The Malinois Standard
GENERAL APPEARANCE
AKC
The Belgian Malinois is a well balanced,square dog,
elegant in appearance with an exceedingly proud carriage of the head and neck.The dog is
strong, agile, well muscled, alert, and full of life.He stands squarely on all fours and
viewed from the side, the topline, forelegs, and hind legs closely approximate a square.
The whole conformation gives the impression of depth and solidity without bulkiness. The
male is usually somewhat more impressive and grand than his female counterpart, which has
a distinctly feminine look.
UKC
The Belgian Shepherd Dog is an elegant,
well-proportioned, medium-sized, square dog. By his majestic carriage and harmony of
form,the dog of the Belgian Sheepherders gives the impression of elegant robustness.He is
a hardy individual, accustomed to living in the open air and built to resist inclement
weather and the atmospheric changes so frequent in the Belgian climate.His elegance and
expression denote great strength of character, making him a proud representative of the
herding breeds.
FCI
The
Belgian Shepherd is a mediolineal dog, harmoniously proportioned, combining elegance and
power, of medium size, with dry, strong muscle, fitting into a square, rustic, used to the
open air life and built to resist the frequent atmospheric variations of the Belgian
climate.
Through the harmony of its shape and its high head-carriage, the Belgian Shepherd should
give the impression of that elegant strength which has become the heritage of the selected
representatives of a working breed.The Belgian Shepherd is to be judged in its natural
stance, without physical contact with the handler.
SIZE
AKC
Males are 24 to 26 inches in height; females are
22 to 24 inches; measurement to be taken at the withers. Males under 23 inches or over 27
inches and females under 21 inches or over 25 inches are to be disqualified. The length,
measured from the point of the breastbone to the point of the rump, should equal the
height, but bitches may be slightly longer.A square dog is preferred. Bone structure is
moderately heavy in proportion to height so that the dog is well balanced throughout and
neither spindly or leggy nor cumbersome and bulky.
UKC
The desirable size for males is 23" to 26½"
and for females is 21" to 24½".
FCI
Height at withers:
The ideal weight at withers is on average:62 cm for males; 58 cm for females.
Limits: 2 cm less, 4 cm more.
Weight:
Males about 25-30 kg.; Females about 20-25 kg.
Measurements:
Average normal measures for an adult male Belgian Shepherd of 62 cm at the withers:
HEAD
AKC
The head is clean-cut and strong without
heaviness; overall size is in proportion to the body. The expression should
indicate alertness, attention and readiness for activity, and the gaze is intelligent and
questioning. The eyes are brown, preferably dark brown, medium size,
slightly almond shaped, not protruding. Eye rims are black. The ears
approach the shape of an equilateral triangle and are stiff, erect, and in proportion to
the head in size.The outer corner of the ear should not come below the center of the eye.
Ears hanging as on a hound, or semi-prick ears are disqualifications. The top of the skull
is flattened rather than rounded with the width approximately the same as the length but
no wider. The stop is moderate. The muzzle is moderately pointed, avoiding
any tendency to snipiness, and approximately equal in length to the topskull. The planes
of the muzzle and topskull are parallel. The jaws are strong and powerful. The nose is
black without discolored areas.The lips are tight and black with no pink showing on the
outside.The Belgian Malinois has a full complement of strong,white teeth, that are evenly
set and meet in a scissors or level bite.Overshot and undershot bites are a
fault.An undershot bite in which two or more of the upper incisors lose contact with two
or more of the lower incisors is a disqualification. One or more missing teeth is a
serious fault.
UKC
The head is finely chiseled, long without exaggeration,
and lean.The skull and muzzle are approximately the same length with, at most, a very
slight advantage for the muzzle; which gives the whole head a finished impression.
Fault:Too broad or too heavy a head; or a too pointed, foxy head. SKULL -- Medium width in
proportion to the length of the head. The forehead is more flat than round.The occiput is
not accentuated.Seen in profile,the upper line of the skull is parallel to an imaginary
line drawn from the muzzle. MUZZLE -- Of approximately equal length to the length of the
skull, narrowing gradually toward the nose. The upper line of the muzzle is straight; and
seen in profile it is parallel to an imaginary line drawn from the skull. The mouth is
well split. When the mouth is open, the corners are drawn well back and are in line with
the eyes. The muzzle is well-chiseled under the eyes. STOP -- Moderate. Fault: Excessive,
or lack of, stop. NOSE -- Black, with well-opened nostrils. Fault: Lack of external
pigmentation. LIPS -- Thin in texture, well-tightened, strongly pigmented, not allowing
the red of the mucous membranes to show when closed. Fault: Lack of external pigmentation.
