Breed:
Schipperke Working dog.
Schipperke
Temperament:
Independent, one person dog
Lifespan:
12-14 years
Maintenance:
Medium
Recommended for:
Active people
The first thing everyone notices about this breed is the name:Schipperke pronounced ‘skipper-key’. It’s said to mean ‘little skipper’ or ‘little captain’ as the dogs were often kept on canal boats in its home country of Belgium.
Schipperke Puppy.
Appearance:
- The Schipperke is a small dog around 33cm (13″) tall and weighing 5-7.5kg (12-16lb) with a firm, double coat, foxy face and prick ears.
- The dogs are almost always black (rarely cream or blue) and are usually docked although there are Schipperkes being bred and sold with tails.
Temperament:
The Schipperke is a very active, lively dog usually great with children, wary of strangers and very inquisitive. They are not a dog of extremes, ie: not great diggers, barkers or very destructive. However, they will take off if allowed. Prospective buyers shouldn’t think it’s a lapdog as longtime owners say the dogs have a ‘big-dog’ attitude in a compact body. They are also independent and known to be a one person dog.
Health, space, and exercise:
Schipperke Working dogs can also be white.
A hardy breed with no notable health problems. They will adapt to a small yard as long as there’s someone to play with, and can keep up on long walks if necessary. Some owners report they can be greedy.
Grooming:
The Schipperke’s coat is very much like that of a Kelpie, shiny, firm and harsh to touch. Minimal grooming is required although the coat will shed heavily twice a year as the season changes. A good daily brush at these times should remove most loose hair.
Ideal owner:
Schipperkes are said to be an adaptable housedog suited to families with children or older people. Most are good watchdogs and are a good size for indoor life.
Sourced From: www.burkesbackyard.com.au/factsheets/Dogs/Schipperke/1400
