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Official Standard of the Belgian Laekenois 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 to 26 inches in height and females 22 to 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 20½ 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. Drooping or hanging ears are disqualifications. 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. (Note: loss of contact caused by short center incisors shall not be judged as undershot in an otherwise correct bite.) 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. Body - 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. Loin - loin section when viewed from above is relatively short, broad and strong, and blends smoothly into the back. 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.
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