Size, Proportion, Substance
The ideal male is 24 to 26 inches in height and female 22 to 24 inches
in height measured at the withers. Dogs are to be penalized in
accordance to the degree they deviate from the ideal. Males under 23
inches or over 26½ inches or females under 21 inches or over 24½ inches
are to be disqualified. The body is square; the length measured from the
point of shoulder to the point of the rump approximates the height.
Females may be somewhat longer in body. Bone structure is medium in
proportion to height, so that he is well-balanced
throughout
and neither spindly or leggy nor cumbersome and bulky.
Head
Well-chiseled, skin taut, long without exaggeration.
Expression intelligent and questioning, indicating
alertness, attention and readiness for action. Eyes
dark brown, medium-size, slightly almond shape, not protruding.
Light, yellow or round eyes are a fault. Ears
triangular in shape, well-cupped, stiff, erect; height
equal to width at base. Set high, the base of the ear does not come
below the center of the eye. Hanging ears, as on a hound, are a
disqualification. Skull and muzzle measuring
from the stop are of equal length. Overall size is in proportion
to the body, top of skull flattened rather than rounded, the width
approximately the same as, but not wider than the length.
Stop moderate. The topline of the muzzle is parallel to
the topline of the skull when viewed from the side. Muzzle moderately
pointed, avoiding any tendency toward snipiness or cheekiness.
Jaws strong and powerful. Nose
black without spots or discolored areas. Nostrils
well defined. Lips tight and black, no pink
showing on the outside when mouth is closed. Teeth
Full complement of strong white teeth, evenly set, meeting in
a scissors or a level bite. Overshot and undershot teeth are a fault. An
undershot bite such that there is a complete loss of contact by all the
incisors is a disqualification. Broken or discolored
teeth should not be penalized. Missing teeth are a
fault. Four or more missing teeth are a serious fault.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck round, muscular, rather long and elegant,
slightly arched and tapered from head to body. Skin well-fitting with no
loose folds. Withers accentuated. Topline
level, straight and firm from withers to croup. Croup
medium long, sloping gradually to the base of the tail. Chest
not broad without being narrow, but deep; the lowest point of the
brisket reaching the elbow, forming a smooth ascendant curve to the
abdomen. Abdomen moderately developed,
neither tucked up nor paunchy. Ribs well-sprung but flat on the sides.
Loin section viewed from above is relatively short, broad and
strong, but blending smoothly into the back. Tail
strong at the base, the last vertebra to reach at least to the
hock. At rest the dog holds it low, the tip bent back level with the
hock. When in action, he may raise it to a point level with the topline
giving it a slight curve, but not a hook. Tail is not carried above the
backline nor turned to one side. A cropped or stump tail is a
disqualification.
Forequarters
Shoulders long, laid back 45 degrees, flat
against the body, forming a right angle with the upper arm. Top of the
shoulder blades roughly two thumbs width apart. Upper arms
should move in a direction exactly parallel to the longitudinal axis of
the body. Forearms long and well-muscled.
Legs straight and parallel, perpendicular to the ground. Bone oval
rather than round. Pasterns short and strong, slightly sloped.
Dewclaws may be removed. Feet rounded,
cat footed, turning neither in nor out, toes curved close together,
well-padded, strong nails.
Hindquarters
Legs powerful without heaviness, moving in the
same pattern as the limbs of the forequarters. Bone oval rather than
round. Thighs broad and heavily muscled. Stifles
clearly defined, with upper shank at right angles to hip
bones. Hocks moderately bent. Metatarsi
short, perpendicular to the ground, parallel to each other when
viewed from the rear. Dewclaws are removed. Feet
slightly elongated, toes curved close together, heavily padded,
strong nails.
Coat
The Belgian Tervuren is particularly adaptable to extremes of
temperature or climate. The guard hairs of the coat must be long,
close-fitting, straight and abundant. The texture is of medium
harshness, not silky or wiry. Wavy or curly hair is a fault. The
undercoat is very dense, commensurate, however, with climatic
conditions. The hair is short on the head, outside the ears, and on the
front part of the legs. The opening of the ear is protected by tufts of
hair. Ornamentation consists of especially
long and abundant hair, like a collarette around the neck, particularly
on males; fringe of long hair down the back of the forearm; especially
long and abundant hair trimming the breeches; long, heavy and abundant
hair on the tail. The female rarely has as long or as ornamented a
coat as the male. This disparity must not be a consideration when the
female is judged against the male.
Color
Body rich fawn to russet mahogany with black overlay is ideal
and preferred. Predominate color that is pale, washed out, cream
or gray is a fault. The coat is characteristically double pigmented
whereby the tips of fawn hairs are blackened. Belgian Tervuren
characteristically become darker with age. On mature males, this
blackening is especially pronounced on the shoulders, back and rib
section. Blackening in patches is a fault. Although allowance should be
made for females and young males, absence of blackening in mature dogs
is a serious fault.
Chest is normally black, but may be a mixture of black and
gray. White is permitted on the chest/sternum only, not to extend more
than 3 inches above the prosternum, and not to reach either point of
shoulder. Face has a black mask and the ears are mostly black.
A face with a complete absence of black is a serious fault. Frost
or white on chin or muzzle is normal. The underparts of the body,
tail, and breeches are cream, gray, or light beige. The
tail
typically has a darker or black tip. Feet - The tips
of the toes may be white. Nail color may vary from black to
transparent. Solid black, solid liver or any area of white except as
specified on the chest, tips of the toes, chin and muzzle are
disqualifications.
Gait
Lively and graceful, covering the maximum ground with minimum effort.
Always in motion, seemingly never tiring, he shows ease of movement
rather than hard driving action. He single tracks at a fast gait, the
legs both front and rear converging toward the centerline of gravity of
the dog. Viewed from the side he exhibits full extension of both fore
and hindquarters. The backline should remain firm and level, parallel to
the line of motion. His natural tendency is to move in a circle, rather
than a straight line. Padding, hackneying, weaving, crabbing and similar
movement faults are to be penalized according to the degree with which
they interfere with the ability of the dog to work.
Temperament
In his relationship with humans he is observant and vigilant with
strangers, but not apprehensive. He does not show fear or shyness. He
does not show viciousness by unwarranted or unprovoked attack. He must
be approachable, standing his ground and showing confidence to meet
overtures without himself making them. With those he knows well, he is
most affectionate and friendly, zealous for their attention and very
possessive.
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.
Disqualifications
Males under 23 inches or over 26½ inches or females under 21
inches or over 24½ inches.
Hanging ears, as on a hound.
An undershot bite such that there is a complete loss of contact by
all the incisors.
A cropped or stump tail.
Solid black, solid liver or any area of white except as specified on
the chest, tips of the toes, chin, and muzzle.
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