The Schipperke breed is small in size but possesses a big character. They may look fat but that's just their shape.
The Schipperke's Behavior
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Source: Wikipedia.
Recommended for: pet, working dog
The Schipperke dog breed is an exciting one. Though small, it has no knowledge of its size and believes it is in charge. Schipperkes have varying characters. Some will challenge other bigger dogs while some will not care if they are there. They have been described as courageous, independent, even willful. Life will be a battle of wills if they are left untrained. Even so, they still need lots of attention and activities because they have great energy despite their size and have a very lively curiosity about everything. Yet despite their energy they can be quiet bedside companions to ill family members.
Remember that breed only provides a general clue as to any individual dog's actual behavior. Make sure to get to know dogs well before bringing them into your home.
The Schipperke's Physical Characteristics
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Here are some of the characteristics of the Schipperke breed as determined by the American Kennel Club's published breed standard.
- Size: males 11-13 inches, females 10 - 12 inches
- Coat: abundant, straight, slightly harsh, soft and dense undercoat
- Color: black outer coat, slightly lighter shade for undercoat
- Eyes: small, oval, dark brown
- Ears: small, triangular, set high
- Muzzle: length is slightly shorter than skull length, tapering towards nose
- Nose: small, black
- Tail: not visually discernible
The Schipperke's Origins and History
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Source: Wikipedia.
Country/Region of Origin: Belgium
Original purpose: all-around working dog
Name: English school of thought holds that it means "little captain" while a Belgian version has it that it means "little shepherd" (from Flemish "Scheperke" or "Schapocke"). Once colloquially known as Spitzke, the name was changed to differentiate it from the German Spitz.
Historical notes: Schipperke dogs originated as far back as the early 16th century. They were first formed as a breed in the early 19th century. Much of what is known about them is derived from Chasse et Peche magazine articles.