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The Schipperke is an agile, active watchdog and hunter of vermin. A
high spirited and energetic breed, the Schipperke is somewhat
protective. Very loyal and devoted to his master, this alert little
fellow will protect his territory. This breed barks at the sight of
strangers, and loves to howl. The Schipperke was originally raised
in Flanders, Belgium by a canal boat captain named Renssens. They
are thought to have descended from the black
Belgian Sheepdog. Over
time, as they were bred to be smaller than the
Belgian Sheepdog,
they became their own breed. They were bred to be small in order to
be good watchdogs and hunters for the boats, as well as being good
companions for the captains, who spent many months each year at sea.
In fact, Schipperke even means "little captain" in Flemish. By the
late 1800's they had become very popular house dogs for the
Belgians, and it was around this time that they were introduced to
the US and Great Britain. Today, they are mostly used as companion
dogs, and still are often favored by those who spend a lot of time
on boats. In 1929, The Schipperke Club of America, Inc. was founded.
At the first meeting, the club applied for, and was accepted for
membership in the American Kennel Club.
General Appearance
The Schipperke is a small, thickset, tail-less dog with a thick
double coat and a ruff around his neck. In color the Schipperke is
solid black, which is the only color accepted by the AKC, however,
the breed also comes in a handsome range of tans and fawns which are
acceptable abroad. The body is short and compact and should look
square when viewed from the side. When viewed in silhouette, the
topline appears to slope gently down from the withers. The chest
should be wide and should reach to the elbows. The head is shaped
like a fox's - a wedge with a pointed muzzle. It has a wide,
slightly rounded forehead. The small oval eyes are dark brown with a
mischievous, questioning and alert expression. The small, erect ears
are triangular in shape. If born with a tail, the tail is docked.
The nose is always black. The teeth should meet in a scissors or
level bite. Dewclaws should be removed from the front legs and must
be removed from the hind legs if you wish to show the dog.
Temperament
Loyal, alert, and affectionate, the Schipperke is a small dog with
plenty of character and personality. High spirited, playful, and
inquisitive, the Schipperke has bags of courage and seems to think
that he is much bigger than he actually is. These dogs are best
suited to those with some experience of dog ownership, as they can
be mischievous, stubborn, and even manipulative - he requires an
assertive and confident owner to provide firm, consistent, yet
positive training. He is an intelligent dog and this makes him easy
to train. The Schipperke is an alert creature and will bark to raise
the alarm, making him an effective watchdog. He is intelligent and
quick to learn, but his independent streak and willful nature can
make training something of a challenge for the more inexperienced.
Nevertheless, these dogs are devoted and love to be around people,
making them entertaining and loving family pets. Housebreaking the
Schipperke can be difficult in some cases, and some owners may find
themselves facing a challenge when it comes to grooming and handling
these dogs - again, effective and consistent handling and training
is important. The Schipperke is a born climber and digger, and
therefore needs proper supervision and a safe, secure place to play
and exercise when not on a leash. With gentle, older children the
Schipperke should get on well, but he is very way around strangers. Although the Schipperke can be a handful, with
the right owner and leadership he can make a great pet and
companion.
Grooming
For those with little time for grooming the Schipperke is a good
choice, as the grooming requirements for this breed are low. You
should brush his coat once a week to keep it in good condition,
although this will need to be increased during periods of heavy
shedding. The Schipperke is a medium shedder, and sheds more heavily
on a seasonal basis, so he is not ideal for those with allergies.
Health Problems and Life Expectancy
Schipperkes are fairly healthy dogs. However the breed is prone to
hypothyroidism, epilepsy, hip dysplasia and hip sockets that tend to
slip. They are also prone to Cataracts, Legg Calve Perthes,
Progressive Retinal Atrophy and MPS 111B. MPS 111B is a fairly newly
discovered disease, which affects about 15% of the Schipperke
population. There is a genetic test is available for this disease,
but only through the University of Pennsylvania. The breed was
registered with the AKC in 1904.
Activity Level
A fenced yard would be best for this high-energy breed, but will do
well in apartment life. The Schipperke loves to run and is tireless,
so they do require regular walks and play times, preferably off lead
in a yard or park.
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