Schipperke

Overall description of the breed

The Schipperke is an extremely ancient dog breed originating from the Flemish region of Belgium. Its presence can be traced back to the 16th century in various provinces of Brussels, where it was used as a guardian and vermin hunter on cargo boats. Energetic and swift, this popular small dog was particularly favored by boatmen, who utilized it as an excellent watchdog.

There are resemblances to the Belgian Shepherd Groenendael, as both are descendants of the Louvain Shepherd, also known as Leauvenaar, a breed that is now extinct.

The selection of the Schipperke evolved from this widely spread shepherd dog of the time, systematically favoring smaller specimens and crossbreeding them to emphasize this physical trait. The first representative of the breed was introduced in the province of Liège at the end of the 19th century, achieving immediate success. Simultaneously, several individuals were exported to the United Kingdom and North America during the same period.

In 1888, the first official club was founded in Belgium. Concurrently, the breed was registered in the Saint-Hubert Origin Book. However, it took another half-decade for the International Cynological Federation to definitively register it on October 27, 1954.

The Schipperke, also known as the Spitzke, belongs to the small dog breeds. It greatly resembles the Belgian Shepherd, but in miniature form and often tailless. Extremely dynamic, it possesses a lean and well-developed musculature while maintaining a light and agile appearance. Its body length is equal to its height, creating a square. Its build is robust and consistent, with a notably developed chest extending deep down to the elbow line.

It is a resilient and sturdy small dog with a strong bone structure and vigorous limbs. Its backline is straight and short, featuring a distinctly marked withers. Its head is proportional to the rest of its body, broad and deep. The muzzle is of medium size, tapering from the skull to the tip, with a slightly marked stop. Its V-shaped ears are straight and stand erect on the top of its head. Most Schipperkes are born tailless, although some may have a short tail.

Its coat is particularly abundant, thick, and silky, with denser fur around the neck and chest area, complemented by a dense and tightly packed undercoat. The only color accepted by the standards is jet black.

The Schipperke is a very affectionate dog closely connected to its family. It is an excellent companion, although its assertive temperament, despite its small size, may manifest towards strangers.

Naturally wary of strangers, it excels as a guard and alert dog. It won't hesitate to loudly alert you in case of an abnormal situation, which can result in problems with neighbors if this characteristic trait is not controlled by its owners.

The Schipperke requires a lot of attention and time. It is an inexhaustible companion that needs to exert itself intensely each day to be fully content, lest it becomes destructive due to boredom. Its education must be strict and consistent, establishing rules from an early age so that it integrates well into society and quickly comprehends its boundaries.

Faithful and loyal, it is an excellent family dog, caring towards children and devoted to its masters. It will always be eager to accompany you everywhere and engage in your activities with great attentiveness.

As an adult, the Schipperke weighs between 3 and 8 kg (6.6 to 18.6 lb) and measures between 22 and 32 cm (8.6" to 12.6") at the withers.