About The Schipperke

ABOUT THE SCHIPPERKE

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 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 Schipperke 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 Schipperke 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. 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.