History & Origin
Of
The SDA Dutch Malinois & Dutch Herder/ Shepherd
(The above picture contains an excellent example of a Dutch Malinois)
Starting January-2013 Service Dogs of America will start recognizing and registering a
breed of dog in the United States, unrecognized by a pure breed registry, commonly
referred to, both in Europe and the USA, as: mixed malinois, Mechelse Herder, KNPV
malinois, Dutch Herder/ Shepherds and inappropriately as Belgium Malinois or FCI
Dutch Shepherds. In February 2007 a meeting was held with the United Kennel Club’s
administrative staff and a SDA representative group of people who wanted to establish
breed recognition and registration privileges for this race of dogs. It was decided that this
group of dogs had the necessary numbers in the USA and abroad to warrant eligibility for
registration with the United Kennel Club’s new developmental registry; however due to
UKC canceling its Sport Dog Program and its affiliation with Service Dogs of America;
the SDA representative group decided that pursuing registration with UKC should be
canceled based on the fact that UKC no longer offers or recognizes working titles for
these types of dogs. SDA representatives had completed all requirements for establishing
these dogs as a recognized breed; SDA representatives wrote the breed standard and
created all guidelines for eligibility requirements to be registered as a Dutch Malinois or
Dutch Herder/ Shepherd. The name Dutch Malinois and Dutch Herder/Shepherds was
selected as the official name for this type of dog here in the USA. This name was selected
based on the fact that the majority of bloodlines of the dogs entering this program are
descended from Dutch dogs developed by the people of the Netherlands. The names
“Dutch Malinois” and Dutch Herder/Shepherd will clearly distinguish the notable
differences between Belgium Malinois and Dutch Malinois and FCI Dutch shepherds and
Dutch Herder/Shepherds.
(This picture provides a picture of Dutch Herder/Shepherd basically both dogs are the
same except color)
Service Dogs of America representatives Jack Rayl, Mark Leamer and Bill Seltzer
developed the Dutch Malinois & Dutch Herder/ Shepherd breed standard and Cindy
Reed, SDA Web- manager, established all necessary forms for dogs being registered in
the US. Eligibility guide lines and all registration forms are now accessible to be down
loaded from the SDA-Website; in addition all dogs entering the registry are eligible to
compete in all SDA sanctioned events. Service Dogs of America will offer people who
own these types of dogs a registry and data base that will be online that provides all
known information for a three generation pedigree, individual dog owner certificates and
litter registration papers for the dogs entering the registry with SDA.
Now, people who own Dutch Malinois & Dutch Herder/ Shepherds have the ability to
register their dogs in a true United States working dog registry that will maintain a data
base for pedigrees, provides official owner certificates, litter registration certificates and
many other benefits such as photo gallery and details about their dogs. On a personal
note, I, Jack Rayl, have many of these dogs and I personally will be heading up this
program. Some of my Dutch malinois are deceased; however with the SDA Registry they
will live own with pictures and pedigrees for their descendants. I encourage all owners of
dogs that are known as Dutch Malinois or Dutch Herder/ Shepherds to register their dog
with SDA to establish records and pedigrees. We at SDA are establishing a United States
registry for working dogs. The following information provides a brief history of the dogs
that SDA will refer to as Dutch Malinois & Dutch Herder/ Shepherds.
(Another picture of a Dutch Herder/ Shepherd)
The origins of the Dutch Malinois and the Dutch Herder/Shepherd primarily stem from
the Belgium Malinois, crossed with other types of working dogs that the breeders felt
would improve the working abilities of the offspring. Most of the cross breeding
consisted of shepherd types; however other working breeds were used in this dog’s early
development. The Belgium Malinois itself is classified in Europe as a Belgian Shepherd
Dog, a breed established during the latter part of the 19th Century. The Belgian Malinois
(short-haired fawn) is only one of four varieties of the European Belgian Shepherd Dog.
The other varieties are the Groenendael (long-haired black, called Belgian Sheepdog in
the US), the Tervuren (long-haired fawn), and the Laekenois (wire-haired fawn or gray).
