JUDGING THE BELGIAN MALINOIS
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IF YOU NOTICE A DOG LOOKING AWAY FROM THE HANDLER INTO THE CROWD, CHANCES ARE HE HAS FOUND HIS OWNER;
THEY ARE VIGILANT IN KEEPING AN EYE ON THOSE THEY KNOW.
scissors or level bite is acceptable. I prefer to have the mouth checked at the end of the exam. Th e owner should show you the front bite as well as lifting the lips on both sides so you may view for full dentition. Although it is rare that a dog is missing teeth other than premolars, we do want judges to check for full denti- tion, but do not pry open their mouths—simply lifting the lips usually o ff ers the necessary information. Th e standard reminds us, “An overshot or undershot bite is a fault. An undershot bite in which two or more of the upper incisors lose contact with two or more of the lower incisors is a disquali fi cation. One or more missing teeth is a serious fault.” You may see short center incisors, which are not a disquali fi cation in an otherwise correct bite. I appreciate a beautiful neck, medium long and slightly arched. Proper neck arch is more evident when the dog is allowed to look forward naturally rather than up at its owner-handler. We do desire a well laid back shoulder, with the scapula and upper arm being of equal length. As a breeder, I realize it is hard to consistently produce dogs with correct angulation in a square silhouette, but it is the ideal and what we want. I like the dog to feel muscled, but never bulky. Correct feet thrill me nearly as much as a correct head! Th ey should be cat-footed, not turned in or out, tight, and well padded. Good feet are what a herding dog works on. Th e rear should balance the front—moderate, well muscled, but not over angulated or stilted. Th e hocks should be set rather low for e ffi cient working ability and moderately bent. I want a level back that is straight with a short loin, fl owing into the croup which slopes toward the tail. Th e last vertebra of the tail should reach the hock. A cropped or stump tail is a disquali fi cation. Th is can be checked e ffi ciently when running your hands over the back, then down the tail to the hock. When standing at rest, the tail is dropped (never held by the handler). Th e tail is lifted when the dog is in motion, and ideally is a fl uid line continuing from the back. I’m not fond of a tail carried gaily above 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 cor- rect dog. A tail carried too high, or curled over the back can ruin the elegant look we strive for. >
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SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, JULY 2020 | 211
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