Small
15 Years
9 Kg
Utility Dogs
Alert, Curious, Energetic, Intelligent, Loyal
The Schipperke is a square-proportioned, small, cobby dog with a sharp foxy expression and a distinctive coat. It has a rounded skull with little stop, a muzzle that tapers to a black and small nose. Prominent facial attributes include oval and expressive dark brown eyes and triangular, stiffly erect ears. A short but strong neck rests on a muscular shoulder carries the head proudly and with ease. The front legs are perfectly straight while the back legs are muscular with well-developed thighs and small cat-like feet that provide sturdy support to the broad chested body. The breed may be born without a tail or is commonly docked very short in keeping with the standard. Its double coat produces a noticeable mane and frill, cape and good culottes on the back of thighs, forming a slope from the head to the rump. It is longer on the nape of the neck and shoulders, chest, and back of the hind legs. The usual colour is black but the breed
IntelligenceAll dog breeds have different levels of intellect. Some dog breeds; working dogs in particular, are very independent thinkers and have been evolved to be very intelligent. Typically, a highly intelligent dog does well in obedience training and other activities. A highly intelligent dog can be very demanding and do require lots of physical and mental stimulation. If you’re looking for a relatively laid-back dog, that doesn’t require lots of mental and physical stimulation, then you must fully understand the level of intelligence of your dog breed of choice.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, you must fully understand their intellect levels and their specific levels of energy. To keep your dog well-balanced and happy, their needs must be met and maintained.
Exercise NeedsAll dog breeds have different needs when it comes to the level of exercise they require. For the high energy dogs; which are your typical working dogs, they have a lot of energy and require lots of daily exercise along with plenty of mental stimulation. A highly energetic dog breed would suit an individual or family that is equally as active and loves the outdoors. There are also breeds that have relatively low exercise needs, such as toy dog breeds. Although they require daily exercise and mental stimulation, they’re just as happy chilling at home with their loved ones. This type of dog breed would suit an individual or family that prefers the peace and quiet and relaxation.
Before deciding on your chosen dog breed, Mypetzilla recommends that you research the exercise needs and whether you’re well equipped before committing to buying or adopting a particular dog breed.
Dogs HealthThere are several dog breeds that are known and potentially predisposed to developing health related conditions. Sensible breeding can help prevent the onset of health related conditions and this should always be taken into condition when researching your dog breed of choice. Before committing to a dog, you should speak to the breeder about any health related conditions that may affect the dog you’re looking to buy or adopt. You can also request to see any test results from genetic testing.
Child FriendlyThere are many dog breeds that tolerate children really well and are not affected by the constant noise and need for play-time. However, there are some dog breeds that don’t do very well with children and can become frustrated and snappy. That being said, all children should be shown how to handle and care for a dog in their home and should always be supervised when playing. As much as a dog can become annoyed and snappy with a younger child, the child can also become less tolerant and misbehaved towards the dog.
Mypetzilla recommends that you always supervise play-time between your children and dog. Children need to respect the boundaries and feeding time for the dog and likewise for the child. We also strongly advise that play-time doesn’t get out of control and too rough which can cause injury to both child and dog.
ApartmentThere are lots of dog breeds that are well suited to living in an apartment. It’s worthwhile noting that you need to check that you’re allowed dogs in your building before committing to bringing one home. If you do decide to own a dog and are living in an apartment, then you must make sure that they have plenty of room to roam around and frequent walks outside to prevent them from becoming bored and depressed.
Mypetzilla recommends that you check as to whether you’re allowed dogs in your apartment building and to fully ensure your apartment is dog proof before committing fully to bringing a dog home.
SheddingAll dog breeds shed to some extent, some more than others. With this, all potential dog owners should be aware of this, as it will be a matter of putting up with some hair or lots of hair being left around the house. Depending on the dog breed, there are certain times during the year where some dog breeds shed the most and this is typically around spring and autumn. However, there are some dog breeds that shed all year round.
If you’re very house-proud, they you may want to choose a dog breed that sheds very little. Mypetzilla strongly recommends that you fully research your dog breed of choice and their shedding levels before committing.
Grooming NeedsAll dog breeds require different levels of grooming. Some dog breeds are easier to maintain than others and only require a weekly brush to help keep their coat in good condition. There are some dog breeds that require regular trips to the grooming parlour and this can come at a huge cost. Either way, all dog breeds require their coat and nails to be maintained and cared for.
Mypetzilla strongly advices that potential owners research the grooming needs and associated costs with their desired dog breed before fully committing.
BarkingBarking is a necessity for your dog to communicate. However, it can also be a nuisance to yourself and fellow neighbours if it’s not kept under control. If you live in an apartment, then you’re better off choosing a dog breed that doesn’t bark as much. If you live further out and far from civilisation, then it’s worthwhile looking into a dog breed that does bark and will bark to alert you of any other company on your property.
Mypetzilla advices that you research the behaviours of your dog breed of choice and whether this would work for you and your family. It’s worth noting that dogs can be trained to bark less and this will take a lot of effort and training from the owner.
AloneMajority dog breeds form very close relationships with their owners and as a result can become very stressed when left alone for a period of time. If a dog is suffering with separation anxiety then they’re very likely to become destructive around the home as a way of dealing with their anxieties. Dog breeds that do form strong bonds with their owners are better accustomed to a household where one member of the family remains home, whilst the others are out, this is to help avoid further anxieties and destructive behaviours.
