Schipperke: temperament, size, care and health

About the Schipperke

The Schipperke is a small black dog that looks a little like a miniature fox: a sharp muzzle, small erect ears, a stocky foxy body and a distinctive thick ruff of fur around the neck that gives it a shouldered outline. Most are born without a tail, or have it docked in places where the practice is allowed. Adults stand about 10 to 13 inches tall and weigh 10 to 16 pounds. The coat is black in the American Kennel Club standard.

The breed was a watchdog and ratter on the canal boats of Belgium. It still behaves like a small guard with a great deal of nerve, always investigating, always on duty. Owners enjoy its liveliness and its loyalty.

Temperament and family life

A Schipperke is curious about everything and tends to be in charge of its household. It is affectionate with its own people, reserved with strangers and highly alert to anything that moves, so it makes an excellent warning system. Barking is frequent and sharp.

With children the breed can be good company if they are old enough to be gentle and consistent, but a Schipperke may nip or herd running toddlers. Some are fine with other dogs, though many are bossy, and the prey drive is strong enough to put small pets such as hamsters or rabbits at risk. Without enough to do, a Schipperke finds its own entertainment, and that usually involves digging, chewing or escaping.

Exercise and training

This is an energetic small dog that needs a long daily walk plus time to run and explore, preferably in a fenced yard. It enjoys agility, tracking, herding-style games and anything involving problem solving. Escape skills are impressive, so fences should be tall and secure, and walks should be on a leash.

The breed is intelligent but headstrong. Training should be consistent, short and varied, with rewards rather than force. Teach recall early and do not rely on it near roads. Socialize thoroughly as a puppy to avoid excessive suspicion, and begin teaching a "quiet" cue early. Crate training helps in the early months, as a bored young Schipperke is inventive.

Grooming and shedding

The coat is easy to maintain for most of the year. A weekly brushing with a comb keeps it clean, and bathing is rarely needed. The heavy shedding comes once or twice a year, when the undercoat is lost in a short, dramatic period known as blowing coat; during those weeks daily brushing and a bath help remove loose hair.

Do not clip the coat. Check the ears, trim the nails and brush the teeth as for any breed. Schipperkes are clean dogs and many dislike getting dirty.

Health

The breed is known for mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB, a rare inherited storage disease for which DNA testing exists, along with hypothyroidism, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, epilepsy and some eye conditions. Responsible breeders test for the genetic disease and screen hips, thyroid and eyes.

This is general information about the breed. A veterinarian is the person to ask about any particular dog.

History

The Schipperke is generally traced to Belgium, particularly the region around Brussels and Flanders, where it was kept by boatmen and tradespeople. The name is often translated as "little captain" or "little boatman," although the origin of the word is debated. A breed standard was written in Belgium in 1889, and the American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1904. Its ancestry is often linked to the local black sheepdogs of the region.

Is the Schipperke right for you?

A Schipperke suits an active adult or couple who want a small, bold, entertaining dog and will provide exercise, fencing and consistent training. It is not a good fit for someone who needs a quiet dog, who is away for long hours or who has very young children or small caged pets.

Compare it with the more easygoing Keeshond, the larger Belgian Sheepdog that shares its homeland, and the herding spitz called the Norwegian Buhund.