Schipperke

Vital Statistics:

Place of Origin: Belgium

Group: Companion

Height: males 11-13 in., females 10-12 in.

Weight: up to 18 lbs.

Life span: 15-16 yrs.

Trainability: high

Good with children: yes. socialize early & supervise

Good with other pets: yes with dogs & cats, may chase other pets

The Schipperke was bred in Belgium by a canal boat captain. It purpose was to keep the rat and vermin population away from the boats.

What does the Schipperke look like?

The Schipperke is a small, compact dog with a fox-like face. Height is 10-13 inches and weight 12-18 lbs. Its eyes are small and dark brown. Ears are triangular, small and erect. The Schipperke has no tail. Hair is short on the head and legs but has an abundant mane. The Schipperke sheds heavily. Color is black.

What is the Schipperke’s temperament?

The Schipperke is independent, alert and energetic. It must be trained with a firm hand and a lot of patience. It’s important that the dog knows you are the pack leader. They may not be good with small animals as they instinctively chase them. They are good with children when raised with them but suspicious of strangers. They may take an undue amount of time to housebreak. They are loyal and loving with their family, have an abundance of energy and are very curious.

What are the Schipperke’s uses?

The Schipperke has been used for herding and hunting and is an excellent guard dog in spite of its size. It has been entered in obedience and agility trials. The Schipperke loves being out on boats and is a good mate for fishermen. They were bred to hunt rats on barges and their name means “Little Skipper.”

Possible Health Issues

Eye problems such as progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, hip dysplasia, Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease, hypothyroidism, epilepsy, Cushing’s Disease, diabetes, autoimmune issues, mucopolysacchardosis Type 111B (missing or defective enzymes)