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Understanding the Belgian Malinois: This article guides judges to appreciate the breed’s history, purpose, and the key qualities of balance.
Linda Friedow, American Belgian Malinois Club JEC
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It is my sincere desire that those who judge the Belgian Malinois attempt to know the breed beyond its Standard; an understanding of the history and purpose of the breed will give a judge more confidence in making the correct selections.
As far back as the 1880s, there was a consistent type of native Belgian Shepherd: medium-sized, square, well-set triangular ears, dark brown eyes. From descriptions of herding done in Belgium in the late 1800s, we know that these native Belgian Shepherds were often used as movable fences, shepherding flocks of sheep, cattle, or geese from one pasture to another and protecting the livestock as it grazed. Trials were developed to enhance their natural characteristics of loyalty, intelligence,
and vigilance.
The Belgian Malinois is unquestionably a herding breed, and a very good one, but it should be understood that, historically, the breed was put to work in a variety of ways which required its structure and temperament to be sound. This breed was used not only for herding but as a guardian of home and farm, as a police dog, as a guide dog, and as a valued family companion. Many Belgian Shepherds served in World War I as messenger dogs, tracking dogs, and cart dogs.
Today, Belgian Malinois will be found in every performance venue, excelling not only in Herding but in Agility, Tracking, Ring-Sport, and Obedience as well. Beyond the show ring and performance venues, the Malinois has become well known as the dog of choice with the military and with many police forces and security departments. The Belgian Malinois is bred for intelligence and sensibility, ease of movement, and strength without bulkiness. He is always alert to his surroundings and attentive to his master.
The Standard begins: “The Belgian Malinois is a well-balanced square dog, elegant in appearance with an exceedingly proud carriage of the head and neck.” Please keep these key words in mind as you begin your judging experience—Balanced—Square—Elegant—Proud. While much of this section remains the same, it does include two additional sentences. One reflects the historical importance of character: “His elegance and expression denote great strength of character, reflecting his heritage as a herding breed.” This section also added: “He is hardy and built to withstand the rugged Belgian climate.”
As I check in the entries, I prefer to have the entries gait around the ring to their standing/starting location without my focusing on movement. Most Belgian Malinois are owner-handled, and this allows both dogs and owners a few moments to feel at ease. I observe the entry from across the ring to appreciate that “first impression”—elegant, square silhouette, medium size, with the distinctive, proud carriage of head and neck showing alertness and devotion to master. The group is then moved to gather a similar impression, but this time as a herding dog; movement that is graceful and seemingly effortless.
Keeping the breed’s purpose in mind, as well as those first impressions, we are ready to begin the individual exams. I prefer to again view the silhouette of the dog, looking for a square body that shows good balance and notable elegance. They should be distinctly Belgian in silhouette; the length, measured from the point of breastbone to the point of rump, should equal the height. The Standard used to say “Bitches may be slightly longer.” The Belgian Malinois is a square breed, so the reference allowing bitches to be longer was removed to avoid confusion. Their legs are as long as their depth of body—shoulder to elbow equals elbow to ground. The Breed Standard does have size disqualifications; the ideal height is 24-26 inches for males and 22-24 inches for females—but no preference is given to variations within those limits. Dogs that are under 23 inches or over 27 inches, and females that are under 21 inches and over 25 inches, are to be disqualified. While all four Belgian Standards have the same ideal size, they all vary as to the height for disqualification. I still remind myself of this before judging.
The overall balance of the individual dog is of greater importance than size to me, but the dog should be “medium” in substance. The word heavy was also removed in the description of bone structure, as the Belgian Malinois is a moderate breed. The section on Neck, Topline, Body was rewritten to provide a better visual flow from neck to tail. It now reads: “The neck is slightly elongated, well-muscled, broadening gradually towards the shoulders, without dewlap, slightly arched, permitting the proud carriage of the head. The withers are pronounced, and the back is firm. The loin is solid, short and sufficiently well-muscled. The croup is very slightly sloped.” This description helps to define the silhouette to your eye and to your hands as you go over the dogs.