CHEEKS -- Clean and flat, although very muscular. EYES -- Medium size, neither prominent
nor deep set. Almond in shape, brown in color, preferably dark. Their look is direct,
lively, intelligent and questioning. The eyelids are edged in black. Fault: Very light or
round eyes. EARS -- High set, triangular, carried well-pricked. The ears are small to
medium and in proportion to the length of the head and the size of the dog. The concavity
of the ear (concha) is well-curved at the base.The base of the ear does not come below an
imaginary line drawn from the corner of the eye.DENTITION -- Jaws are well-developed and
furnished with forty-two strong,white teeth that meet in scissors bite.A level meeting of
the incisors is acceptable.It is the so-called "pincer" bite which was preferred
by the herdsmen. Fault:Absence of premolar(s) or molar(s); the absence of one premolar
(PMI) is not penalized.
FCI
Carried high, long without
exaggeration, rectilinear, well chiselled and dry. Skull and muzzle are roughly equal in
length, with at the most a very slight bias in favour of the muzzle, which puts the
finishing touch to the whole head.
CRANIAL REGION:
Of medium width, in proportion with the length of the head, with a forehead flat rather
than round, frontal groove not very pronounced; in profile, parallel to imaginary line
extending muzzle line; occipital crest little developed; brow ridges and zygomatic arches
not prominent.
Stop: Moderate.
FACIAL REGION:
Nose: Black.
Muzzle: Medium length and well chiselled under the eyes; narrowing gradually toward the nose, like an elongated wedge; bridge of the nose straight and parallel to the continuation of the topline of the forehead; mouth well split, which means that when the mouth is open the commissures of the lips are pulled right back, the jaws being well apart.
Lips: Thin, tight and strongly pigmented.
Jaws/teeth: Strong, white teeth, regularly and strongly set in well-developed jaws. Scissor bite; pincer bite, which is preferred by sheep and livestock herders, is tolerated. Complete dentition according to the dental formula; the absence of two premolars 1 (2 P1) is tolerated and the molars 3 (M3) are not taken into consideration.
Cheeks: dry and quite flat, although muscled.
Eyes: Medium size, neither protruding nor sunken, slightly almond-shaped, obliquely set, brownish colour, preferably dark; black rimmed eyelids; direct, lively, intelligent and enquiring look.
Ears: Rather small, set high, distinctly triangular appearance, well-rounded outer ear, pointed tips, stiff, carried upright and vertical when dog is alert.
NECK / TOPLINE/ BODY
AKC
The neck is round and of
sufficient length to permit the proud carriage of the head. It should taper from the body
to the head.The topline is generally level.The withers are slightly higher
and slope into the back which must be level, straight and firm from withers to hip
joint.The croup is medium long, sloping gradually.The body should give the
impression of power without bulkiness. The chest is not broad but is deep with the lowest
point reaching the elbow. The underline forms a smooth ascendant curve from the lowest
point of the chest to the abdomen.The abdomen is moderately developed,neither tucked up
nor paunchy. The loin section, viewed from above, is relatively short, broad and strong,
and blends smoothly into the back. The tail is strong at the base, the bone
reaching to the hock. In action it is raised with a curve, which is strongest towards the
tip, without forming a hook. A cropped or stumped tail is a disqualification.
UKC
The neck is distinct. The neck is slightly elongated
and muscular, without throatiness, widening gradually towards the shoulders. The nape is
very slightly arched.The body is powerful without heaviness. The length, measured from the
point of the shoulder to the end of the rump (illium), is approximately equal to the
height at the withers. In bitches, the length can go slightly beyond the height of the
withers.BREAST -- Seen from the front, the breast is not too broad, without being
narrow.CHEST -- Not too broad, but in compensation, deep and inclined.The thoracic cage is
encircled by ribs which are arched in the upper part, but flat on the sides.WITHERS --
Accentuated.BACK & LOINS -- The back and lumbar/loin region are straight, broad and
powerfully muscled and short. CROUP -- Very slightly sloped.Broad without exaggeration.
