Pollet - Belgian Malinois

Physical Characteristics of the Belgian Malinois

(from the American Kennel Club breed standard)

Head: Clean-cut and strong without heaviness.

Skull: Flattened rather than rounded.

Eyes: Brown, preferably dark brown, medium size, slightly almond shaped.

Nose: Black without discolored areas.

Ears: Approach the shape of an equilateral triangle and are stiff, erect, and in proportion to the head in size.

Neck: Round and of sufficient length to permit the proud carriage of the head.

Muzzle: Moderately pointed, avoiding any tendency to snipiness.

Mouth: Full complement of strong, white teeth that are evenly set and meet in a scissors or level bite.

Jaws: Strong and powerful.

Body: Chest is not broad but is deep, with the lowest point reaching the elbow. The underline forms a smooth ascendant curve from the lowest point of the chest to the abdomen.

Forequarters: Muscular without excessive bulkiness. The shoulder is long and oblique, laid flat against the body, forming a sharp angle with the upper arm. The legs are straight, strong, and parallel to each other. Length and substance are well in proportion to the size of the dog.

Color: Rich fawn to mahogany, with black tips on the hairs, giving an overlay appearance. The mask and ears are black. The underparts of the body, tail, and breeches are lighter fawn.

Topline: The withers are slightly higher and slope into the back which must be level, straight and firm from withers to hip joint.

Tail: Strong at the base, the bone reaching to the hock.

Hindquarters: Angulation of the hindquarters is in balance with the forequarters; the angle at the hock is relatively sharp.The legs are in proportion to the size of the dog; oval bone rather than round. Legs are parallel to each other. The thighs should be well muscled.

Coat: The coat should be comparatively short, straight, hard enough to be weather resistant, with dense undercoat.

Size: Males are 24 to 26 inches in height: females are 22 to 24 inches; measurement to be taken at the withers.

Feet: Round (cat-footed) and well padded with the toes curved close together. Hind feet may be slightly elongated, with toes curved together and well padded.

Contents

Meet Belgium's best known contribution to the Herding Group. See how the Malinoiss ancestors got their start on Belgian farms, meet the people who bred these talented sheepdogs and follow the emergence of the four Belgian shepherd varieties. Discover the breeds talents and uses as working dogs, meet important foundation dogs and champions and accompany the Malinois on his road to AKC acceptance.

Is the Malinois the dog for you or, just as important, are you the person for the Malinois? Discuss the breeds physical traits and abilities, his wonderful personality as well as a few drawbacks, his need for activity and his aptitude for myriad pursuits and what makes him a fabulous companion. Also acquaint yourself with breed-specific health issues of which every prospective owner should be aware.

Learn the requirements of a well-bred Belgian Malinois by studying the description of the breed set forth in the American Kennel Club standard and study similarities and differences among major standards of the world. Both show dogs and pets must possess key characteristics as outlined in the breed standard.

Find out about how to locate a well-bred Belgian Malinois puppy. Discover which questions to ask the breeder and what to expect when visiting the litter. Prepare for your puppy-accessory shopping spree. Also discussed are home safety, the first trip to the vet, socialization and solving basic puppy problems.

Cover the specifics of taking care of your Belgian Malinois every day: feeding for the puppy, adult and senior dog; grooming, including coat care, ears, eyes, nails, teeth and bathing; and exercise needs for your dog. Also discussed are the essentials of dog ID, traveling with your dog and boarding.

Begin with the basics of training the puppy and adult dog. Learn the principles of house-training the Belgian Malinois, including the use of crates and basic scent instincts. Get started by introducing the pup to his collar and leash and progress to the basic commands. Find out about obedience classes and other activities.

By Lowell Ackerman DVM, DACVD

Become your dogs healthcare advocate and a well-educated canine keeper. Select a skilled and able veterinarian. Discuss pet insurance, vaccinations and infectious diseases, the neuter/spay decision and a sensible, effective plan for parasite control, including fleas, ticks and worms.

Step into the center ring and find out about the world of showing pure-bred dogs. Heres how to get started in AKC conformation shows, how they are organized and whats required for your dog to become a champion. Take a leap into the realms of obedience trials, agility, tracking tests and herding events.

K ENNEL C LUB B OOKS B ELGIAN M ALINOIS

ISBN 13: 978-1-59378-650-2

eISBN 13: 978-1-59378-989-3

Copyright 2005 Kennel Club Books An Imprint of I-5 Press A Division of I-5 Publishing, LLC

3 Burroughs, Irvine, CA 92618 USA

Cover Design Patented: US 6,435,559 B2 Printed in South Korea

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by photostat, scanner, microfilm, xerography or any other means, or incorporated into any information retrieval system, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the copyright owner.

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Photography by Isabelle Franais

with additional photographs by:

Paulette Braun, Tara Gregg (Sport Horse Photography), Carol Ann Johnson, Bill Jonas, Robert Pollet and Riitta Tjrneryd.

Illustrations by Patricia Peters.

The Publisher would like to thank all of the owners of the dogs featured in this book, including: Chet and Kelly Backus, Laurie Baker, Steve Beman, Carl Brown, John Browne, Denis Court, N. Deschuymere, Sara Donadei-Blood, Angela Eaton, Serge Gillet, Robert Graham, James and Karen Huff, Carol Knock, Lisa Knock, Everett Lewis, Kenneth Mazzie, Martha Moses, Claudine Nodin, Sylvie & Stphane Ramoni, Anthony Rosa, Steve Skolnick, TriSorts Kennels, Barbara Vitarelli, Robert Van Weremael, Ann Wickham and Sue & Mike Young.