Breed: Belgian
Malinois
The Belgian Malinois was bred around the city of Malines,
Belgium from whence the name is derived. The Belgian
Malinois is one of four types of Belgian sheepherding dogs
registered in Belgium and France as the Chien de Berger
Belge. The other varieties are the Tervuren (longhaired
fawn), Groenendael (longhaired black) and Laekenois
(wirehaired).
The Belgian Malinois is proud, agile, strong, and full of
life. They have short coat which is straight. The coat is
easy to care for, but should be groomed regularly to keep
healthy. The Malinois is a very confident dog and
naturally possessive of his owner, but is not an
aggressive dog.
Breed Standard
General Appearance
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.
Size, Proportion, Substance
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.
Head
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.
Neck, Topline, Body
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. Thebody 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.
Forequarters
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.
Hindquarters
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.
Coat
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.
Color
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.
Gait
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.
Temperament
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.
Faults
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.
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