The Schipperke is a small sheepdog from Belgium. Its fox-like appearance does not hide its kinship with the Belgian Shepherd Dog, with which it shares a common ancestor. Like most sheepdogs, the Schipperke is a very active and very curious dog which, thanks to its high-pitched barks, which will alert us to any unforeseen event, is ideal for guarding. Despite its small size, the Schipperke needs to move on a daily basis and it would be better if you have a garden if you want to adopt one.
If you love this dog and want to adopt one, don't miss this PlanetAnimal file in which we tell you everything you need to know about him.
Origin
- Europe
- Belgium
FCI Nomenclature
- Group I
Physical Characteristics
- End
- Proportional
Size
- Little
Height
- 15-35
Adult Weight
- 3-10
Life expectancy
- 12-14
Recommended physical activity
- Average
Character
- Society
- Active
Ideal for
- House
- The guard
Recommended climate
- Temperate
Hair type
- Medium
- Smooth
- Hard
Origin of the Schipperke
" Since they have a common ancestor, the history of this breed is intimately linked to that of Belgian Shepherds. Schipperke means little shepherd in Flemish, and the ancestor from which these dogs derive, and all Belgian shepherds, answered to the name of leuvenaar."
In the 17th century, these dogs were the favorite pets of shoemakers in the Saint-Géry district of Brussels, with whom they were responsible for reducing populations of rats, mice and other pests. At the time, their tails were amputated, a cruel tradition that is increasingly falling into disuse.
Later, Queen Marie Henrica took a liking to this breed, which made the Schipperke one of the most sought-after dog breeds in Belgium and one of the most popular in Europe .Today, this breed is not as famous, but it enjoys great popularity in its home country as well as in other European countries.
Physical characteristics of the Schipperke
The breed standard does not indicate a specific size. Nevertheless, the Schipperke is a small dog of about 29 centimeters. Females usually have a height at the withers of 25 to 30 centimeters and that of males is usually between 28 and 33 centimeters.
Their weight can vary from 3 to 9 kilograms, the average being between 4 and 7 kilograms. Their body is short and wide, but not excessively bulky or heavy. The length from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttock is equal to the height at the withers. As they are thin-boned, their legs are noticeably thin compared to the rest of the body.
The lupoid-shaped (wolf-like) head is wedge-shaped and broad. She is not elongated and the muzzle is short.Their nose is small and black in color. Their eyes are dark brown, small and almond-shaped. They have a playful, intense and piercing expression. Their ears are erect, pointed, small and triangular.
The tail of the Schipperke is high and long and it reaches at least the hock. The tail is usually drooping but, when the dog runs, it rises. In all cases, tails carried curled or carried on the back are accepted by the breed standard. Some dogs are also born without a tail or with rudimentary tails, two cases that are also accepted by the breed standard.
The coat of these dogs is medium length on most parts of the body, but it will always be short on the ears, head, front of forelegs, hocks and hindquarters. On the neck, the hair is longer and forms a kind of collar characteristic of the breed. It is double coated, with the outer coat being harsh, straight, dense and firm.The undercoat is soft and dense.
Character of the Schipperke
In general, these dogs are curious, full of vitality and vigilant. Although independent, they also need lots of company.
Schipperkes are very friendly dogs with members of their family, but they can be slightly distant with strangers. As they are wary of strangers and tend to bark at the slightest noise, they are very good watchdogs. Provided they have been properly socialized, they are also able to get along well with other dogs and pets. Remember that to avoid the appearance of behavioral problems with both humans and other animals, it is important to socialize these dogs from an early age.
When these dogs are well socialized and educated, they will adapt to almost any type of family.However, if you have small children at home, it may be best not to adopt one of these dogs as the smallest in the house tend to be rough with dogs and the Schipperke is just too puny. to be able to withstand badly placed blows.
Caring for a Schipperke
These dogs lose their hair regularly, and even more during moulting periods which can be repeated up to 3 times a year. In times when they do not lose their hair, weekly brushing is enough to maintain the coat. On the other hand, during the moulting seasons, it will be necessary to brush it every day and to bathe it more frequently in order to eliminate the dead undercoat.
The Schipperke needs a lot of exercise despite its small size, but luckily its needs can be easily met. A good daily walk or a few moments of play can allow these little sheepdogs to spend their energy.However, care must be taken not to put too much strain on the dogs, especially during jumping exercises, so that they do not hurt their hips.
Education of the Schipperke
These dogs aren't the best canine students in the world, but that doesn't mean they aren't smart. They are simply more easily distracted than other dogs. As with other dogs, traditional training methods do not work well for them because they are based on correcting bad behavior through punishment. Much better results are achieved when dogs' natural instincts are harnessed and positive training methods, such as clicker training, are used.
Because they're small and come from a line of herding dogs, the Schipperke doesn't usually cause much trouble. However, they do tend to bark, and their high-pitched, constant barking can be a problem for many people, especially if they live in an apartment building.A key moment in his education will be, as you will have understood, learning to inhibit barking (especially if you live in an apartment). However, it is better if you live in a house with a garden because this environment will allow your Schipperke to be happy and flourish.
Schipperke He alth
Although this breed does not tend to suffer from many hereditary diseases, it is not exempt from them either. Among the diseases to which it is susceptible, we can mention:
- Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (deformity of the hip-femur joint),
- Hip Dysplasia
- Distichiasis
- Cataracts
- Progressive retinal atrophy
Due to the breed's predisposition to hip problems, you need to control your Schipperke's weight.
Pictures of Schipperke