ABDOMEN -- Moderately developed, neither hanging (paunchy) nor tucked up. It prolongs, in
a harmonious curve, the line under the chest.
FCI
NECK: Well standing out, slightly
elongated, rather upright, well-muscled, broadening gradually towards the shoulders,
without dewlap, nape slightly arched.
BODY: Powerful
without being heavy; length from point of shoulder to point of buttock approximately equal
to height at withers.
Topline: upper line of
back and loins is straight.
Withers: Pronounced.
Back: firm, short and
well-muscled.
Loins: Solid, short, sufficiently
broad, well-muscled.
Croup: well-muscled ; only
very slightly sloping ; sufficiently broad but not excessively so.
Chest: little broad, but well let
down; upper part of ribs arched; seen from the front forechest little broad, but without
being narrow.
Underline: Begins below the chest and
rises gently in a harmonious curve towards the belly, which is neither drooping nor tucked
up, but slightly raised and moderately developed.
TAIL:
Well set on, strong at the base, of medium length, reaching at least to hock, but
preferably further; at rest carried down, with tip curved backwards at level of hock; more
raised when moving,although without passing the horizontal,the curve towards the tip
becoming more accentuated, without ever at
any time forming a hook or deviation.
SKIN: Elastic but taut over all
the body; edges of lips and eyelids strongly pigmented.
FOREQUARTERS
AKC
The forequarters are muscular without excessive
bulkiness. The shoulder is long and oblique, laid flat against the body, forming a sharp
angle with the upper arm. The legs are straight, strong, and parallel to each other. The
bone is oval rather than round. Length and substance are well in proportion to the size of
the dog. The pastern is of medium length, strong, and very slightly sloped. Dewclaws may
be removed. The feet are round (cat footed) and well padded with the toes curved close
together. The nails are strong and black except that they may be white to match white toe
tips.
UKC
The Belgian Shepherd Dog has a solid skeletal
structure, lean with strong musculature. SHOULDERS -- The shoulder blades are long and
sloping, securely and flatly attached, forming with the upper arm (humerus) an angle
sufficient to insure the free movement of the elbows.ARMS -- The upper arms lie close to
the body.They move in a direction parallel to the longitudinal (lengthwise) axis of the
body. The dog single tracks as speed increases. FOREARMS -- Long and well-muscled.
PASTERNS (Metacarpal bones) -- Short, strong and slightly sloping.FORE FEET -- Round. The
toes are curved and quite compact. The pads are dense and elastic. The nails are dark and
strong.
FCI
General view: Bone solid but not heavy;
muscle dry and strong; front legs upright from all sides and perfectly parallel when seen
from the front.
Shoulder: Shoulder blade long and
oblique, well attached, forming a sufficient angle with the humerus,ideally measuring
110-115 degrees.
Upper arm: Long and
sufficiently oblique.
Elbow: Firm, neither turning out
nor tied in.
Forearm: Long and straight.
Wrist (carpus): very firm and clean.
Front pastern (metacarpus): Strong and short, as
perpendicular to the ground as possible or only very slightly sloping forward.
Feet: Round, cat
feet; toes arched and well closed; pads thick and springy; nails dark and strong.
HINDQUARTERS
AKC
Angulation of the hindquarters is in balance
with the forequarters; the angle at the hock is relatively sharp, although the Belgian
Malinois should not have extreme angulation.The upper and lower thigh bones should
approximately parallel the shoulder blade and upper arm respectively. The legs are in
proportion to the size of the dog; oval bone rather than round. Legs are parallel to each
other. The thighs should be well muscled. Dewclaws, if any, should be removed.Metatarsi
are of medium length, strong, and slightly sloped. The hind feet may be slightly
elongated, with toes curved close together and well padded. Nails are strong and black
except that they may be white to match white toe tips.
UKC
Powerful without heaviness. The legs are perpendicular
to the ground, moving in the same plane as the forequarters.The dog single tracks as speed
increases. THIGHS -- Broad and well-muscled.STIFLE -- Long, broad, well-muscled and
moderately angulated, without exaggeration. HOCKS -- The hocks should be short, broad and
muscled. Seen from the rear, they will be perfectly parallel (to each other). REAR
PASTERNS (Metatarsal Bones) -- Solid and short. Dewclaws, if present, should be
removed.HIND FEET -- Slightly oval, with the toes curved and very compact. Dense and
elastic pads. The nails are black and strong. TAIL -- The tail is well set and of medium
length, extending to the hocks.When at ease,the dog carries it at the level of the hock,
with the tip slightly curved toward the rear. When in action, the dog raises it higher and
accentuates the curve towards the tip, without at any time forming a hook or a deviation.