When approaching the Malinois, please do it with confidence and conviction. Remember that the dog will be very focused on their handler, so any hesitation on the judge’s part in the approach may put the dog on alert. Please greet the dog or handler as you walk up for the exam. Its natural protective instincts make it a breed which may appear indifferent with strangers; this is normal. It should be confident, though, on your approach, never fearful, and showing good manners. The Standard now says: “Correct temperament is essential to the working character of the Belgian Malinois. He is alert, intelligent, inquisitive and confident, showing neither fear nor aggression. He is energetic, ready for action, yet highly responsive to his owner’s direction. His lively character should be evident in his proud carriage and the sparkling attentive eyes. The Belgian Malinois is an exceptional watchdog. Vigilant yet responsive, he balances all the qualities needed in a stock dog, protector and sensible working partner. He is firmly loyal to those he loves but may be indifferent with strangers. Displays of fear or aggression are to be severely penalized.” By nature, the Malinois is an active dog and likes to move about. Our dogs are typically free-stacked, so they may not hold a pose for long! They also have a wonderful sense of play, and it does not take much encouragement for them to exhibit their humorous side. Never accept poor temperament; excusing a dog that is having a bad day is okay.
The Belgian Malinois is not a head breed, but a correct head is a thing of beauty. The head should be in proportion to the rest of the body, well-chiseled, with no looseness of skin. The Standard section on the head added language to better clarify the ideal, utilizing positive descriptive statements: “The head is carried high. It is long without exaggeration, rectilinear, well-chiseled and dry. The eyes radiate attentiveness and readiness for action. The ears are rather small, set high and distinctly triangular with a well-cupped outer ear and pointed tips; The muzzle is of medium length and well chiseled under the eyes; The mouth is well split; The lips are thin, tight and strongly pigmented black.” These are a few of the added positive descriptive statements. As before, the skull and muzzle are roughly equal in length, any bias given to the muzzle’s length. The skull should not be wider than its length. The planes of the head are parallel and the topskull flat. Look for a head that is balanced and a slight wedge. Commonly seen head faults include a too-short muzzle, a rounded topskull, cheekiness, or head planes that are not parallel. The eyes should be almond-shaped and dark brown, with an alert, intelligent, and kind look. Round or light-colored eyes can destroy the look of a good head. Light eyes are now a fault. The ears should be firm and not soft, even when the dog is moving, although they can fold them back against the head. Correct eyes and ears are essential to good breed type. When combined with proper head structure, the Malinois head should never be confused with that of a German Shepherd Dog, a Collie, or a Norwegian Elkhound. The Belgian Malinois is to have a black mask; the new Standard clearly defines the mask: “The mask must be pronounced and tends to encompass the top and bottom lip, the corners of the lips and the eyelids in one single black zone. The mask and ears appear black.” A black mask is rarely solid black; there will be a combination of dark brown and even fawn hairs, but the overall appearance is to be a blackened mask. There is often what we refer to as “frosting” on the chin (white hairs). This is acceptable and normal, and some puppies are born with it. Pigment around the eyes and mouth, as well as the nose, should be black. Expression in the Malinois includes the balance of head proportions, the earset, the eyes, the masking, and ultimately, how they use it.
As a herding dog, the bite is of considerable importance. Traditionally, the bite most desired was a level pinching bite. As a breeder, though, I am more comfortable using dogs that have a scissors bite. As a judge, either a scissors or level bite is acceptable. Please check this or have the handler show the bite. Full dentition is desired. Although it is rare that a dog is missing teeth other than premolars, we do want judges to check for full dentition, but do not pry open their mouths; simply lifting the lips usually offers the necessary information. The Standard reminds us: “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. Complete dentition is preferred. Missing teeth should be faulted.” Missing teeth are a fault; the more missing, the greater the fault.
