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The interesting history of the Schipperke dates back from Belgium in the 1600s, where he was a
companion dog from the beginning. Although the Schipperke is small in stature, he is not short on intelligence or devotion.
Definitely a high energy dog, the Schipperke is extremely inquisitive. He leaves nothing unexplored until he has
familiarized himself with everything around him. It is best to have a securely fenced yard for your Schipperke
to run and play in. This will keep him safe while still allowing him to explore and burn off excess energy.
The Schipperke temperament shows him to be a positive dog, exhibiting very strong likes and dislikes. He is fond of
children and frequently will attach himself to the children of the family. The Schipperke is usually a long lived dog
with many living to be 16 to 18 years of age. The average lifespan is approximately 14 years. The
breed is generally considered to be one of few health problems. However, like any breed, they are not completely
immune to health problems. When searching for a Schipperke, be sure to ask the breeder if there have been any known
occurances of health problems within the line. A reputable breeder will be honest regarding any known occurances of
problems. Some health problems to ask about would be epilepsy, luxating patella, hip dysplasia, diabetes,
autoimmune problems, thyroid problems, any sort of eye issues, or MPSIIIB. Obtaining your Schipperke
from a reputable breeder will help decrease the risk of a health problem as a truly reputable breeder breeds very carefully
and selectively in order to avoid these problems. The Schipperke is truly a unique breed. In appearance, he is a small, compact, thick-set dog
with a distinctive silhouette unlike any other breed. His black, thick coat grows in several distinct lengths, in a
unique pattern, which is enhanced by a double coat....longer, harsher outer hairs over a soft, fluffier undercoat. The
Schipperke head is foxlike and his expression is quizzical. You can almost see the mischief dancing in
their eyes. :) Although occasionally a Schipperke may be born without a tail, most are surgically removed according
to the breed standard. Schipperkes range from 10 to 13 inches at the shoulder and weigh up to 18 lbs.
The females are generally on the smaller end of the scale. The breed is often referred to as "a big
dog in a small package". They are a very hardy breed and don't seem to realize that they are
small in size. The Schipperke is what
I refer to as a wash and wear breed. Because of their double coat with the harsher outercoat, they do not attract
dirt and therefore require infrequent baths. Frequent brushing will help to maintain the shiny black coat. I
prefer to use a pin brush without rounded tips for frequent brushing. For a dog that is not shown, I recommend a monthly
bath using tepid water (not warm and not cold) just to help keep the coat in tip top condition and cut down on the shedding
around the house. These dogs do shed and generally completely blow their coats once a year. Weekly
warm baths will help during this shedding phase. This is a time when using warm water is a good thing. :)
The quicker the old coat sheds out, the sooner the new coat will grow back in. Be sure to use a mild shampoo and
rinse completely. Blow drying on a cool setting will help dry the dog more quickly during the winter months and
prevent the dog from catching a chill. Never blow dry using hot air as it dries the coat and encourages
shedding. The Schipperke, being the
intelligent dog that he is, can also be quite stubborn. They are smart enough to know exactly what they do and
do not want to do. :) I recommend puppy obedience classes for every Schipperke puppy whether you intend to pursue obedience
or not. If you only go through the beginner level, the classes will be beneficial to both you and your puppy.
A basic obedience class almost always results in a better adjusted dog who can really be a part of the family and a pleasure
to live with. It can also be a great bonding experience between you and your dog. Schipperkes are very much like
children and need positive guidance to be the very best companion that they can be. :) Raise your Schipperke
with love, patience, and guidance and you will have a loyal friend for life. They truly are a special breed. :)
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