Tiense Vechter

A Belgian fighting breed from the city of Tienen (Tirlemont in French) in Flemish Brabant, one of the five distinct Belgian gamefowl breeds recognised by the EE. The Tiense Vechter is a large, powerful gamefowl with a triple comb, hard feathering, and a tall, imposing stance. It was developed in the 19th century for the Tienen cockpit, and it is distinguished from other Belgian gamefowl by its slightly more compact build and distinctive head shape. The Tiense Vechter shares ancestry with the other great Belgian fighting breeds — the Brügger Kämpfer, Lütticher Kämpfer, and Brugse Vechter — each standardised separately based on subtle regional differences in type and the fierce local pride of Flemish and Walloon cities. Cockfighting was banned in Belgium in 1929, and the Tiense Vechter has since been maintained purely as an exhibition and conservation breed. Recognised by the EE Europastandard and BDRG.