kooikerhondje 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 Belgian Tervuren and for the Kooikerhondje. 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 Belgian Tervuren and the Kooikerhondje.

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

Belgian Tervuren versus Kooikerhondje: Overview

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

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Kooikerhondje 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.

Belgian Tervuren versus Kooikerhondje: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Belgian Tervuren to the Kooikerhondje 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 Belgian Tervuren and the Kooikerhondje

Factor Belgian Tervuren Kooikerhondje
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 14 years
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 3/5
Height 21 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder 14 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 2/5
General Health 3/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Weight 40 to 70 pounds 20 to 25 pounds
Easygoing 1/5 2/5
Easy To Train 5/5 1/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1630 No Data
Price Range $1200 – $2000 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•  No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Belgian Tervuren 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 Kooikerhondje. 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 Belgian Tervuren is 77 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Kooikerhondje is 70 out of 125.

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

    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 Belgian Tervuren and the Kooikerhondje so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Belgian Tervuren and the Kooikerhondje

    Below is a list of where the Belgian Tervuren and the Kooikerhondje are most different:

    • Belgian Tervurens are very easy to train. However, Kooikerhondjes are not easy to train.

    The Similarities Between the Belgian Tervuren and the Kooikerhondje

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

    • Both the Belgian Tervuren and the Kooikerhondje do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Belgian Tervuren and the Kooikerhondje do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Belgian Tervuren and the Kooikerhondje are not prone to gaining weight easily.
    • Both the Belgian Tervuren and the Kooikerhondje are not prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Both the Belgian Tervuren and the Kooikerhondje have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Belgian Tervuren and the Kooikerhondje can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Belgian Tervuren and the Kooikerhondje are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Belgian Tervuren and the Kooikerhondje shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
    • Both the Belgian Tervuren and the Kooikerhondje have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
    • Both the Belgian Tervuren and the Kooikerhondje require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Belgian Tervuren and the Kooikerhondje are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
    • Both the Belgian Tervuren and the Kooikerhondje are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Belgian Tervuren and the Kooikerhondje have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Belgian Tervuren and the Kooikerhondje are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Belgian Tervuren versus Kooikerhondje

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

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

    On the other hand, Kooikerhondjes weigh 20 to 25 pounds when fully grown. Kooikerhondjes are 14 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Belgian Tervuren versus Kooikerhondje

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

    The lifespan of Kooikerhondjes is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Kooikerhondjes is 13.0 years.

    Kooikerhondjes live longer than Belgian Tervurens.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Belgian Tervuren versus Kooikerhondje

    Belgian Tervurens do not like to be left alone.

    Kooikerhondjes do not like to be left alone.

    Do Belgian Tervurens shed more than Kooikerhondjes?

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

    Kooikerhondjes shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Belgian Tervuren or the Kooikerhondje

    Belgian Tervurens do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Kooikerhondjes do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Belgian Tervurens are moderately easy to groom.

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

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

    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.

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

    Do Belgian Tervurens Bark and Howl? What about Kooikerhondjes?

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

    Kooikerhondjes bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Belgian Tervurens can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Kooikerhondjes can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Belgian Tervuren vs. Kooikerhondje

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

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

    Can Belgian Tervurens Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Kooikerhondjes Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Kooikerhondjes can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Belgian Tervurens get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Kooikerhondjes do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Belgian Tervurens good family dogs? What about Kooikerhondjes?

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

    Kooikerhondjes are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Belgian Tervurens and Kooikerhondjes?

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

    Kooikerhondjes do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Is the Belgian Tervuren Easier to Train than the Kooikerhondje?

    Belgian Tervurens are very easy to train.

    Kooikerhondjes are not easy to train.

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

    Belgian Tervurens adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Kooikerhondjes adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Belgian Tervurens are OK for new dog owners.

    Kooikerhondjes are OK for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Belgian Tervuren versus Kooikerhondje. 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 Belgian Tervuren and the Kooikerhondje better suits you and your family.