I appreciate a beautiful neck, medium-long and slightly arched. Proper neck arch is more evident when the dog is allowed to look forward naturally rather than up at its owner/handler. The Standard now states for the forequarters: “The shoulder blades are long and sloping, laid flat against the body, forming a sufficient angle with the upper arm to ensure free and efficient movement.” As a breeder, I realize it is hard to consistently produce dogs with correct angulation in a square silhouette, but it is the ideal and what we want. I like the dog to feel muscled, but never bulky. Correct feet thrill me nearly as much as a correct head! They should be cat-footed, not turned in or out, tight, and well padded. Good feet are what a herding dog works on.
The rear should balance the front—moderate, well muscled, but not over-angulated or stilted. The hocks should be set rather low for efficient working ability and moderately bent. I want a level back that is straight, with a short loin flowing into the croup which slopes toward the tail. The last vertebra of the tail should reach the hock. A cropped or stump tail is a disqualification. When standing at rest, the tail is dropped (never held by the handler). The tail is lifted when the dog is in motion, and ideally, is a fluid line continuing from the back, not passing the horizontal or forming a hook. It is not uncommon to see young males carrying their tail too proudly. This I can forgive in an otherwise correct dog.
Correct movement in the Malinois is free and easy, seemingly effortless. They should single-track at a fast pace, with full extension of the front and rear. They should not be raced around the ring nor move with any excessive action (no paddling, hackneying, weaving, crabbing—nothing that interferes with the dog’s ability to work in an efficient manner. The topline should remain firm and level. Since the Malinois is usually owner-handled, it is not uncommon to see a novice dog that is too intent on watching his/her owner, looking upward and causing the dogs to throw their front. You must judge what you see, but oftentimes, a judge may point this out and ask them to move the dog again.
Correct coat texture is also very important in a herding dog—they should have a harsh, straight outer coat with a thick, dense undercoat. This is a natural dog, and they should not be trimmed or groomed to give the appearance of an open coat. Many exhibitors now blow dry their dogs; they should allow the coat to fall back naturally, lying flat. The coat should repel moisture if the dog was working in adverse weather conditions. The coat should conform to the body, without standing out or hanging down. Wording was added to state: “Hair that is too long, silky or wiry is a fault.”
Prominent body color other than described in the Standard continues to be an ongoing concern. The CURRENT STANDARD reads: “Color: The ideal coloring is a rich fawn to mahogany, with black tips on the hairs giving an overlay appearance. The blackening must not appear as patched or brindled. The underparts of the body, tail and breeches are lighter fawn. Washed-out fawn color on the body is a fault. The mask must be pronounced and tends to encompass the top and bottom lip, the corners of the lips and the eyelids in one single black zone. The mask and ears appear black. The tips of toes may be white, and a small white spot on the breastbone is permitted, not to extend to the neck. White markings, except as noted, are faulted. Any color or color combination not described in the standard should be disqualified (emphasis added).” The Standard describes the ideal color of the Belgian Malinois as “rich fawn to mahogany, with black tips on the hairs giving an overlay appearance.” If, in a judge’s opinion, the black tipping is so pronounced that it gives the appearance of a dog that looks more black than fawn to mahogany as described in the Standard, it should be disqualified. Colors other than those identified in the Standard, or those with a distinct pattern in their coat color, would be considered an unacceptable color in accordance to the AKC approved Breed Standard.
In review, please remember that the Belgian Malinois is a square and elegant breed; their head is clean, chiseled, and in balance, with an expression that speaks of intelligence and readiness. They should exhibit balanced, efficient movement. They have a straight double coat of warm rich hues and a black mask. They are watchful, confident, alert, and devoted to their owners. A judge should consider the entire dog, determining which faults deviate from the Standard and how they would affect the dog’s ability to herd. We all wish our chosen breed to be judged positively and with respect—a little humor doesn’t hurt either. Enjoy!
For additional information, visit the American Belgian Malinois Club’s website at: malinoisclub.com or contact a member of the ABMC’s Judges Education Committee.
The basic information in this article was first written for publication in SHOWSIGHT in 2013. While the breed has not altered, the membership voted for clarifications to the Breed Standard in 2021, with those changes becoming effective in October 2021.
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