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Belgian
malinois
AKC breed
standard
Belgian Malinois Breed Standard
Herding Group
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
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