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GENERAL APPEARANCE
The first impression of the Belgian Laekenois is that of a square,
well-balanced 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. Both male
and female should be judged equally. 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. 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
Laekenois should stand squarely on all fours. From a side view the topline,
front legs, and back legs should closely approximate a square. Males under 23
inches or over 27 inches shall be disqualified. Females under 20.5 inches or
over 25 inches shall be disqualified.
HEAD
Clean cut and strong, long without exaggeration and lean. The skull
and muzzle are approximately the same length with at most a very slight
advantage for the muzzle. Overall size should be in proportion to the body.
Expression should be intelligent and questioning, indicating alertness,
attention and readiness for activity. Eyes are brown, preferably dark brown,
medium size, slightly almond shaped and not protruding. Ears are 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. Skull is flattened rather than
rounded with the width approximately the same, but not wider than the length.
The stop is moderate. Muzzle is 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 is black without spots or discolored areas.
The lips should be tight and black, with no pink showing on the outside. Teeth
full complement of strong, white teeth, evenly set. Bite should be even or
scissors. An overshot or undershot bite is a fault. An undershot or overshot
bite in which two or more of the upper incisors lose contact with two or more of
the lower incisors is a disqualification. The absence of two premolars or molars
is a serious fault. The absence of one premolar (PMI) is not to be penalized.
Four or more missing teeth is a disqualification.
NECK, TOPLINE, BODY
Neck is 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 is not broad, but deep. The lowest point should reach the elbow,
forming a smooth ascendant curve to the abdomen. Abdomen is of moderate
development, neither tucked up nor paunchy. The loin section when viewed from
above is relatively short, broad and strong, and blends smoothly into the back.
The croup is very slightly sloped, broad, but not excessively so. Tail is strong
at the base with the last vertebra reaching the 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 slight curve, which is strongest towards the tip, without forming a
hook. Cropped or stump tail are disqualifications.
FOREQUARTERS Shoulders are long and oblique, laid flat against the body, forming
a sharp angle (approximately 90 degrees) with the upper arm. Legs are straight,
strong and parallel to each other with bone oval rather than round. Development
(length and substance) should be well proportioned to the size of the dog.
Pasterns are short, strong and very slightly sloped. Feet are round (cat
footed), toes curved close together, well padded. Nails strong and black, except
that they may be white to match white toe tips. Dewclaws are permissible.
HINDQUARTERS Legs are in length and substance well proportioned to the size of
the dog with the bone oval rather than round. Legs are parallel to each other.
Thighs are 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 Laekenois does not have extreme angulation.
Metatarsus is medium length, strong and slightly sloped. Feet are slightly
elongated. Toes curved close together, well padded. Nails strong and black,
except that they may be white to match white toe tips. Dewclaws, if any, should
be removed.
COAT
The coat must have a texture which is rough and coarse giving a disorderly,
tousled look. The coat should be severely penalized if silky or soft or lacking
a double coat. The length of the hair should be approximately 2 1/2 inches over
the body. A beard must be present on the muzzle and hair on the head should not
be in excess so as to hide the eyes nor the lines of the head and skull and make
the head appear square or heavy. The tail should not form a plume.
COLOR
All shades of red or fawn to grayish tones are acceptable with traces
of black appearing principally on the muzzle and tail. The degree of blackening
varies considerably from dog to dog with all variations being equally
acceptable. A small to moderate white patch is permitted on the chest and the
tips of the toes may be white. White or gray frosting on the chin and muzzle is
normal and acceptable.
GAIT Motion should be smooth, free and easy, seemingly never tiring, exhibiting
facility of movement rather than hard driving action. The Belgian Laekenois
tends to single track at 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 center of motion, with no crabbing. The dog shows a
marked tendency to move in a circle or curve rather than a straight line.
TEMPERAMENT
The Belgian Laekenois should reflect the qualities of intelligence,
courage, alertness and devotion to master. Protectiveness of the person and
property of his master is added to his inherent aptitude as a guardian of flocks
and fields. He should be watchful, attentive and always in motion when not under
command. He should be observant and vigilant with strangers, but not
apprehensive in his relationship with humans. He should not show fear or shyness
nor viciousness by unwarranted or unprovoked attack. With those he knows well,
he is most affectionate and friendly, zealous of their attention, and very
possessive. Extreme shyness is not desirable in the Belgian Laekenois and should
be severely penalized. Viciousness is a disqualification.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
Drooping or hanging ears
Bilateral or unilateral cryptorchid
Cropped or stump tail Viciousness
Males under 23" or over 27" Females under 20.5" or over 25"
Undershot or overshot bite such that contact with two incisors is lost. (Note:
loss of contact caused by short center incisors shall not be judged as undershot
in an otherwise correct bite.)
Four or more missing teeth.
Solid white markings elsewhere than on tips of toes, chest, or frosting on
muzzle.
August 22, 1996
For More information visit Belgian Laekenois Club