Belgian Malinois (Breed Standard Template)

Breed:

Belgian Malinois

General Appearance

("well-balanced square dog" + "elegant in appearance" + "proud carriage of head and neck" + "strong, agile, well-muscled" + "alert and full of life" + "hardy, withstands Belgian climate" + "stands squarely on all fours" + "depth and solidity without bulkiness" + "elegance and expression denote strength of character" + "heritage as herding breed" + "male should be masculine" + "female should be distinctly feminine" + "both sexes judged equally")

Size, Proportion, Substance

("males 24–26 inches at withers" + "females 22–24 inches at withers" + "males under 23 or over 27 disqualified" + "females under 21 or over 25 disqualified" + "length from breastbone to rump equals height" + "bone moderate in proportion to height" + "balanced throughout body" + "not spindly or leggy" + "not cumbersome or bulky" + "silhouette approximates a square when viewed in profile")

Head

("head carried high" + "long without exaggeration" + "rectilinear, well-chiseled, dry" + "eyes medium, slightly almond, oblique set" + "eyes brown, dark brown preferred" + "light eyes fault" + "eyelids black-rimmed" + "ears small, triangular, well-cupped" + "ears pointed, stiff, upright" + "hound or semi-prick ears disqualification" + "skull and muzzle equal length or slightly favor muzzle" + "skull medium width, forehead flat" + "head planes parallel in profile" + "occipital crest, brow ridges, arches not prominent" + "stop moderate" + "nose black" + "muzzle medium, wedge-shaped" + "well-chiseled under eyes" + "mouth well split, lips pulled back when open" + "lips thin, tight, strongly pigmented black" + "full complement of strong white teeth" + "scissors or level bite acceptable" + "overshot or undershot bite fault" + "undershot with 2+ incisors not touching disqualification" + "complete dentition preferred" + "missing teeth faulted")

Neck, Topline, Body

("neck slightly elongated, well-muscled" + "broadens gradually to shoulders" + "without dewlap" + "slightly arched, proud carriage of head" + "withers pronounced" + "back firm" + "loin solid, short, well-muscled" + "croup very slightly sloped" + "underline rises gently in harmonious curve" + "abdomen neither tucked-up nor paunchy" + "chest neither broad nor narrow" + "chest well let down, lowest point to elbow" + "body powerful without bulk" + "tail strong at base" + "tail reaches hock" + "tail carried down at rest" + "tail curved and raised when moving" + "tail not passing horizontal" + "tail not forming hook or deviation" + "cropped or stumped tail disqualification")

Forequarters

("muscular without excessive bulk" + "shoulder blades long, sloping, flat" + "shoulder forms sufficient angle with upper arm" + "movement free and efficient" + "legs straight, strong, parallel" + "bone solid, more oval than round" + "muscle dry and strong" + "pastern short, strong, slightly sloped" + "dewclaws may be removed" + "feet cat-like" + "pads thick and well-padded" + "toes curved close together" + "nails strong, black" + "nails may be white to match white toes")

Hindquarters

("powerful without heaviness" + "angulation balanced with forequarters" + "upper thigh parallels shoulder blade" + "lower thigh parallels upper arm" + "legs parallel to each other" + "thighs well muscled" + "hocks short, strong, parallel" + "hocks moderately angulated" + "metatarsi strong and short" + "dewclaws may be removed" + "hind feet slightly oval" + "toes arched and compact" + "pads thick and well-padded" + "nails dark and strong" + "nails may be white to match toes")

Coat

("comparatively short" + "straight, hard, weather resistant" + "dense undercoat" + "very short on head, ears, lower legs" + "somewhat longer on neck (collarette)" + "longer on tail and backs of thighs" + "coat conforms to body" + "not standing out or hanging down" + "lack of undercoat fault" + "too long hair fault" + "silky hair fault" + "wiry hair fault" + "natural breed" + "no need for excessive grooming")

Color

("rich fawn to mahogany" + "black tips give overlay" + "overlay not patched" + "overlay not brindled" + "underparts lighter fawn" + "tail and breeches lighter fawn" + "washed-out fawn fault" + "mask pronounced, covers lips and eyelids" + "mask one single black zone" + "mask and ears black" + "tips of toes may be white" + "small white spot on breastbone allowed" + "spot not to extend to neck" + "white markings otherwise faulted" + "any other color or combination disqualified")

Gait

("movement smooth, free, easy" + "seemingly never tiring" + "facility of movement emphasized" + "not hard driving action" + "single tracks at fast gait" + "legs converge toward center line" + "topline firm and level" + "parallel to line of motion" + "no crabbing" + "marked tendency to move in circle" + "rather than straight line")

