Schipperke

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Size: Small
Other Names: Spitzke (until 1888), Spits (until 1888), Spitske (until 1888)
Country of Origin: Belgium
Accreditation:
American Kennel Club (AKC): Non-Sporting
Canadian Kennel Club (CKC): Non-Sporting
United Kennel Club (UKC): Companion Dog
Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC): Non-Sporting
The Kennel Club (KC): Utility
Kennel Union of Southern Africa (KUSA): Utility
National Kennel Club (NKC): Recognized
New Zealand Kennel Club (NZKC): Non-Sporting

The Schipperke is a small, square, tailless-looking Belgian barge dog with a dense black double coat, a ruff and culottes, and small erect triangular ears. The outline is fox-like rather than toy-like.

A small barge watchdog who can live in an apartment if you accept his bark; a dense coat that sheds and a hallway voice larger than his outline.

The Schipperke is a small watchdog and ratter from the canal barges of Flanders. The name is often explained as little captain or little shepherd. The AKC places it in the Non-Sporting Group; the UKC classes it as a Companion Dog.

Height: 10–13 inches
Weight: 10–16 pounds
Color: Black
Coat: Abundant double coat, shorter on the face, longer on the ruff and hindquarters
Lifespan: 13–15 years
Litter size: 3–5 puppies

Temperament

Schipperkes are typically busy, curious, and vocal. They notice everything and will comment on it. They need more activity than a quiet lap-dog life.

Training

They learn quickly and will take advantage of soft rules. Keep sessions short and give the dog a job.

Care and grooming

Brush weekly, more often when the undercoat blows. The coat is not a high-maintenance clip.

Shedding

Seasonal and moderate to heavy.

Health

Schipperkes may develop Legg-Calve-Perthes disease and a hereditary MPS IIIB storage disease in some lines. Ask breeders about testing.

Crosses that include the Schipperke

These hybrid pages list this breed as a parent. Open a name to see the other contributing breed.

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