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Breed Characteristics
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Schipperke
| Nicknames | Spitzke, Spits, Spitske (All until 1888) |
| Country of Origin | Belgium |
| Weight | 12 - 18 lbs. (5.5 - 8 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | 10 - 13 in. (21 - 33 cm) |
| Coat | Schipperkes are double coated with a soft, fluffy undercoat that is covered by a harsher-feeling and longer outer coat. One of the breed characteristics is a long ruff that surrounds the neck and then a strip trails down towards the rear of the dog. They also have longer fur on their hind legs called culottes. |
| Colour | The only acceptable colour for Schipperkes is all black, but also comes in range of tans and fawns which are acceptable by some other clubs. |
| Litter Size | 2 - 3 puppies |
| Life Span | 12 – 15 years. Although many have been known to live much longer. |
| Origin & History | Schipperkes were first recognized as a formal breed in the 1880s, their standard being written in 1889. Much of what is known of their origins and early history comes from Chasse et Pêche (French for "Hunting and Fishing") magazine, articles of which were translated into English and published by the English magazine The Stockkeeper. The breed name of "Schipperke", in English-speaking nations, was thought to mean "little boatman". However while they were occasionally seen on barges it was not their original or primary function, and in the areas of Leuven and Brussels "schipper" was the word for shepherd, making the name translate as "little shepherd". Before the name "Schipperke" was officially taken, the breed was also known colloquially as "Spits" or "Spitzke", a name commonly used to describe a small dog with pointed ears. They were also occasionally called "Moorke", meaning "little black animal". Schipperkes are widely referred to in the United States, albeit erroneously, as "Belgian barge dogs" or "Belgian ship dogs." Apparently, however, their history dates to a seventeenth century black shepherd dog commonly called the Leuvenaar, a 40-pound dog often found in the Louvain region of Belgium and employed to guard flocks and transport. These dogs are apparently the foundation breed for both the modern, and smaller, Skipperke and the modern, and larger, Black Belgian Shepherd Dog, also known as the Groenendael. In World War II, the Belgian Resistance used the dogs to run messages between various resistance hideouts and cells, to which occupying Nazi Forces were none the wiser. A Schipperke is intermittently featured in the tiger-centric movie Two Brothers (2004). |
| Personality | The Schipperke is a quick, energetic little dog. It is high-spirited, alert and self-confident. Very devoted and loyal, especially with children. It really bonds to its master. Pet cats will be happily accepted and it is usually good with other dogs. The Schipperke is very smart, curious and mischievous. These dogs do exceptionally well on boats. Among the Schipperke's best qualities is the ability to defend its home against intruders—backing down from nobody, and being an excellent friend to children. Some can be difficult to housebreak. Socialize well to prevent them from becoming wary and aloof with strangers. Easy to train as it is intelligent and eager to learn. Oftentimes small dogs such as the Schipperke develop what is known as Small Dog Syndrome, varying degrees of human induced behaviors, where the dog believes he is pack leader to humans. When a dog is allowed to rule the home, it can develop behavior problems, such as, but not limited to, guarding, obsessive barking, separation anxiety, growling, snapping and even biting. Schipperkes that have been allowed to take over are said to have become hot-tempered, willful and protective. If someone new visits, they will adopt a watchful position and try to defend their territory, whether it is an apartment or a piece of land, against both two-legged and four-legged intruders. They may become obsessive barkers as they try and tell YOU what to do or try and TELL OTHERS to leave THEIR area. Schipperkes like to howl. After the initial bark to alert you, they need to be told enough is enough and to quiet down. Schipperkes that are given rules to follow, limits as to what they are and are not allowed to do, along with a consistent, firm pack leader, and a daily pack walk, will not develop these negative behaviors. Dogs that have already developed them will change for the better as soon as their canine instincts are being met. |
Care Requirements
| Health | The Schipperke has no particular health problems. The UK Kennel Club survey puts the median lifespan of the breed at 13 years old, with about 20% living to 15 years or more. Of the 36 deceased dogs in the survey, the oldest dog was 17 1/2 years old. Nonetheless, inactivity, lack of exercise and over-feeding are very harmful, and can lead to joint and skeletal problems and tooth, heart, lung or digestive conditions. Schipperke's primary orthopedic problem tends to be luxating patella and Legg-Perthes syndrome. Some Schipperkes have demonstrated tendencies to epilepsy, although there are no tests: these seem to be related to genetic transmission. The one caveat to the Schipperke's good health is MPS IIIB, a genetic mutation that occurs in at most 15% of the total breed population. It only occurs in Schipperkes. The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine has developed a test for the disease and began accepting samples in April 2003. Clinical signs appear between two and four years of age, and there are no known cures or treatments. The disease affects balance, negotiation of obstacles (such as stairs), and is similar to such lysosomal storage diseases in humans as Tay Sachs disease and Gaucher disease. The Schipperke is also prone to some other physical problems as reported by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. |
| Grooming | The Schipperke is very clean and pretty much takes care of its own grooming, but to keep the medium-length double-coat in top condition, comb and brush regularly with a firm bristle brush. Dry shampoo when necessary. They shed very little until the coat "blows," which can be as often as 3 times a year on females; less so on males and spayed females, especially as they age. This coat change is a sudden drop of ALL undercoat within about a 10-day period. One owner says "I've pulled out up to two shopping bags full of soft, down hair out of one 12-pound Schip! I find it easier and quicker to give them a hot bath than force air the coat two or three times during this week (always outside!) to get rid of all the loose, itchy hair before the dog leaves it all over the house. A groomer could do this for the person without a force dryer. They are literally naked and butt ugly for about 2-3 months, depending on the time of year and how much time they spend outside, for the hair to come back to a new lustrous coat." |
| Exercise | The Schipperke is an active and tireless breed. To be happy and mentally stable, they need to be taken on a daily, long walk or jog. They also enjoy play and getting a chance to run. This breed is very active indoors and will get a lot of its exercise running around your house. It will greatly enjoy running free off its lead in a safely fenced-in yard or a park. |
| Other Considerations | Schipperkes are good dogs for apartment life. They are very active indoors. These dogs are incredibly quick and it is a good idea to have a fenced yard. |
