Gunner

Here is Gunner the day I brought him home. I can't believe he was ever so small! He is pictured here with my younger sister, Brenda. As Gunner grew up, I remember just looking at his beautiful, black head with the soft almond eyes and marveling that I could own something so lovely...or does he own me? As I learned more about the breed, I could pick out a conformation flaw here and there, but my admiration for his beauty has not been diminished by my knowledge of the breed standard.

Here is Gunner as a youngster. The Belgian Tervuren's blackening typically increases with age. Contrast this photo with that below.

This is Gunner as a mature male. I loved his rich, mahogany coloration. Bred by Linda Newsome and Sherri Samel Hurst, Gunner was the son of Ch. Tacara's Vintage Valkyr CD and Ch. Tacara's Spree Soignes CD. An exuberant retriever, I had hoped that Gunner would earn his CDX title, however, he tended to jump prematurely when nervous and excited, such as at a show site, and I worried that he would injure himself. If there was a title awarded for the biggest tongue in a Terv, Gunner would definitely be in contention! Although he mellowed out as he matured, Gunner taught me the concept of "always in motion unless under command."

Here is Gunner at 10 years of age. Although there is a fair amount of frost on his muzzle, you can still see the sparkle in his eyes! Gunner would draw admiring glances wherever we would go although most folks thought he was a German Shepherd/Collie mix or a wolf! For five years, Gunner served as my "demo dog" on the first evening of the pet obedience classes I teach and it warmed my heart to see him still leap up with exuberance at each "Heel" command, even at 12 years young. One of his funnier behaviors was running up and peering into my face with great concern whenever I would sneeze. My big, handsome boy is sadly missed.