Mypetzilla recommends that all potential owners research their dog breed of choice on their bonding abilities and how well-adjusted they are to being left alone at home. It’s also worth noting that you should never leave your dog for longer than 4 hours alone at home.
TrainabilityThere are certain dogs breeds that have very high intellect and therefore easier to train than other dog breeds. There is also a downside to this; as fast as they learn the new trick or command, they can easily pick up bad habits just as quick. Other dog breeds that don’t rank as high on the intellect scale require patience and plenty of reward treats from their owners during training.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, Mypetzilla advices you to fully research your dog breed of choice and their level of training needs.
Energy LevelsAll dog breeds have different energy levels. The working dog breed has one of the highest energy levels in comparison to the low-energy dog’s breeds such as the Toy dog breed group. To keep a dog truly happy, healthy and well-balanced, their energy levels must be met.
High-energy dog breeds need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. High energy dog breeds would suit an active family or person. Dog breeds that are considered as low-energy, love to spend the majority of their time relaxing and sleeping in their favourite, comfy spot. A low-energy dog breed would suit an individual that equally loves the quiet life and relaxing lifestyle. Of course, low-energy dogs still need their daily walks and mental stimulation, just not as much as a high-energy dog breed.
Mypetzilla recommends that potential owner research fully on the type of dog breed that would suit their existing lifestyle and to also take into consideration the dog breeds energy levels and exercise requirements.
Dog friendlyBefore you decide on what dog breed would be suitable for you and your family, you must consider whether they’re a friendly dog breed and if you already have other pets within the household. For homes that already have dogs and other domestic pets, then it’s wise to choose a dog breed that has a friendly personality and temperament.
There are some dog breeds that mix well with other dog breeds and there are others that don’t suit one another and this could potentially cause issues later on down the line.
Another important point to consider is whether the dog breed of choice is friendly towards people and children.
Mypetzilla recommends to research fully on the right dog breed for your family and to also consider their temperament and characteristics.
The Schipperke is a Belgian breed of dog developed in the 16th century. Although its exact origin is a debatable matter, the Schipperke was officially formed as a breed in the 1880s and is believed to be descended from the same sheep-herding dogs as the black Belgian sheepdog. It was bred to become smaller until such time that it became an entirely different breed. The breed standard was established in 1889 and much of the early history of the breed came from the articles written for an early French magazine “Hunting and Fishing,” published in English by “The Stockkeeper.” The name “Schipperke” was officially designated in 1888. Its origin, also rather unclear, was originally thought to have meant “little captain,” although in the 1920s it became widely known in Belgium that the name actually meant “little shepherd” from the Flemish word “Scheperke.” However, just before the official name was established, the breed was also known as “Spitzke” and the name change suggests a distinction between the breed and the German Spitz. The breed was utilized to work aboard canal barges in Belgium as guard dog, ratter, and horse herder, nipping the horses’ heels to get them to tow the barge. Its popularity soared during the 19th century when it was branded as the national dog in Belgium and became essentially the only household dog in Belgian homes. It was made even popular by Queen Marie Henriette when she owned one for herself. At the same time, the Schipperke became a fashionable breed in England and was exported throughout the world. Today, the breed serves primarily as a family companion and a household pet.
The Schipperke is an agile and energetic little breed. This brave little dog is always ready to defend its territory against any threat. Its natural curiosity, intelligence and eagerness to learn make it an easy-to-train breed. However, the Schipperke likes to howl and bark, which may be annoying to many people especially if the dog will live with a family in an apartment dwelling. It has a stubborn and independent streak but loving and protective of this family. Self-confident and alert, it will stand its ground against any intruders which makes it an excellent guard dog. It is also an excellent boat companion and does not suffer from sea sickness.
Training this otherwise stubborn and independent breed requires a firm and consistent hand. Proper and early training should teach the dog not to howl and bark excessively.
Grooming requirement is low as the Schipperke is a very clean breed, often it will take care of its own grooming. However, to keep the coat in excellent form, regular weekly brushing will do. It sheds very little although it “blows” its coat almost three times a year (a sudden drop of the entire undercoat within about a 10-day period) making it literally naked for about 2 to 3 months.
The Schipperke is a particularly healthy breed, with an average lifespan of 14 to 16 years, a particularly long-lived breed compared to other dogs, although individuals that reach the old age of 17 or 18 years are not uncommon. Nonetheless, lack of exercise and over-feeding may be harmful, and can lead to several health problems. One minor inherited disease that occurs in almost 15% of the total breed population however is a medical condition known as Mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIB (MPS IIIB) which is classified as a lysosomal storage disease which causes cells to become sick or die leading to disease related to the brain.
Foods that contain a mixture (in equal amount) of beef blended with fish, wheat, oats, yellow corn and beets are ideal base diet for the Schipperke.
This small breed is extremely active and requires a lot of mentally - and physically challenging workouts in order to stay fit. Daily moderate walks or a session of vigorous game in an open but secured area are ideal exercise routines that will satisfy the Schipperke. It is suitable for an apartment life and is very active indoors.
It is typically wary of strangers but is rather devoted and loyal to its family. It gets very well with children and forms a strong bonding relationship with its owner. It is generally good with other dogs and household animals including the cat.
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