Understanding Correct Chiseling,
the Cheeks and Muzzle
This section explains the following standard descriptions of the head, skull
and muzzle :
| "Well chiseled, skin taut, long without exaggeration.....
Top of skull flattened rather than rounded, the width approximately the same
as, but not wider than the length.... Muzzle moderately pointed, avoiding
any tendency toward snippiness or cheekiness. Jaws strong and powerful."
Understanding the role of the zygomatic arch, head width, correct
chiseling, and a good muzzle will help one to recognize good Belgian head
structure and understand what makes it so. |
The Zygomatic Arch
Plate #31
 The
lower jaw is held in place with the help of a bone on each side of the face
called the Zygomatic arch. The Zygomatic arch is shown in yellow color on
the drawing. This arched bone allows muscle formation to adhere to it and it
is this muscle that joins the jaws and head together and gives them
strength. While this bone serves a very important function and should
be strong, in the Tervuren the Zygomatic should not be pronounced, or bowed
out from the head.
If the zigomatics are not held close in to the head, this is an
indication that the head itself is likely wider than the standard calls for.
Additionally, the greater the size and protrusion of a bone, the more muscle
mass can be attached to it. Therefore, pronounced zigomatics would give both
the head and jaws too much power. The Tervuren should not have a broad
head or great power in its jaws like the Bull-type breeds or the Rottweiler,
for example. Or, even so much as the German Shepherd Dog. The Tervuren
working style is that of a very agile dog that is quick and has fast
reactions. So while the jaws themselves are to be strongly built and it's
bite is certainly effective, it's working style should not be that of a dog
with massive gripping power.
By having a Zygomatic that lies close to the head, both the
head width is kept in check, and there will be a corresponding reduction of
muscle mass, which also helps keep the cheeks flat. |
Head Width
Proper head width is an important feature of a good Tervuren head. The
width of the head should be approximately the same as, but never wider, than
the length. By length here we are referring to the length from the occiput
between the ears to the stop, not including the muzzle. In addition to
pronounced zigomatics adding to head width, broad backskulls are also seen
in dogs with wide heads.
Additionally, the head should be flat on top. The stop is moderate but
apparent, and should be confined to the area between the eyes and not be
long and sloping, nor abrupt. A stop that begins below the bottom of the
eyes, or continues beyond the eyebrows, is incorrect. An pronounced stop
indicates too heavy of a topskull. The planes of the head and muzzle are
straight and parallel to each other. |
| The term "broad head" in the Belgian Tervuren, then,
is often associated with either a broad backskull, and/or a pronounced
Zygomatic arch. "Cheekiness" refers to the lower jaw area when it
lacks cleanness and is wide. Heavy muscle attachment running from a
pronounced Zygomatic to the lower jaw beneath it is usually seen in dogs
that are cheeky. |
Chiseling
|
The Tervuren head is well chisled. Clean and lean but strong jaws, and
correct zigomatics that do not protrude contribute to a correct and "well-chisled"
head. The area most commonly referred to when a breed specialist talks
about "chiseling", is shown above in blue color, most especially the
darker blue. This is the area that transitions the muzzle to the cheeks
and head. Good chiseling here makes for a smooth, tight and clean blending
of the muzzle to the head and cheeks. It is observed when one sees the
muzzle and jaws continue in a very smooth, clean transition into the head
without flaring out.
It does not imply the head should be too narrow, but rather that the
lines along the muzzle to and including the head are clean and quite flat.
This chiseling cuts jaw strength, and will assure the correct power
of the jaw for the Tervuren. This chiseling also contributes to keeping the
Zygomatic arch in closer to the head as is desired, giving the cheeks a flat
appearance and preventing excessive head width.
A correct muzzle with strong jaws, combined with good chiseling and flat
cheeks result in a correct Tervuren head that is strong and very efficient
without any heaviness or excessive power. It is also quite beautiful. |
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| plate c1 a bitch
with excellent chiseling and zigomatics |
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#32 above
These bitches have excellent chiseling and zygomatics.
#33 above |
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#34 this bitch has beautiful clean cheeks and
shows nice strength of jaw without a heavy head. |
#35 This young male has correct flat cheeks, His
chiseling is very good, if not perfect. |
#35a Notice the
chiseling under the eye. This dog has good head width for the breed and very
good chiseling. |
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#36 Lack of chiseling makes the muzzle begin to
widen noticeably before joining the head and makes the head too wide in the
jaws. This bitch has a broad head and pronounced zygomatics. |
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