The United Kennel Club and the Canadian Kennel Club consider the Belgium Malinois,
Groenendael, Tervuren and Laekenois different varieties but one breed.
Before World War II there was concern, especially in the Netherlands, that it was getting
more and more difficult to find pedigreed dogs with proper temperament for KNPV
(Royal Dutch Police Dog Association) work. After World War II, due in large part to the
deteriorated European economy, many otherwise pedigreed litters and individual dogs
were not registered because of the added cost. As a result of these circumstances, both
breeders and handlers of working dogs put less and less emphasis upon registration with a
recognized registry and began out-crossing to improve their dogs’ working ability. Thus,
the use of non-registered working dogs became commonplace. A major factor leading to
this course of action is the fact that these dogs could compete and perform in the Royal
Dutch Police Dog organization without being registered, and successful KNPV
competition is the epitome accomplishment for working dogs in the Netherlands and
elsewhere in Europe. Moreover, around this time, with the Belgium Malinois as the
foundation breed, some outstanding cross bred dogs started emerging that not only had
superb working abilities, but were of a similar phenotype that was very popular and
desirable with many Dutch breeders, trainers and handlers. The philosophy of both the
early and the modern day breeders of these dogs are to develop a dog with strong
working traits while attempting to continually improve its overall health. This is
especially true among KNPV circles and in the Netherlands, which has been in the
forefront of developing the Dutch Malinois and Dutch Herder/Shepherds. Most of the
Dutch Malinois and Dutch Herder/Shepherds today are descendants that can trace their
lineage to the outstanding dogs of that early period. Due to the quality of these
exceptional dogs and the records kept by the Royal Dutch Police Dog Organization, we
now have extensive lineage/pedigree records for the modern Dutch Malinois and Dutch
Herders/Shepherds. Such records go back for many generations and include the notable
working achievements of the ancestors of our present day Dutch dogs.
Currently, Dutch Malinois’ and “Dutch Herder/Shepherds” dominate KNPV and are used
extensively by military and the police worldwide. Now, in the early 21st Century, this
race of dogs “breed true” and with the advent of the computer and the Internet, their
lineage for generation after generation is well documented and easily accessible to the
general public.
In summary, dogs now known as Dutch Malinois and Dutch Herder/Shepherds in the
United States are dogs that have been specifically bred since 1907 to be outstanding
military dogs and dual purpose working police dogs. They are in abundance in the USA
and Europe, have a distinct phenotype and temperament and reproduce “true.” A vast
storehouse of lineage/pedigree information and accomplishments of individual dogs is
available on the bloedlijnen website at: http://www.bloedlijnen.nl/. Now, the dog with
many names will have a specific breed name called Dutch Malinois and Dutch
Herder/Shepherds and has the recognition of the a new USA true working dog registry –
Service Dogs of America Performance Dog Registry. Records of these dogs will be
maintained in the SDA website’s registry.
The following is a breed description that was created by SDA representatives for both
dogs that SDA will recognize as Dutch Malinois and Dutch Herder/Shepherds. The only
major difference between these dogs is their color. Color will determine the breed name
for these dogs when entering the SDA registry
General Appearance
The Dutch Malinois is a sturdy, well-proportioned, muscular, and medium to large sized,
square dog. The Dutch Malinois gives the impression of a robust working dog of
incredible athletic ability. Coupled with this physical ability is an obvious intensity of
temperament and focus.
Characteristics
The Dutch Malinois is a working dog that lives to work. He is a quick learner and
tenacious by nature, which generally makes him a joy to train. Once trained, he is
always enthusiastic to perform the tasks commanded by his handler. Dutch Malinois’
working ethic is the result of generations of dedicated selective breeding programs
designed to produce a highly motivated working dog for police, military and home
protection purposes while maintaining a loving nature toward his human family. His
natural curiosity lends itself to outstanding search and detector work. The Dutch Malinois
is extremely agile and has proven to be a breed of overall sound health. His
extraordinary drive can be a blessing for the experienced trainer but a challenge for the
less experienced.
