Faults
Any deviation from these specifications is a fault. In determining
whether a fault is minor, serious, or major, these two factors should be
used as a guide: 1. The extent to which it deviates from the standard.
2. The extent to which such deviation would actually affect the working
ability of the dog.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Males should be 24-26 inches in height and females 22-24 inches,
measured at the withers.
Males under 22½ or over 27½ inches in height and females under 20½ or
over 25½ inches in height shall be disqualified.
The length, measured from point of breastbone to point of rump, should
equal the height. Bitches may be slightly longer. Bone structure should
be moderately heavy in proportion to his height so that he is well
balanced throughout and neither spindly or leggy nor cumbersome and
bulky. The Belgian Sheepdog should stand squarely on all fours. Side
view - The topline, front legs, and back legs should closely approximate
a square.
Head
Clean-cut and strong, overall size should be in proportion to the body.
Expression indicates alertness, attention, readiness for
activity. Gaze should be intelligent and questioning.
Eyes
brown, preferably dark brown. Medium size, slightly almond shaped, not
protruding.
Ears triangular in shape, stiff, erect, and in
proportion to the head in size. Base of the ear should not come below
the center of the eye. Ears hanging (as on a hound) shall disqualify.
Skull
Top flattened rather than rounded. The width approximately the same, but
not wider than the length.
Stop moderate.
Muzzle
moderately pointed, avoiding any tendency to snipiness, and
approximately equal in length to that of the topskull. The jaws should
be strong and powerful.
Nose black without spots or
discolored areas. The lips should be tight and black, with no pink
showing on the outside.
Teeth - A full complement of
strong, white teeth, evenly set. Should not be overshot or undershot.
Should have either an even bite or a scissors bite.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck round and rather outstretched, tapered from head to
body, well muscled, with tight skin.
Topline--The withers
are slightly higher and slope into the back, which must be level,
straight, and firm from withers to hip joints.
Chest not
broad, but deep. The lowest point should reach the elbow, forming a
smooth ascendant curve to the abdomen.
Abdomen--Moderate
development. Neither tucked up nor paunchy. The
loin section,
viewed from above, is relatively short, broad and strong, but blending
smoothly into the back. The
croup is medium long, sloping
gradually.
Tail strong at the base, bone to reach hock. At
rest the dog holds it low, the tip bent back level with the hock. When
in action he raises it and gives it a curl, which is strongest toward
the tip, without forming a hook. Cropped or stump tail shall disqualify.
Forequarters
Shoulder long and oblique, laid flat against the body,
forming a sharp angle (approximately 90 degrees) with the upper arm.
Legs straight, strong and parallel to each other. Bone oval
rather than round. Development (length and substance) should be well
proportioned to the size of the dog. Pastern medium length, strong, and
very slightly sloped.
Feet round (cat footed), toes curved
close together, well padded. Nails strong and black, except that they
may be white to match white toe tips.
Hindquarters
Legs--Length and substance well proportioned to the size
of the dog. Bone oval rather than round. Legs are parallel to each
other.
Thighs broad and heavily muscled. The upper and
lower thigh bones approximately parallel the shoulder blade and upper
arm respectively, forming a relatively sharp angle at stifle joint. The
angle at the hock is relatively sharp, although the Belgian Sheepdog
does not have extreme angulation. Metatarsus medium length, strong and
slightly sloped. Dewclaws, if any, should be removed.
Feet
slightly elongated. Toes curved close together, well padded. Nails
strong and black, except that they may be white to match white toe tips.
Coat
The guard hairs of the coat must be long, well fitting, straight and
abundant. They should not be silky or wiry. The texture should be a
medium harshness. The undercoat should be extremely dense, commensurate,
however, with climatic conditions. The Belgian Sheepdog is particularly
adaptable to extremes of temperature or climate. The hair is shorter on
the head, outside of the ears, and lower part of the legs. The opening
of the ear is protected by tufts of hair.
Ornamentation-- Especially long and abundant hair, like a
collarette, around the neck; fringe of long hair down the back of the
forearm; especially long and abundant hair trimming the hindquarters,
the breeches; long, heavy and abundant hair on the tail.
Color
Black. May be completely black, or may be black with white, limited as
follows: Small to moderate patch or strip on forechest. Between pads of
feet. On
tips of hind toes. On chin and muzzle (frost may be
white or gray). On
tips of front toes--allowable, but a fault.
Disqualification
Any color other than black, ex-cept for white in specified areas.
Reddening due to climatic conditions in an otherwise correct coat should
not be grounds for disqualification.
Gait
Motion should be smooth, free and easy, seemingly never tiring,
exhibiting facility of movement rather than a hard driving action. He
tends to single track on a fast gait; the legs, both front and rear,
converging toward the center line of gravity of the dog. The backline
should remain firm and level, parallel to the line of motion, with no
crabbing. He shows a marked tendency to move in a circle rather than a
straight line.
Temperament
The Belgian Sheepdog should reflect the qualities of intelligence,
courage, alertness and devotion to master. To his inherent aptitude as a
guardian of flocks should be added protectiveness of the person and
property of his master. He should be watchful, attentive, and always in
motion when not under command. In his relationship with humans, he
should be observant and vigilant with strangers, but not apprehensive.
He should not show fear or shyness. He should not show viciousness by
unwarranted or unprovoked attack. With those he knows well, he is most
affectionate and friendly, zealous of their attention, and very
possessive. Viciousness is a disqualification.
Disqualifications
Males under 22½ or over 27½ inches in height and females under 20½ or
over 25½ inches in height.
Ears hanging (as on a hound).
Cropped or stump tail.
Any color other than black.
Viciousness.
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