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Belgian Shepherd Dogs

Four varieties

The standard of the Laekenois is the same as the standard of the Groenendael with the exception of the following, Coat and Colour.

Groenendael

Groenendael

This a breed which comes in four varieties. As far as the physical characteristics are concerned the breed standards are identical, with only one area of difference. This relates to the coat in respect of colour, tecture and length. In alphabetical order the varieties are the Groenenfael, the Laekenois, the Malinois and the Tervueren. The names refer to their geographic areas of origin within Begium and, no doubt, as the four continue to be treated as separate breeds, breeders will select for other fairly minor features and the breeds may come to the show more obvious differences than those simply involved with coat. It is not appropriate to detail the existing differences as these are covered in the coat and colour clauses, but the Groenendeal is fundamentally long haired and with a black harsh - textured coat; the Laekenois, as yet the rarest variety in the UK, has a pretty short, wiry type of coat which is reddish-fawn; the Malinois is possesed of a shortish firm - textured coat which may be red, faw or grey with a black overlay; while the Tervueren, now the most rapidly increasing of the four, has the name range of colouring as the Malinois, but the outer coatis long, straght and abundant. The breeds are described as both sheeps dogs and guards. They are essentially graceful without being too refined. They give the appearence of being purposeful creatures, and their somewhat laconic gait clause brisk, free and even , while being very economic, in words, does not give the full flavour of an unique mode of progression which is one of effciency above all, with a high style. it is always a debatable point whether we should take what is in truth a working breed and try to turn it into a family companion pet, but it has been done in many breeds in the past, especially the recent past, and doubtless it will bre done in respect of the Belgian Shepherd. Provided owners do not lose sight of the fact that these are active animals requiring adequate exercise, both physical and mental, little harm will be done. But, as in many other working breeds, we must never lose sight of their history of service, or we shall find ourselves with dogs whose basic temperaments have been changed for the worse and out of all recognition.

Groenendael

General Appearance ** Medium - size dog, well proportioned, intelligent, attentive, hardy and alert.

Characteristics ** With fine proportions and proud carriage of head, conveying an impression of graceful strength. Not only a sheep dog, but a guard dog.

Temperament ** Wary, neither timid, nervous nor aggressive.

Head and Skull ** Head finely chiselled, long but not excessively so. Skull and muzzle roughly equal in length, with at most slight bias in favour of nuzzle,giving impression od a balanced whole.Skull of medium width in proportion to lrngth of head, forehead flat, centreline not very pronounced; in profile, parallel to imaginary line extending, muzzle line. Muzzle of medium length tapering gradually to nose. Nose black, well flared nostrils. Moderate stop. Arches above eyes not prominent, muzzle finely chiselled under eyes. Cheeks spare, quite flat but well muscled.

Eyes ** Medium size, neither protruding nor sunken, slightly almond-shaped, preferably dark brown; black-rimmed eyelids. Girect, lively and enquiring look.

Ears ** Distinctly triangular appearance, stiff and erect, set high, moderte length with external ear well rounded at base.

Mouth ** Wide, lips thin-textured, very firm, stronly pigmented. Strong white teeth firmly set in well developed jaws. Scissor bite,i.e. upper teeth closly overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Pincer bite tolerated.

Neck ** Very supple. Neck slightly elongated, well muscled and without dewlap, broadening slightly towards shoulders. Nape very slightly arched.

ForeQuarters ** Withers distinct, strongly boned throughout with wiry, powerful muscle structure, Shoulders blades long and oblique, firmly attached, flat, forming such angle with humerus as to enable elbows to work easily. Forelegs long, well muscled, parallel. Pasterns strong and short. Carpus clearly defined. Dewclows permissible.

Body ** Body powerful but elegant. In males, length from point of shoulder to point of buttocks approximately equal to height at withers. In females slightly longer. Chest deep and well let down. Ribs moderately well sprung. Upper line of body straight, broad and powerfully muscled. Belly moderately developed neither drooping nor unduly cut up continuing lower line of chest in a graceful curve.Rump very slightly sloping, broad but not excessively so. Skin springy but quite taut over whole body. All external nucous membranes highly pigmented.

HindQuarters ** Well muscled and powerful. Good but not excessive angulation; hocks well let down. Viewed from behind, legs parallel. Dewclaws to be removed.

Feet ** Toes arched, very close together; soles thick and spriny with large dark claws. Forefeet round. Hindfeet slightly oval.

Tail ** Tail firmly set, strong at base, of medium length. When at rest, hangs down, with tip slightly bent backwards at level of hock: when moving it should lift accentuating curve towards tip, never curled, nor bent to one side.Tip may be carried slightly higher than topline.

Gait & Movement ** Brisk, free and even.

Coat ** Outer coat long, straight and abundant. Texture of medium harshness. Not silky or wiry. Undercoat extremely dense. Hair shorter on head, outside of ears and lower part of legs. Opening of ear protected by hair. Hair especially long and abundant, ruff-like around neck, particularly in males. Fringe of long hair down back of forelegs, long and abundant hair evident on hindquarters and tail. Males longer coated than females.

Colour ** Black or black with limited white as follows: small to moderate patch or strip on chest, between pads of feet and on tips of hind toes. Frosting white or grey on muzzle.

Size ** Ideal height : dogs : 61-66 cms ( 24-26 ins); and bitches: 56-61 cms 22-24 ins. Weight, in proportion to size.

Faults ** 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.

Note ** Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.