Overview: The Schipperke has a large amount of energy and has a playful attitude. It often likes the company of other dog breeds and other pets. It doesn't like to be around strangers and would rather not deal with them. It is quite difficult to train as it is stubborn and doesn't like to learn much. It makes a very good watchdog and is very capable of being a guard dog. Grooming isn't that difficult with this breed. It is somewhat resistant to cold weather and would rather avoid hot temperatures.

Temperament: Always on the look-out for an adventure, the Schipperke gets its nose into anything it can. It is a bold dog that can be very headstrong at times. It is reserved around people it doesn't know and is always on the lookout. It will alert its master if there is someone it doesn't know approaching. It can make a decent house dog when given enough exercise.

History: The origin of the Schipperke is considered to be controversial. One theory is it was bred for boatmen who traveled from Brussels to Antwerp. The word for boat in Flemish is schip which could mean that Schipperke is Flemish for Little Boatman. Among the Belgian townspeople it was more commonly known as Spitz. The other theory is that the dog was used for tradesman guilds and people in the middle class who wanted small ratters and watchdogs. The Schipperke resembles a smaller version of the Belgian Sheepdog and its name could have come from scheper which means shepherd. Small, black, tailless dogs were mentioned in Belgian writings during the 15th and 16th centuries. However, it wasn't until the 17th century when there was evidence of this specific breed. A group of shoemakers in Brussels made regular competitions for the Schipperke giving brass collars to the dogs. By the 19th century this breed was very popular in central Belgium. It was virtually the only house dog in the area and was made into the national breed. In the late 19th century, Queen Marie Henriette purchased a Schipperke she had seen at a dog show. After she was seen with that dog it caused people from all classes to gain interest in the breed and soon it wasn't in just the middle class anymore. The numbers of the breed started to deplete caused be exporting to England. Soon most of the people in Belgium recognized the dog as common and started to desire a more exotic breed. Near the end of the 19th century a group of Schipperke fanciers from Belgium attempted to save the breed and made a standard for it. It wasn't long after this when the first of this canine arrived in the United States. It didn't have much popularity at first but it has slowly started to get some and now has a modest amount of enthusiasts.

Names: There is no other name the Schipperke goes by.

Groups: The Schipperke was formally recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1904 and assigned to the Non-Sporting Group.

Physical Characteristics: On the small side, the average adult Schipperke can be 10 to 13 inches in height and can weigh between 10 and 16 lb. The coat is straight and slightly harsh feeling. The undercoat is thick and short while the outer coat is abundant. The color is often pure black however there can be other colors. The hair does start turning gray due to age with this dog.

Care: This dog requires exercise on a daily basis, both mentally and physically. A rigorous game or a good sized walk should be enough. It should live indoors and have access to the outdoors. The coat needs to be brushed every week and more often when shedding.

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Schipperke dog breeders, you may place an ad for your Schipperke puppies and/or adult Schipperke dogs for sale on BreedersClub.net to find qualified buyers