Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Summary
The Belgian Shepherd Dog was formed in the late 19th century in Belgium as a versatile herding and working breed. It includes several varieties that differ in coat type and texture but maintain a unified breed type: Groenendael, Malinois, Tervuren, and Laekenois. Originally, these dogs were used for managing livestock, guarding property, accompanying people, and performing tasks requiring endurance and independence. Natural selection and purposeful breeding established the Belgian Shepherd’s high trainability, sensitivity, discipline, and readiness for sustained work. In the 20th century, the breed became widely used in police, military, and rescue services, retaining its versatility and stable character. Today, the Belgian Shepherd Dog is valued as a reliable working partner and a high-level sport dog.
General Appearance
The Belgian Shepherd Dog is a medium-sized, well-balanced, dry, athletic breed that combines strength, elegance, and high mobility. The body is slightly elongated yet compact, without heaviness or coarseness. Lines are clean and expressive, musculature is well developed, and movement is light and efficient. The head is dry, proportional, with a lively, attentive expression. Limbs are straight, strong, and provide stability and reach. The tail is of medium length, carried naturally in continuation of the topline. The overall appearance reflects the breed’s purpose: an enduring, fast, responsive, and stable working dog capable of performing demanding tasks in varying conditions.
Important Proportions
The proportions of the Belgian Shepherd Dog emphasize its functionality and versatility. Height at the withers approximately equals body length, forming a balanced, slightly elongated outline. The chest is deep, reaching the elbows and providing lung capacity essential for sustained work. The head is proportionate to the body, with muzzle length roughly equal to skull length, creating a harmonious profile. Limbs are long enough with well-defined angulation, providing strong propulsion and controlled, agile movement. The tail continues the topline naturally. All proportions must support an impression of mobility, endurance, and structural clarity required for superior working ability.
Behaviour and Temperament
The Belgian Shepherd Dog is active, intelligent, and highly people-oriented, displaying strong discipline and willingness to cooperate. It learns quickly, easily masters complex commands, and has high reactivity, making it indispensable in professional and sport work. The breed is confident and alert, always attentive to its surroundings. It is naturally wary of strangers but should not show unjustified aggression or fearfulness. With its owner, it demonstrates devotion, emotional sensitivity, and a strong desire to interact. This breed requires continuous mental and physical stimulation; without it, restlessness or overexcitability may appear. Proper training produces a stable, balanced temperament.
Head
The head of the Belgian Shepherd Dog is long, dry, well defined, proportional to the body, with clean and expressive lines. The skull is moderately wide, slightly rounded, with a noticeable but smooth stop. The muzzle is elongated, straight, gradually tapering toward the nose while remaining dry and well structured. Lips are thin and tight. Nose is black with full pigmentation. Jaws are strong, with a scissor bite. Cheeks are not prominent, and the forehead is not coarse. The head should express intelligence, alertness, and refinement—the hallmark of the breed. It must be precise in proportions, light, yet clearly expressive.
Foreface
The foreface is elongated, dry, with clear contours that create the breed’s characteristic attentive expression. The nasal bridge is straight and even. The nose is fully pigmented and dark, harmonizing with the general appearance. The muzzle tapers gradually yet retains sufficient volume for strong, functional jaws. Lips are tight, dry, not pendulous. The chin is moderately defined. The entire foreface must highlight the breed’s intelligent, collected working character. Coarseness, looseness, excessive mass, or insufficient pigmentation are faults.
Eyes
The eyes of the Belgian Shepherd Dog are medium-sized, slightly oval, and set slightly obliquely, giving the expression attentiveness and vitality. Eye color is predominantly dark brown; lighter shades are undesirable as they disrupt breed expression. Eyelids are tight, well pigmented. The gaze is energetic, intelligent, focused, reflecting the breed’s working temperament and high trainability. Eyes are a key feature in establishing the typical expression—alert, lively, balanced. Overly large, round, protruding eyes or insufficient pigmentation are faults. Correct eyes emphasize the breed’s concentration and responsiveness.
Ears
Ears are set high, triangular, erect, with clean, well-defined edges. Their size must be proportional to the head: excessively large or overly small ears spoil balance. The ear set should be firm and symmetrical, enhancing attentiveness and alertness. The base is broad, the tips pointed and directed upward. Ears that are too close together, too wide apart, soft, or partially folded are undesirable. Correct ears underline the breed’s confident, energetic nature and contribute to its intelligent expression.
Neck
The neck is of medium length, strong, dry, well muscled, blending smoothly into the withers and shoulders. It must be long enough to provide freedom of movement yet strong enough to withstand a fast working tempo. The topline of the neck is slightly arched, emphasizing elegance and functionality. Skin is tight, with no dewlap. A neck that is too short, thick, or weak disrupts overall balance and reduces movement efficiency. A correct neck provides stability, maneuverability, and lightness typical of the working Belgian Shepherd Dog.
Body
The body is harmonious, strong, athletic, reflecting the breed’s working nature. The topline is straight and firm, without sagging or roaching. The withers are well pronounced, blending into a strong, straight back. The loin is short, muscular but not heavy, maintaining flexibility and stability during movement. The croup is moderately long, slightly sloping, providing good drive. The chest is deep but not overly wide; ribs are moderately sprung, ensuring adequate lung capacity. The abdomen is tucked up, forming a dry, functional silhouette. The body must convey strength, agility, and functionality while maintaining elegance and endurance.
