AKC Belgian Malinois Standard
The following is the current (approved 1990) American Kennel Club (AKC)
standard for the Belgian Malinois. Elaboration of each point by the American
Belgian Malinois Club (ABMC) can be found under "comment." A video which fully
illustrates the standard can be obtained from the AKC by calling:
1-919-233-9780 or writing to them at 5580 Centerview Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606.
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. Comment
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. Comment
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 stuff, 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. Comment
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 snippiness, and approximately
equal in length to that of the topskull. The planes of the muzzle and topskull are
parallel.Comment
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.
Comment
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. Comment
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. Comment
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. Comment
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 together and well padded. Nails are strong
and black, except to match white toe tips. Comment
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. Comment
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. Comment
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 market tendency to move in a circle
rather than a straight line. Comment
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. Comment
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
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