Head
The head is cleanly chiseled and proportional to the size of the dog. Males should appear
masculine and females feminine. The muzzle and skull are approximately the same
length.
Fault: a small, pointed, foxy head
SKULL-Medium width in proportion to the length: The forehead is typically flat but
may be slightly domed. When viewed from the front, the skull tapers from the ears
toward the muzzle.
MUZZLE-The muzzle is long and wedge shaped, with strong well-developed jaws. A
black muzzle is most desirable but lighter shades are acceptable.
STOP-Moderate
Fault: Excessive, or lack of, stop
NOSE-Black, with well-opened nostrils
Fault: Lack of external pigmentation
EYES-Medium-size, almond in shape, brown in color, dark is preferred but not required.
The look in the eyes is one of intensity and enthusiasm.
Fault: Very light or round eyes
EARS-High-set, triangular, carried well-pricked. The ears should be in proportion to the
length of the head and the size of the dog.
TEETH-Jaws should be well-developed and furnished with forty-two strong, white teeth
that meet in scissors bite.
Fault: Absence of molars or premolars.
Neck
The neck is distinct. The neck is slightly elongated and muscular. It widens gradually
towards the shoulders. The nape is slightly arched.
Forequarters
The Dutch Malinois has a solid skeletal structure, lean with strong musculature.
SHOULDERS-The shoulder blades are long and sloping, securely and flatly attached,
forming with the upper arm, an angle sufficient to insure free movement of the elbows.
ARMS-The upper arms lie close to the body. They move in a direction parallel to the
lengthwise axis of the body. The dog single tracks as speed increases.
FOREARMS-Long and well-muscled:
PASTERNS-Short, strong and slightly sloping:
FORE FEET-Round; the toes are curved and quite compact. The pads are dense and
elastic. The nails are strong and should be dark in color, preferably black.
CROUP-Very slightly sloped: Broad but not exaggerated:
ABDOMEN-Moderately developed neither hanging nor tucked up:
Hindquarters
Powerful without heaviness: The legs are perpendicular to the ground, moving in the
same plane as the forequarters. The dog single tracks as speed increases.
THIGHS-Broad and well-muscled:
STIFLE-Long, Broad, well-muscled: When viewed from the rear they should appear
parallel.
HOCKS-Short, broad and muscled: When viewed from the rear they should appear
parallel.
REAR PASTERNS-Solid and short. Dewclaws should be removed.
HAND FEET-Slightly oval, with the toes curved and very compact: Dense and elastic
pads. The nails are strong and should be dark, preferably black.
TAIL-The tail is well set and of medium length, extending to the hocks. The tail may
curve slightly towards the end. When aroused or excited the dog should raise the tail
higher and accentuate the curve.
Size
For males, 24”-27” is optimum but males as short as 23” or as tall as 28” are permitted.
For females, 22”-25” is optimum but females as short as 21” or as tall as 26” are
permitted.
Gait
The gait is ground covering, effortless and seemingly tireless. The Dutch Malinois is
seemingly always in a state of motion, and is capable of extended periods of work.
Because the Dutch Malinois/Shepherd is really a herding dog by nature, it is not unusual
for him to move in circles as opposed to always going straight.
Coat
The hair should be rich and dense, giving good protection against the elements. It should
be short on the head, the exterior of the ears and the lower parts of the legs. The coat
should conform to the body without standing out or hanging down.
Colors
Because of the nature of the gene pool comprising the Dutch Malinois/Shepherd, it is
possible to have a wide variety of colors. Everything from solid black, black with “tiger”
stripes, brown, brown with “tiger” stripes, black & brown, “red flame” fawn, fawn &
charcoal are to be expected and are acceptable. A black mask is desired in all dogs that
are light enough in pigment to make such a distinction possible.
Fault: White, or “Off-White” dogs are not acceptable.
Disqualifications
Bilateral or unilateral crypt orchid: Drooping or hanging ears. Males under 23” or over
28”: Females under 21” or over 26”: Lack of a temperament suitable to perform the
work for which the breed is known.