(The tail is held without deviating from the center line.) Fault: Tail carried too
high, hooked or carried outside the median line.
FCI
General view: Powerful, but not heavy; in
profile hindlegs are upright and seen from behind perfectly parallel.
Upper thigh: Medium length, broad and
strongly muscled.
Stifle: approximately on the plumb
line from the hip; normal stifle angulation.
Lower thigh: Medium length, broad and
muscled.
Hock: Close to the ground, broad
and muscled, moderate angulation.
Back pastern (metatarsus): Solid and
short; dewclaws not desirable.
Feet: may be light oval; toes
arched and well closed; pads thick and springy; nails dark and strong.
COAT
AKC
The coat should be comparatively short,
straight, hard enough to be weather resistant, with dense undercoat. It should be very
short on the head, ears, and lower legs. The hair is somewhat longer around the neck where
it forms a collarette, and on the tail and backs of the thighs. The coat should conform to
the body without standing out or hanging down.
UKC
The hair should be rich and dense, giving good
protection against wet and cold. The undercoat is very dense, corresponding with climatic
conditions.Since the length,direction and appearance of the hair is different in the dogs
of the Belgian Shepherd Dog breed, this point was adopted as a criterion for
distinguishing the breed's Varieties. In all the Varieties, the hair must always be
abundant, dense and of good texture, forming with the wooly undercoat an excellent
protective covering. Long Hair (Groenendael and Tervueren) -- The hair is short on the
head, the exterior face of the ears, and the lower part of the legs, except on the back of
the forelegs, from the elbows to the pasterns, which are garnished by long hairs called
feathering. The hair is long and straight over the rest of the body and longer and more
abundant around the neck and on the breast, where it forms a collarette and frill. The
opening of the ear is protected by tufted hairs.The hair from the base of the ear is
raised back and frames the head. The thighs are covered with very long and abundant hair,
which forms culottes. The tall is garnished with abundant hair, forming a plume.Faults:
Wavy hair. Lack of sufficient undercoat to form a double coat.Short Hair (Malinois) -- The
hair should be short on the head, the exterior of the ears and the lower parts of the
legs. Short on the rest of the body, thicker on the tail and around the neck, where it
forms a slight collarette beginning at the base of the ear and extending to the throat. In
addition, the hindquarters should be fringed with longer hair. The coat should be thick,
close and of good firm texture with a woolly undercoat. The coat should conform to the
body without standing out or hanging down. The distribution of hair on the tail simulates
an ear of wheat.Fault: Lack of sufficient undercoat to form a double coat. Wavy
hair.Too long hair.Rough Hair (Laekenois) -- The hair is rough and of a harsh state, which
further appears disorderly. The length of the hair is noticeably the same on all parts of
the body. The length is approximately two-and-a-half inches (six centimeters). The hair
around the eyes and the hair garnishing the muzzle is not excessive. The existence of a
hard, rough beard and moustache on the muzzle are mandatory. The tail does not form a
plume. Faults: Silky or soft hair. Lack of sufficient undercoat to form a double
coat.
FCI
Since the coat varies in
length, direction, appearance and colour among Belgian Shepherds, this particular point
has been adopted as the criterion for distinguishing between the four varieties of the
breed: the Groenendael, the Tervueren, the Malinois and the Laekenois.
These four varieties are judged separately and can each be awarded a C.A.C., a C.A.C.A.B.
or a reserve title.
HAIR:
In all the varieties the hair must always be dense, close-fitting and of good texture,with
the woolly undercoat forming an excellent protective covering.
A. LONG HAIR: The hair is short on the
head, the outer side of the ears and the lower part of the legs, except on the rear side
of the forearm which is covered from elbow to wrist by long hairs called fringes. The hair
is long and smooth on the rest of the body and longer and more abundant around the neck
and on the forechest, where it forms a collarette or ruff and a jabot or apron. The
opening of the air is protected by thick tufts of hair. From the base of the air the hair
is upright and frames the head. The back of the thighs is covered with very long abundant
hair forming the culottes or breeches.The tail is furnished with long, abundant hair
forming a plume.