Tail
The tail is of medium length, set moderately low, continuing the croup line without breaks. At rest, it hangs down with a slight curve at the tip. In movement, it rises higher but must not curl or stand vertically. The tail is well covered with hair, with volume depending on variety. Faults include tails that are too short, set too high, ring tails, or rigidly curled tails. A correct tail complements the breed’s balance, dynamics, and harmonious silhouette.
Forequarters
The forequarters are straight, strong, dry, and express a balance of power and lightness. Shoulder blades are long, sloping, closely fitting, allowing wide, free forward extension. The upper arm is approximately the same length as the shoulder blade, ensuring smooth, elastic movement. Elbows point straight back, without turning in or out. Forearms are straight, strong, with firm tendons. Pasterns are slightly sloping, resilient, adapted to active work. Forequarters must demonstrate stability, maneuverability, and functionality. Weak, soft, or shortened limbs are faults, as they compromise movement.
Hindquarters
The hindquarters are powerful, well muscled yet dry, providing strong propulsion and stability. Thighs are long and muscular but not coarse. Lower thighs are firm, moderately long, creating correct stifle angulation. Hocks are low set, well defined, ensuring stability at speed and during sharp turns. The stance is parallel, without convergence or divergence. Feet are compact, arched, with strong pads. Weak joints, straight angulation, narrow stance, or insufficient musculature reduce working ability and are faults. Proper hindquarters ensure power, agility, and endurance.
Gait / Movement
Movement is light, energetic, elastic, demonstrating the breed’s ability for fast, sustained, precise work. The trot is free, straight, with good forward reach and strong rear drive. The topline remains stable; movement is balanced and well coordinated. As speed increases, the dog maintains lightness, precision, and agility. Gallop is fast, collected, allowing immediate directional changes. Faults include stiffness, short steps, body rocking, or crossing gait. Correct movement highlights flexibility, reaction speed, and working fitness.
Coat
Coat type varies by variety but must always provide protection against the elements.
• Groenendael and Tervuren: long, dense, slightly harsh coat with a thick undercoat.
• Malinois: short, dense, harsh coat lying close to the body.
• Laekenois: rough, wiry, uneven coat with a distinct texture.
In all varieties, the undercoat must be dense and protective. Coat must not be soft, silky, sparse, overly long, or lacking undercoat. Coat texture must emphasize function and ability to work in various climates.
Permitted Colours
Colours vary by variety but must be natural and well pigmented.
• Groenendael: solid black.
• Tervuren: fawn or red fawn with black overlay.
• Malinois: fawn with black mask, uniform in tone.
• Laekenois: reddish fawn with rough, wiry coat.
White markings are allowed in moderation (chest, toes, sometimes chin). Large white patches, incomplete or weak mask pigmentation, spotting, bluish tones, blue eyes, or insufficient pigmentation are faults. Colour must enhance the breed’s expression and working type.
Size
The Belgian Shepherd Dog is medium-sized and well proportioned, ensuring strong working ability. Males typically measure 60–66 cm at the withers; females 56–62 cm. Weight must correspond to structure and format: the dog should appear dry, strong, and sufficiently light for agility. Slight deviations are acceptable if balance and function remain intact. Excessively light or overly heavy types are undesirable. Correct size supports speed, endurance, and precision—key qualities of this working breed.
Faults
Faults include deviations that compromise harmony or working ability: insufficient bone, narrow chest, flat ribs, weak loin, overly long body, weak pasterns, straight hindquarters, or lack of musculature. Light eyes, weak pigmentation of nose, lips, or eyelids, excessive white markings, incorrect coat texture, or lack of undercoat are faults. Poor movement—stiff, uncoordinated, or lacking reach—is undesirable. Evaluation must consider severity and impact on function.
Disqualifying Faults
Disqualifying faults include serious deviations incompatible with breed type or working purpose: aggression or pronounced fearfulness; blue eyes, heterochromia; depigmented nose or eyelids; completely unpigmented mask in Malinois; incorrect bite; significant dental defects; severe structural abnormalities causing lameness; atypical colours; large white areas; lack of undercoat; excessively soft or uncharacteristic coat. Any anatomical or behavioural anomaly preventing normal work excludes the dog from breeding.
Important Notes
Evaluation must emphasize functionality, endurance, and mental stability. Appearance must not be judged apart from movement and behaviour, as the breed is designed for active, intelligent work. Differences among varieties apply only to coat and colour—not structure or temperament. Young dogs may show temporary imbalance; this is acceptable. Moderate white markings should not reduce evaluation if type is preserved. Expression is essential: attentive, lively, focused. Extremes that disrupt balance, agility, or harmony are undesirable.
Conclusion
The Belgian Shepherd Dog is one of the most versatile working breeds, combining speed, endurance, high trainability, and strong task orientation. Its structure must reflect functionality: a strong, dry body, expressive head, balanced angulation, and confident movement. Regardless of coat variety, the breed remains agile, active, and attentive, with a clear readiness to work alongside humans. Breeding must preserve health, stable temperament, and working ability. The Belgian Shepherd Dog embodies intelligence, strength, and character, remaining a reliable partner in service, sport, and family life.
