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. 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.
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.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
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.
Approved July 10, 1990
Effective August 29, 1990
Back
