Schipperke
History
Bred in Belgium hundreds of years ago, and eventually bred down in size to what we know it to look like today, the Schipperke used to work alongside of Captains and hunt rats that would be on board. This breed still does very well on boats until today, and is also an excellent watchdog. The Schipperke is very popular in the United States today. This breed is a decedent from Belgium sheep and herding dogs.
Appearance
The Schipperke is a small sized dog breed with males and females measuring 10-13 inches in height and weighing 12-18 pounds in weight. This breed has a wedge shaped head, forming into a narrow muzzle with a scissor bite. Their two ears are medium in size, triangular in shape and stand firm at the top of their head. Their two almond shaped eyes are generally a light hazel to dark brown in color. Their general body build is short to the ground, stocky and active in appearance. This breed can be born without a tail, however when born with a tail, it is cropped short enough that you will not see it. Their thick, double layer coat is soft and plush, medium in length and available in black, sometimes white on the chest and all shades of tan.
Temperament
The Schipperke is a very curious, expressive, active breed who listens well and is very loyal and loving towards his or her owner. This breed does very well with children of all ages that they are raised alongside of, as well as other canines. Due to their natural hunting instincts, non-canine pets are not recommended within the same home. The Schipperke requires an owner who is able to remain pack leader at all times and set early rules and boundaries. This breed is very confident in themselves and will always try to push buttons with his or her owner. Early socialization and obedience classes are recommended. This breed is wonderful traveling on boats with their owners and wants to be included in as many family activities as possible.
Grooming
This breed does shed. Daily brushing and bathing when needed. Regular professional grooming is recommended.
Special Notes
Please fully educate yourself about the Schipperke prior to adding one to your household to ensure you are able to provide life long physical and financial care. This breed requires a properly fenced in yard or proper fitting harness and leash while outdoors at all times. This breed is prone to hip and joint issues, epilepsy, hypothyroid and eye issues.
All dogs originate from wolves (Canis Lupus). Each breed of dog was originally created by mixing different breeds together in an effort to bring forth certain characteristics. Once a breeder has created acceptable “breed characteristics” within their bloodline and these “breed characteristics” have shown to be reliably reproduced in the offspring for three (3) generations, the bloodline may be upgraded from the category of “foundation stock” to “pure-bred”.
The same “pure-bred” breed standards vary from different continents, countries, territories, regions, breed clubs, and canine pure-breed registries depending on the goals of their breeders. Dog DNA testing companies can have accurate results for a specific bloodline of a small colony of dogs. However, there are tens of thousands of different bloodlines in the world which have not yet been tested for marker baseline results by Dog DNA testing companies as of 2017. For this reason Dog DNA testing companies do not guarantee the 100% accuracy of their breed lineage results and will also show different marker results for the same pure-bred breed in different continents, countries, territories, regions, breed clubs, and canine pure-breed registries depending on the goals of their breeders.