The Groenendael and the Tervueren are the long-haired.
B. SHORT HAIR: The hair is
very short on the head, the outer sides of the ears and the lower part of the legs. It is
short over the rest of the body and fuller at the tail and around the neck, where it forms
a collarette or ruff which begins at the base of the ear, stretching as far as the throat.
As well, the back of the thighs is fringed with longer hair. The tail is ear of corn
shaped, but does not form a plume.
The Malinois is the short-haired.
C. ROUGH HAIR: What
especially characterises the rough hair variety is the roughness and dryness of the hair,
which, moreover, is rasping and tousled. About 6 cm long over the whole body, the hair is
shorter on the top of the muzzle, the forehead and the legs. The hair around the eyes and
those furnishing the muzzle should not be so long as to disguise the shape of the head.
However, it is essential to have furnishings on the muzzle. The tail should not form a
plume.
The Laekenois is the rough-haired.
COLORS
AKC
The basic coloring is a rich fawn to mahogany,
with black tips on the hairs giving an overlay appearance. The mask and ears are black.
The underparts of the body, tail and breeches are lighter fawn, but washed-out fawn color
on the body is a fault. Color should be considered a finishing point, not to take
precedence over structure or temperament. The tips of the toes may be white, and a small
white spot on the breastbone/prosternum is permitted, not to extend to the neck. White
markings, except as noted, are faulted.
UKC
Groenendael -- The Groenendael is the long-haired
black. The Groenendael may be all black, or may be black with a small to moderate white
patch on the chest, and the tips of the toes may be white. White or gray frosting on the
muzzle is acceptable. Fault: Dominant red tinge.Tervueren -- The Tervueren is the
charcoaled, "long-haired, other than black" with dark mask. A small to moderate
white patch is permitted on the chest, and the tips of the toes may be white. White or
gray frosting on the muzzle is acceptable. Body -- Fawn and Sable (all the gamut of colors
through beige to gray), with charcoaling. The coat is characteristically double pigmented,
wherein the tip of each hair is blackened. On mature males this darkening is especially
pronounced on the shoulders, back and rib section. The underparts of the body, tail and
coulottes are cream, gray or light beige. The coat characteristically becomes darker with
increasing age. Allowance should be made for females and young males.The tail typically
has a darker tip.Faults:Lack of charcoaling at maturity.Excessive charcoaling,
tending to a black saddle, black in patches. Face -- The face has a black mask. The
preferred mask is well pronounced, stretching to unite the upper and lower lips, the
corners of the mouth, and the eyelids, in a single dark zone. The ears are mostly dark. An
open mask or mostly black head is acceptable. Faults: Minimal mask. Malinois -- The
Malinois is the short-haired,charcoal, other than black, with a dark mask.The small to
moderate white patch is permitted on the chest, and the tips of the toes may be white.
White or gray frosting on the muzzle is acceptable.Body -- Fawn and Sable (all the gamut
of colors through beige to gray), with charcoaling. The coat is characteristically double
pigmented, wherein the tip of each hair is blackened.On mature males this darkening is
especially pronounced on the shoulders, back and rib section. The underparts of the body,
tail and coulottes are cream gray or light beige. The coat characteristically becomes
darker with increasing age. Allowance should be made for female and young males.The tail
typically has darker tip. Faults: Lack of charcoaling at maturity. Excessive
charcoaling tending to a black saddle, black in patches. Face -- The face has a black
mask. The preferred mask is well pronounced, stretching to unite the upper and lower lips,
the corners of the mouth, and the eyelids in a single dark zone. The ears are mostly dark.
An open mask or mostly black head is acceptable. Faults: Minimal mask. Laekenois --
The Laekenois is the rough-haired other than black, with traces of charcoaling,
principally on the muzzle and tail.A small to moderate white patch is permitted on the
chest, and the tips of the toes may be white.White or gray frosting on the muzzle is
acceptable.Body -- Fawn and Sable (all the gamut of colors through beige to gray), with
charcoaling. The coat is characteristically double pigmented, wherein the tip of each hair
is blackened. On mature males, this blackening is especially pronounced on the
shoulders,back and rib section. The underparts of the body, tail and coulottes are cream,
gray or light beige. The coat characteristically becomes darker with increasing age.
Allowance should be made for females and young males. The tail typically has a darker tip.
Disqualification (all varieties): Albinism.
