Family:Sheepdog, Spitz, Northern (companion) Original function:barge dog, watchdog, ratter Average size of male:Ht: 11-13, Wt: 12-16 Average size of female:Ht: 10-12, Wt: 12-16 Schipperke Dogs Available on Petfinder Right Now The Schipperke is a bold companion, even though it can be an independent and headstrong one. This little dynamo is happiest when busy, poking his nose into every cranny and ever on the lookout for adventure. He is reserved with strangers and an alert watchdog. He can make an amiable and pleasant house dog but needs daily exercise. The active nature of this breed makes exercise, both- mental and physical -imperative. His small stature makes getting that exercise fairly easy, however. Either a vigorous game in the yard or a moderate walk on leash will usually suffice to meets his needs. The Schipperke should not live outdoors. His double coat needs weekly brushing, more when shedding. Minor concerns: Legg - Perthes Occasionally seen: entropion, distichiasis, PRA

Life span: 13-15 years Dogs Related to the Schipperke Interested in the history of the Schipperke dog breed? The origin of the Schipperke is controversial. One plausible theory is that he originated as a dog of the boatmen who traveled between Brussels and Antwerp. Refurbished Digital Slr Cameras UkThe Flemish word for boat is schip, and Schipperke is thus thought to mean 'little boatman'. The breed was less commonly called Schipperke by Belgian townspeople, however, who more often referred to it as Spitz. Timber Laminate Flooring UnderlayThe other plausible theory of origin is that it was a dog of tradesmen guilds and middle-class households who wanted a small watchdog and ratter. Dolphin 4 Pool Cleaner For Sale

The breed resembles a miniature Belgian Sheepdog, and it is possible that Schipperke derives from the word Scheper, or Shepherd. In fact, a breed of dog intermediate in size was one known in the region. Although small, black dogs are mentioned in Belgian writings of the 15th and 16th centuries, definite evidence of Schipperkes is not found until 1690. A group of Brussels shoemakers organized regular Schipperke competitions, taking special pride in adorning their companions with ornate brass collars. By the 19th century the breed was so popular in central Belgium that it was virtually the only house dog found there, and was acknowledged as the national dog. In 1885 Queen Marie Henriette acquired a Schipperke she saw at a dog show. After people saw the little dog with her, it sparked great interest in the breed from people of all classes, and the workman's companion thus became companion to the elite. At the same time, the breed's numbers were depleted by exports to England, where they had become extremely fashionable.

Most people in Belgium considered the breed common and preferred more exotic breeds. In the late 1880s, a group of Belgian Schipperke fanciers grouped to try to save the breed, setting forth the breed's desirable points. Soon after, the first Schipperke came to America. The breed aroused little interest at first, but has since amassed a modest but loyal following. Shelters with Schipperke Dogs Some animal welfare organizations with Schipperkes ready for adoption: Roll Over Animal Rescue, Inc (ROAR) Jefferson County Humane Society The Schipperke is small and sometimes described as fox-like. The body is square in profile. When the skull is seen from the side it looks slightly rounded, narrowing towards the muzzle. The muzzle is slightly shorter than the length of the skull. The small nose is black. The teeth meet in a scissors or level bite. The small, oval eyes face forward on the head. The erect ears are high-set and triangular in shape. The chest is wide, reaching to the elbows.

The topline is level or sloping slightly toward the back of the dog. It is sometimes born tailless, but if born with a tail it is customarily docked to the base to the point where it is not visible. Note: docking tails is illegal in most parts of Europe. The thick double coat is shorter on the face, ears, front of the forelegs and the hocks. The coat is medium in length on the body and even longer around the neck, shoulders and rump. Coat color comes most commonly in a solid black, which is the only color accepted by the AKC, but also comes in range of tans and fawns which are acceptable by some other clubs. The Schipperke is a quick, energetic little dog. It is high-spirited, alert and self-confident. Very devoted and loyal, especially with children. It really bonds to its master. Pet cats will be happily accepted and it is usually good with other dogs. The Schipperke is very smart, curious and mischievous. These dogs do exceptionally well on boats. Among the Schipperke's best qualities is the ability to defend its home against intruders—backing down from nobody, and being an excellent friend to children.

Some can be difficult to housebreak. Socialize well to prevent them from becoming wary and aloof with strangers. Easy to train as it is intelligent and eager to learn. Oftentimes small dogs such as the Schipperke develop what is known as Small Dog Syndrome, varying degrees of human induced behaviors, where the dog believes he is pack leader to humans. When a dog is allowed to rule the home, it can develop behavior problems, such as, but not limited to, guarding, obsessive barking, separation anxiety, growling, snapping and even biting. Schipperkes that have been allowed to take over are said to have become hot-tempered, willful and protective. If someone new visits, they will adopt a watchful position and try to defend their territory, whether it is an apartment or a piece of land, against both two-legged and four-legged intruders. They may become obsessive barkers as they try and tell YOU what to do or try and TELL OTHERS to leave THEIR area. Schipperkes like to howl. After the initial bark to alert you, they need to be told enough is enough and to quiet down.

Schipperkes that are given rules to follow, limits as to what they are and are not allowed to do, along with a consistent, firm pack leader, and a daily pack walk, will not develop these negative behaviors. Dogs that have already developed them will change for the better as soon as their canine instincts are being met. Height: 10 - 13 inches (21 - 33 cm) Weight: 12 - 18 pounds (5.5 - 8 kg) Hypothyroid, epilepsy, hip dysplasia and hip sockets which tend to slip. Legg Calves Perthes, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), cataracts, and a newly discovered disease called MPS 111B (Mucopolysaccharidosis). There is a genetic test available for the MPS 111B through the Univ. of Pennsylvania. Be careful not to overfeed this breed. Schipperkes are good dogs for apartment life. They are very active indoors. These dogs are incredibly quick and it is a good idea to have a fenced yard. The Schipperke is an active and tireless breed. To be happy and mentally stable, they need to be taken on a daily, long walk or jog.

They also enjoy play and getting a chance to run. This breed is very active indoors and will get a lot of its exercise running around your house. It will greatly enjoy running free off its lead in a safely fenced-in yard or a park. The Schipperke is very clean and pretty much takes care of its own grooming, but to keep the medium-length double-coat in top condition, comb and brush regularly with a firm bristle brush. Dry shampoo when necessary. They shed very little until the coat "blows," which can be as often as 3 times a year on females; less so on males and spayed females, especially as they age. This coat change is a sudden drop of ALL undercoat within about a 10-day period. One owner sayss "I've pulled out up to two shopping bags full of soft, down hair out of one 12-pound Schip! I find it easier and quicker to give them a hot bath than force air the coat two or three times during this week (always outside!) to get rid of all the loose, itchy hair before the dog leaves it all over the house.

A groomer could do this for the person without a force dryer. They are literally naked and butt ugly for about 2-3 months, depending on the time of year and how much time they spend outside, for the hair to come back to a new lustrous coat." The Schipperke was bred in Flanders by a canal boat captain named Renssens. It was descended from a 40-pound (18 kg) black sheepdog, known as the Leauvenaar, which is the same sheep-herding stock that the black Belgian Sheepdog descended from. The Schipperke was bred smaller and smaller and eventually became a different breed entirely. The dogs became a favorite choice to guard canal barges in Belgium. The breed was used for herding livestock, hunting game or simply guarding his domain. In Flemish the word "schip" means boat, hence where they got their name "Schipperke." They earned the nickname "Little Captain" and "Little Skipper" because the dogs were the "ratters," a very important function on a canal barge, and also usually the captain's dog.