Description:
Otis is an adorable puppy. Yeah, I don't really know what his breed mix is. Michelle calls him her little fuzz bucket. She's guessing that he is Shepherd/Chow mix. I put down Belgian Tervuren because they are a long-haired shepherd, and I like the way it sounds! But, hey, your guess is as good as mine....

We're thinking that Otis is going to grow up to be a good size ~ at 6 months he is already 20, maybe 25, pounds. Oh! but he is so gosh darn cute!!!!
According to www.dogbreedinfo.com, The Belgian Tervuren is one of four Belgian Sheepdogs. It is a very smart and obedient dog. Serious and watchful with strong protective and territorial instincts. Some are very shy or sensitive. This breed needs extensive socialization from an early age, and firm, but not harsh, training from an experienced master. If you are harsh or overbearing they will become uncooperative. Tervurens are instinctively protective so they should be trained and socialized very well from an early age. Breeders should socialize puppies right from birth. Good for working and competition obedience. These dogs make excellent police and guard dogs. This type of work is currently their main occupation. They do however, make excellent pets. They are ever-watchful, alert and loyal, and they thrive on loving companionship. Belgian Sheepdogs are good with children if socialized well with them. The Belgian Tervuren needs to be part of the family and not locked up in a kennel. It does best given ample time, attention, training and companionship. If this breed is ignored, it will find ways to entertain itself, often at the owner's expense. This breed has a lot of energy and needs a job to do. Working lines can have particularly high drive. Belgian Sheepdogs tends to bond strongly with one or two people. Take care when introducing this dog with small non-canine pets. Generally this Sheepdog gets along well with children, but they can be rather dominant toward other dogs. Provided they are correctly socialized with cats and other pets, they should not present any problems. Belgian Sheepdogs may instinctively display herding behavior such as chasing and circling, moving effortlessly for hours and nipping at people's heels. Good for working and competitive obedience. This is a very demanding dog. It needs an experienced owner. It can easily be difficult to control unless the owner knows how to handle him. There can be wide differences in temperament and aggressiveness. Talk to someone experienced with the breed before you buy your dog. Although these dogs are often impressive, don't base your purchase solely on achievement records and appearances. Animals displaying excessive aggression or fearfulness should be avoided.
The Belgian Tervuren, named for the Belgian village of Tervuren, is one of the four varieties of Belgian Sheepdogs. In most parts of the world the four varieties: the Tervuren (fawn-mahogany, shades of gray are acceptable in some registries, long coat with black mask and overlay, pronounced Terv-yer-en), the Groenendael (black, long coat, pronounced Grow-en-en-doll), Malinois (fawn-mahogany, short coat with black marks and overlay, pronounced Mal-in-wah), and the Laekenois (fawn, rough coat, pronounced Lak-in-wah), are all considered one breed. However in America, since 1959, the AKC has recognized the Groenendael, Malinois and Tervuren as separate breeds, but has not recognized the Laekenois at all. A less well-known, but growing U.S. registry, the UKC, does recognize all four varieties as one breed. An intelligent, versatile dog, the Belgian Tervuren excels not only in herding, but also in protection/law enforcement, drug/bomb/gas detection, search and rescue, tracking, obedience, sledding, agility and therapy/assistance to disabled, ill, or elderly people. Though not for everyone, properly socialized and trained, this high energy dog makes an excellent best friend and/or family companion dog. Brewer M. Corbeel is noted as the founder of the Tervuren variety, whose fawn dog was bred to a black longhaired dog, owned by M. Donhieux. The result of this cross became the prototype for the Tervuren standard. Even though his popularity is steadily increasing; his physical bearing is so similar to the German Shepherd Dog that he may never be a top-ranking canine. All the Belgian Sheepdogs were developed from hardy working dogs, which ensures that the modern breeds are compatibly gifted on the field. Today the Belgian Groenendael and Tervuren are most often used as companion dogs while the Laekenois and Malinois are used as guard dogs.
The Belgian Tervuren will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. It is moderately active indoors and will do best with at least an average-sized yard. This breed prefers cool climates, but adapts well to others. It can live outdoors but would much rather be with his people. It has an average life expectancy of 12-14 years.