FCI
Mask: For Tervueren and Malinois
the mask must be very pronounced and tend to encompass the top and bottom lip,the corners
of the lips and the eyelids in one single black zone. A strict minimum of six points of
skin pigmentation is called for: the two ears, the two upper eyelids and the two lips,
upper and two lower, which must be black.
Black overlay: In Tervueren
and Malinois, the black overlay means that the hairs have a black tip which shades the
base colour. This blackening is in any case “flamed” and must not be present in
great patches nor in real stripes (brindled). In the Laekenois the black shading is more
discreetly expressed.
Groenendael: Only uniform
black.
Tervueren: Only fawn with
black overlay or grey with black overlay, with black mask; however, the fawn with black
overlay is still preferred. The fawn must be rich, neither light nor washed-out. Any dog
whose coat colour is anything but fawn with black overlay or does not match the desired
intensity of colour cannot be considered an elite specimen.
Malinois: Only fawn with
black overlay and with black mask.
Laekenois: Only fawn with
traces of black overlay, mainly on the muzzle and the tail.
For all varieties: a small amount of white is tolerated on forechest and
toes.
GAIT
AKC
The movement is smooth, free and easy, seemingly
never tiring, exhibiting facility of movement rather than a hard driving action. The
Belgian Malinois single tracks at a fast gait, the legs, both front and rear, converging
toward the center line of gravity, while the topline remains firm and level, parallel to
the line of motion with no crabbing.The breed shows a marked tendency to move in a circle
rather than a straight line.
UKC
The gait is ground-covering, effortless and seemingly
tireless. The Belgian Shepherd Dog is usually in motion and is capable of working
livestock all day. Because he was developed as a herding dog, and because of his exuberant
temperament, he tends to move in circles around his owner rather than in a straight line.
FCI
Lively and
free movement at all gaits; the Belgian Shepherd is a good galloper, but its normal gaits
are the walk and especially the trot; limbs move parallel to the median plane of the
body.At high speed the feet come nearer to the median plane; at the trot the reach is
medium, the movement even and easy, with good rear drive, and the topline remains tight
while the front legs are not lifted too high. Always on the move, the Belgian Shepherd
seems tireless;its gait is fast,springy and lively. It is capable of suddenly changing
direction at full speed.Due to its exuberant character and its desire to guard and
protect, it has a definite tendency to move in circles.
CHARACTERISTICS
AKC
Correct temperament is essential to the working
character of the Belgian Malinois.The breed is confident,exhibiting neither shyness nor
aggressiveness in new situations. The dog may be reserved with strangers but is
affectionate with his own people.He is naturally protective of his owner's person and
property without being overly aggressive.The Belgian Malinois possesses a strong desire to
work and is quick and responsive to commands from his owner. Faulty temperament is
strongly penalized.
UKC
The Belgian Shepherd Dog was developed in Belgium as a
herding dog to work sheep. He is enthusiastic and remarkably quick. He shows a natural
tendency to be in motion. The Belgian was developed for endurance. He must be able to move
and tend the flock all day and to guard it from all invaders. In addition to his inborn
ability as guardian of the flocks,he is an exceptional watchdog and a tenacious and brave
defender of his master and family. He is vigilant, and highly responsive to his owner's
direction. He is alert, intelligent and inquisitive. While he is firmly loyal to those he
knows and loves, he typically exhibits reserve with strangers.
FCI
The Belgian Shepherd is a watchful and active dog, bursting with energy, and always ready to leap into action.As well as
its innate skill at guarding flocks, it also possesses the highly prized qualities of the
best guard dog of property. Without any hesitation it is the stubborn and keen protector
of its owner. It brings together all those qualities necessary for a shepherd, guard,
defence and service dog.
Its lively, alert temperament and its confident nature, showing no fear or aggressiveness,
should be obvious in its body stance and the proud attentive expression in its sparkling
eyes.
When judging this breed, one should take into consideration its calm and fearless
temperament.
FAULTS
AKC
The degree to which a dog is penalized should
depend upon the extent to which the dog deviates from the standard and the extent to which
the particular fault would actually affect the working ability of the dog.
UKC
Bitch type of dog; dog type of bitch.The Belgian
Shepherd Dog is a herding dog, and faults that affect his ability to work livestock in all
types of climatic changes should be particularly penalized.
FCI
Any departure
from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the
fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.
