Instructions
Look at the size of this breed. The length of the breed, as measured from the point of the breastbone to the point of the rump, should be the same as the height of the dog. Female dogs are generally a bit longer. The breed has a moderately heavy bone structure and is well-balanced, not spindly or leggy.
Make sure the clean-cut head is strong and the size is in proportion with the body. It should have an alert expression and be ready for activity. The dark brown eyes should have an intelligent gaze and should be slightly almond shaped. The ears are triangular and sit erect on the dog’s head. The ears should not hang.
Look for a round and outstretched neck that tapers from the head to the body and is well-muscled with tight skin. The chest is wide, but not deep. The chest should not reach past the elbow. The tail is strong at the base and the vertebrae should reach to the hock. The dog may hold the tail tipped level with the hock. The tail should not be cropped and the dog should not have a stump tail.
Check the fore- and hindquarters. The front legs are straight with oval bone. The cat-foot feet have curved toes that are close together and are well padded. The nails are black, but can be white to match white toe tips. The rear legs also have oval bone and the legs are parallel to each other. The thighs should be heavily muscled. The stifle joint should form a sharp angle, as should the angle at the hock. The rear feet are slightly elongated and the well-padded toes should curve close together. The nails should be black, but like the front, may be white to match white toe tips.
Feel the well-fitting guard hairs of the coat. They should be long and straight, not silky or wiry. The undercoat is very dense, and may get denser with colder climates. The hair on the outside of the ears, lower part of the legs and head is short. The Belgian sheepdog should have longer hair around the neck and should have a fringe of long hair on the back of the front legs. The hair on the back of the hindquarters should be long and abundant. The hair should be black. It may be black with some white, but the white is limited to a small patch on the forechest and between the pads of the feet. There may also be white on the tips of the hind toes. If there is white on the tips of the front toes, this is a fault. The chin and muzzle may have some frost coloring (white or gray).
How to Identify a Belgian Sheepdog
The Belgian sheepdog’s conformation should show the impression of a solid dog with depth, but should not show bulkiness. This breed is a square dog with an elegant appearance who holds its head proudly. This strong breed is an agile, well-muscled breed and is quite alert. Males are 24 to 26 inches at the withers and females are 22 to 24 inches at the withers.