Schipperke - 4leggers.com

The Schipperke originated in Belgium where written history shows they were exhibited as early as 1690. The origin of the breed is unknown, but one theory is that it evolved from the same ancestor as the Belgian Sheepdogs. Since many Belgians know them as “Spitzke” or “Spitz,” some believe that they have a common background with the other spitz breeds. In Belgium they rode the river barges where they were watchdogs and ratters, hence their name “Schipperke” which is probably from the Flemish word “schip” meaning boat. Thus they were nicknamed “Little Captain.” In Belgium they were also the companions and house dogs of businessmen and tradesmen.

Schipperkes were recognized by the American Kennel Club in the early 1900s. In the United States, they are a black breed without a tail. They have natural erect ears, dark brown eyes, and a mischievous but not mean look, which fits their personality perfectly. As adults, the males measure 11 – 13 inches at the shoulders and the females 10 – 12 inches. This equates to a 10 – 16 pound bundle of enthusiastic, joyful and willful dog.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Schipperke is easily recognized by its unique coat pattern and personality. The adult coat should be short on the face and legs. It should be moderate in length on the body except for the ruff on the back of the neck, the cape around the neck, the jabot that extends down between the front legs, and the culottes on the rear, which are all longer. The undercoat should be dense and the guard hairs slightly harsh to the touch.

The Schipperke character is that of a little watchdog, which makes them very effective early warning systems. They can be enthusiastic barkers if not taught differently. They are extremely active, agile and always interested in what is going on around them. While they love a large yard in which to run and play, they do make excellent apartment dogs if given sufficient exercise. They definitely need to be taught not to dash outdoors and to come when called.

A list of all the dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club: