I have copies of several breedstandards in French. As I was interested in seing what has changed and what requirements came into play at what time. Therefore I am currently translating these standards one bit at the time.
Please find below the bit on general appearance
1892
The Belgian Shepherd is an intelligent and rustic dog, adapted to outdoor life, built to withstand the weather and seasonal changes which are characteristic for the Belgian climate. As well as its innate skill at guarding flocks, it also possesses the highly prized qualities of the best guard dog of property. If needed, he is, without hesitation, a stubborn and fierce defender of his master. The Belgian Shepherd is a watchful and active dog, constantly in motion. He has the tendency to move in circles rather than in a straight line.
1909
The Belgian Shepherd is an intelligent and rustic dog, adapted to outdoor life, built to withstand the weather and seasonal changes which are characteristic for the Belgian climate. As well as its innate skill at guarding flocks, it also possesses the highly prized qualities of the best guard dog of property. If needed, he is, without hesitation, a stubborn and fierce defender of his master. The Belgian Shepherd is a watchful and active dog, constantly in motion. He has the tendency to move in circles rather than in a straight line.
1923
The Belgian Shepherd is an intelligent and rustic dog, adapted to outdoor life, built to withstand the weather and seasonal changes which are characteristic for the Belgian climate. As well as its innate skill at guarding flocks, it also possesses the highly prized qualities of the best guard dog of property. If needed, he is, without hesitation, a stubborn and fierce defender of his master. The Belgian Shepherd is a watchful and active dog, with a questioning look showing intelligence. Constantly in motion, he looks like he is never tired
1949
Symmetric built dog, harmoniously proportioned, powerful without being heavy. His behavior shows an intelligent animal, his exterior indicates a rustic dog adapted to outdoor life, built to withstand the weather and seasonal changes which are characteristic for the Belgian climate. As well as its innate skill at guarding flocks, it also possesses the highly prized qualities of the best guard dog of property. If needed, he is, without hesitation, a stubborn and fierce defender of his master. He has the tendency to move in circles rather than in a straight line.
1956
The Belgian Shepherd is a mediolineal dog, intelligent and rustic, adapted to outdoor life, built to withstand the weather and seasonal changes which are characteristic for the Belgian climate. By harmony of its appearance, he carries his head proudly, the Belgian shepherd gives the impression of such robust elegance which has become the inheritance of selected representatives of a working breed Its innate skill at guarding flocks, it also possesses the highly prized qualities of the best guard dog of property. If needed, he is, without hesitation, a stubborn and fierce defender of his master. The Belgian Shepherd is a watchful and active dog, with a questioning look showing intelligence.
1978
The Belgian Shepherd is a mediolineal dog, intelligent and rustic, adapted to outdoor life, built to withstand the weather and seasonal changes which are characteristic for the Belgian climate. By harmony of its appearance, he carries his head proudly, the Belgian shepherd gives the impression of such robust elegance which has become the inheritance of selected representatives of a working breed Its innate skill at guarding flocks, it also possesses the highly prized qualities of the best guard dog of property. If needed, he is, without hesitation, a stubborn and fierce defender of his master. The Belgian Shepherd is a watchful and active dog, with a questioning look showing intelligence.
1989
The Belgian Shepherd is a mediolineal dog, intelligent and rustic, adapted to outdoor life, built to withstand the weather and seasonal changes which are characteristic for the Belgian climate. By harmony of its appearance, he carries his head proudly, the Belgian shepherd gives the impression of such robust elegance which has become the inheritance of selected representatives of a working breed Its innate skill at guarding flocks, it also possesses the highly prized qualities of the best guard dog of property. If needed, he is, without hesitation, a stubborn and fierce defender of his master. The Belgian Shepherd is a watchful and active dog, with a questioning look showing intelligence.
2001
The Belgian Shepherd is a mediolineal dog, harmoniously proportioned, combining elegance and power, of medium size, with dry, strong muscle, fitting into a square, rustic, used to the open air life and built to resist the frequent atmospheric variations of the Belgian climate.
Through the harmony of its shape and its high head-carriage, the Belgian Shepherd should give the impression of that elegant strength which has become the heritage of the selected representatives of a working breed. The Belgian Shepherd is to be judged in its natural stance, without physical contact with the handler.
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He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.
When everything from the head is translated, I will post it again.
Logged
He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.
Author
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Note also that the word 'elegance' only comes in the later standard 
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