Temperament

("correct temperament essential" + "alert, intelligent, inquisitive, confident" + "shows neither fear nor aggression" + "energetic, ready for action" + "highly responsive to owner direction" + "lively character evident in proud carriage" + "sparkling attentive eyes" + "exceptional watchdog" + "vigilant yet responsive" + "balanced as stock dog, protector, working partner" + "firm loyalty to family" + "may be indifferent to strangers" + "fear displays penalized" + "aggression displays penalized")

Faults

("degree of penalty depends on deviation from standard (AKC)" + "fault severity proportional to effect on working ability (AKC)" + "any departure from standard considered a fault (FCI)" + "seriousness proportional to degree (FCI)" + "general appearance cloddy, lacking elegance" + "general appearance too light or slender" + "general appearance longer than high" + "general appearance rectangular shape" + "head heavy or too strong" + "head lacking parallelism" + "head not chiselled or dry" + "forehead too rounded" + "stop too accentuated or too flat" + "muzzle too short or pinched" + "Roman nose" + "brow ridges or arches too prominent" + "nose, lips, eyelids depigmented" + "dentition badly aligned incisors" + "serious: missing 1 incisor" + "serious: missing 1 P2" + "serious: missing 1 P3" + "serious: missing 3 P1" + "eyes light, round" + "ears large or long" + "ears broad at base" + "ears set low" + "ears carried outward or inward" + "neck slender, short, or deep set" + "body too long" + "thoracic cage too broad (cylindrical)" + "withers flat or low" + "topline long, weak, sagging, or arched" + "croup too sloping or overbuilt" + "underline too much or too little let down" + "underline too much belly" + "tail set too low" + "tail carried too high" + "tail forming hook or deviated" + "limbs bone too light or too heavy" + "limbs poor stance in profile" + "front pasterns too sloping" + "weak wrists" + "feet turning in or out" + "elbows out" + "hindlegs too close or too wide" + "hindlegs barrel-shaped" + "hocks close or open" + "feet spreading" + "gait moving close" + "gait too short a stride" + "gait too little drive" + "poor back transmission" + "high-stepping action" + "coat insufficient undercoat" + "Groenendael/Tervueren woolly, wavy, curly hair" + "Groenendael/Tervueren coat not long enough" + "Malinois half-long hair where short" + "Malinois smooth-haired" + "Malinois harsh hairs scattered" + "Malinois wavy coat" + "Laekenois hair too long, silky, wavy, crisp" + "Laekenois fine hairs scattered in tufts" + "Laekenois hair too long around eyes" + "Laekenois long hair on chin" + "Laekenois bushy tail" + "all varieties: white tie marking on chest" + "all varieties: white on feet beyond toes" + "Groenendael reddish tinges" + "Groenendael grey breeches" + "Tervueren grey coat" + "Tervueren/Malinois brindle" + "Tervueren/Malinois not warm enough tint" + "Tervueren/Malinois too much black overlay" + "Tervueren/Malinois black in patches" + "Tervueren/Malinois not enough mask" + "Tervueren/Malinois/Laekenois too light fawn" + "Tervueren/Malinois/Laekenois washed-out fawn serious fault" + "temperament lacking self-confidence" + "temperament overly nervous")

Disqualifications

("AKC: males under 23 or over 27 inches" + "AKC: females under 21 or over 25 inches" + "AKC: ears hanging as on a hound" + "AKC: semi-prick ears" + "AKC: undershot bite with 2+ incisors losing contact" + "AKC: cropped or stumped tail" + "FCI: temperament aggressive specimens" + "FCI: temperament timid specimens" + "FCI: lack of breed type" + "FCI: overshot bite" + "FCI: undershot bite even if contact not lost" + "FCI: reverse scissor bite" + "FCI: crossbite" + "FCI: missing 1 canine" + "FCI: missing 1 upper P4" + "FCI: missing 1 lower M1" + "FCI: missing 1 upper M1" + "FCI: missing 1 M2 (M3 not considered)" + "FCI: missing 1 P3 plus one other tooth" + "FCI: missing total of 3 or more teeth (excluding P1)" + "FCI: strong depigmentation of nose, lips, eyelids" + "FCI: ears drooping" + "FCI: ears artificially kept erect" + "FCI: tail missing at birth or docked" + "FCI: tail shortened artificially" + "FCI: tail carried too high, ringed, or curled" + "FCI: coat lacking undercoat" + "FCI: colors not matching described varieties" + "FCI: too much white on forechest reaching neck" + "FCI: white on feet halfway up pasterns forming socks" + "FCI: white anywhere other than chest and toes" + "FCI: lack of mask" + "FCI: muzzle lighter than coat in Tervueren/Malinois" + "FCI: size outside limits" + "FCI: males must have 2 testicles fully descended")