Did
you know?
· The Belgian Sheepdog is known as the Groenendael or Chien de Berger Belge in
most parts of the world.
· During World War I, Belgian Sheepdogs distinguished themselves on the
battlefields, serving as message carriers and ambulance dogs, and even pulling
machine guns.
· The Belgian Sheepdog Club of America was formed in 1919. |
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So
you want to own a Belgian Sheepdog?
The coat needs to be brushed a few times a week to keep it in healthy condition.
The Belgian Sheepdog does not shed regularly, but when shedding season comes you
will need to pay more attention to the coat to rid it of dead hair.
The Belgian Sheepdog is not the best dog for apartment dwellers. They need
exercise and a safe place to play within fenced confines.
The Belgian Sheepdog is
affectionate and friendly. He can be very possessive of his family and desires
their attention. |
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General Appearance
The first impression of the Belgian Sheepdog is that of a well balanced, square
dog, elegant in appearance, with an exceedingly proud carriage of the head and
neck. He is a strong, agile, well muscled animal, alert and full of life. His
whole conformation gives the impression of depth and solidity without bulkiness.
The male dog is usually somewhat more impressive and grand than his female
counterpart. The bitch should have a distinctly feminine look.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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. |
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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.
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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, except for white in specified areas. Reddening due
to climatic conditions in an otherwise correct coat should not be grounds for
disqualification.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Written
Standard Courtesy www.akc.org
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