General appearance: Cloddy,
lacking elegance; too light or too slender; longer than high; fitting into a rectangle.
Head: heavy, too
strong, lacking parallelism,not sufficiently chiselled or dry; forehead too rounded; stop
too accentuated or too flat; muzzle too short or pinched; Roman nose; brow ridges or
zygomatic arches too prominent.
Nose, lips and eyelids: traces of
depigmentation.
Dentition: badly aligned
incisors.Serious fault: lack of one incisor (1 I), one premolar 2 (1 P2), one premolar 3
(1 P3) or three premolars 1 (3 P3).
Eyes: light, round.
Ears: large, long, too broad at
the base, set low, carried outward or inward.
Neck: slender; short
or deep set.
Body: too long;
thoracic cage too broad (cylindrical).
Withers: flat, low.
Topline: back and/or
loins long, weak, sagging or arched.
Croup: too sloping,
overbuilt.
Underline: too much or
too little let down; too much belly.
Tail: set too low;
carried too high, forming a hook, deviated.
Limbs: bone too light
or too heavy; bad upright stance in profile (e.g. front pasterns too sloping or weak
wrists), from the front (feet turning in or out, out at elbow, etc.), or from behind
(hindlegs too close, too wide apart or barrel shaped, hocks close or open, etc.); too
little or exaggeratedly angulated.
Feet: spreading.
Gait: moving close,
too short a stride, too little drive, poor back transmission, high stepping action.
Coat: all four
varieties: insufficient undercoat.
Groenendael and
Tervueren: woolly, wavy, curly hair;
hair not long enough.
Malinois: hair half-long where it
should be short; smooth-haired; harsh hairs scattered in the short coat; wavy coat.
Laekenois: hair too long,
silky, wavy, crisp-haired or short; filled with fine hairs scattered in tufts in the rough
hair; hairs too long around the eye or the lower end of the head (the chin); bushy tail.
Colour: for all four
varieties: white marking on chest forming tie; white on the feet going beyond toes.
Groenendael: reddish tinges
in the coat; grey breeches.
Tervueren: grey.
Tervuren and Malinois: brindle; tints
not warm enough; not enough or too much black overlay or set in patches over the body; not enough mask.
Tervueren, Malinois and Laekenois: too light a
fawn; a base colour which is very diluted,named washed-out,is considered a serious fault.
Temperament: specimens
lacking in self-confidence or overly nervous.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
AKC
Males under 23 inches or over 27 inches and
females under 21 inches or over 25 inches. Ears hanging as on a hound, or semi-prick
ears.An undershot bite in which two or more of the upper incisors lose contact with two or
more of the lower incisors. A cropped or stumped tail.
UKC
Bilateral or unilateral cryptorchid. Extreme
viciousness or shyness. Undershot or overshot bite such that contact with two incisors is
lost. (Note: loss of contact caused by short center incisors shall not be judged as
undershot in an otherwise correct bite.) Drooping or hanging ears. Solid white markings
elsewhere than on tips of toes, chest, or frosting on muzzle. Albinism. Absence of or
docked tail. Males under 23" or over 26½". Females under 21" or over
24½". In Tervueren and Malinois, the absence of black on one or more of the following
points - ear bases, eyebrows, sides of muzzle and underjaw.
FCI
Temperament: aggressive or
timid specimens.
General appearance: lack of breed type.
Dentition: overshot;
undershot, even if contact is not lost (reverse scissor bite); crossbite; absence of one
canine (1 C), one upper carnassial (1 P4) or lower carnassial (1 M1), one molar (1 M1
-upper jaw- or 1 M2; M3 are not taken into consideration), one premolar 3 (1 P3) plus one
other tooth or a total of three teeth (excluding the premolars 1) or more.
Nose, lips, eyelids: strong depigmentation.
Ears: drooping or
artificially kept erect.
Tail: missing or
shortened, at birth or by docking; carried too high and ringed or curled.
Coat: lack of
undercoat.
Colour: any colours
which do not correspond with those of the described varieties; too widespread white
markings on forechest, especially if they reach as far as the neck; white on feet going
more than halfway up the front or the back pasterns and forming socks; white markings
anywhere other than forechest and toes; lack of mask,including a muzzle of lighter colour
than the rest of the coat in Tervueren and Malinois.
Size: outside the
limits laid down.
N.B.: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully
descended into the scrotum