Page 21 - ShowSight Presents - The Beligian Malinois
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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 han- dler). The tail is lifted when the dog is in motion, and ideally is a fluid line continu- ing from the back. I’m not fond of a tail carried gaily above neither the back, nor one that is tucked between the legs. It is not uncommon to see young males carry their tail too proudly, that 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 pad- dling, 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 han- dled, it is not uncommon to see a novice dog that is too intent on watching his/ her owner – looking upward at them and
causing them to throw their front. You must judge what you see, but often times a judge may point this out and ask them to move the dog again.
Correct coat texture is also very impor- tant in a herding dog – they should have a harsh straight outer coat with a thick dense undercoat. It 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 – it should repel mois- ture if the dog was working in adverse weather conditions. The coat should con- form to the body, without standing out or hanging down.
While color is truly a finishing point in a herding dog, the rich fawn to russet mahogany color of our breed is a point of pride in many Malinois owners. The underparts of the body, tail and breeches are a lighter fawn, but a washed out fawn color on the body is a fault. White is allowed on the tips of the toes and a small spot on the prosternum is permitted, but it should not extend to the neck. Color should never take precedence over struc- ture or temperament.
In review, please remember that the Belgian Malinois is a square and elegant breed, their head clean, chiseled and in balance with an expression that speaks of
“It is not uncommon to see
YOUNG MALES CARRY THEIR TAIL TOO
PROUDLY,
that I can forgive in an otherwise correct dog.
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 own- ers. 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 web- site at malinoisclub.com or contact the ABMC’s Judges Education committee.
BIO
Linda Frie-
dow is the Judges
Education Chair-
person for the
American Belgian
Malinois Club.
She is also a mem-
ber of the Judges
Education Committee for the American Belgian Tervuren Club. Linda has been judging the Belgian breeds since 2000, and is currently approved for 7 breeds and Junior Showmanship.
Linda has been a Belgian owner/han- dler/breeder for nearly 35 years. She has served as a board member of the American Belgian Tervuren Club for 12 years, 6 as it’s president. Linda has had the honor of judging both the Belgian Tervuren Nation- al and the Belgian Malinois National. She (with husband Rory Friedow DVM) still breeds both Tervuren & Malinois under the “of Anduin” name.
