Is it a Spitz or a sheepdog? This Belgian dog breed has been around for a while (since the early 17th century) and even though there are some debates, they are called sheepdogs in their country of origin.

Schipperke ( SKIP-per-key) is a small dog but full of energy, spunk, and affection. They do love to play but are not considered too energetic dogs because they can tire easily, especially in the summer. All that coat is not helping them in the summer heat. But, they need lots of mental stimulation to keep them from turning mischievous.

1. Size

Both males and females are no taller than 13 inches (33 cm). Female Schipperke dogs are usually smaller and stand around 12 inches (30 cm). As for the weight, they usually range from 12 to 16 pounds (5 to 7 kg). So, as you can see, they fit the small group of dogs. 

No matter the size, these dogs look agile and active. The confusion whether they are spitz-type dogs or sheepdogs comes from their fox-like faces, small oval eyes, and pointy ears. Schipperke has a keen and intelligent expression. They also have naturally bushy tails, but the tail is mostly docked in North America.

2. Color

If you live in the States and follow the AKC rules, then there is only one AKC-accepted coat color of a Schipperke – black. However, if you live in Europe and other parts of the world, there are other coat colors – cream and gold.

Even though the AKC accepts only black, the undercoat can be of a lighter shade. However, if you plan on showing your dog anything but the black color, it will be a disqualification or penalization. 

3. Social Traits

Schipperke is a lively, smart, and fun dog. They are affectionate and love to be with their favorite person. They were bred to hunt vermin and to serve as a watchdog and these instincts are still present. They’ll make great watchdogs, but that also means they’ll need to be properly socialized from an early age to understand who or what is not a threat. 

Their hunting nature can cause them to have a higher prey drive. However, not every dog with a hunting background has a strong prey drive. Some Schipperkes don’t bother chasing after a squirrel. But, it is important to know that it can happen. DNA and what a dog was bred to do is very important. 

Owners we encountered were divided about whether a Schipperke is nervous and anxious around other dogs. Every dog is unique, but we can speak from a general point of view. Socialization is the key to whatever dog you have, purebred or mixed.

Good with other dogs: needs proper socialization 

Good with children: yes, needs socialization

Good with small animals: needs socialization

When it comes to children, Schipperke can act differently based on the noises and sudden moves children make. This is why it’s best not to leave them unsupervised alone with children if Schipperke didn’t have any prior contact with children. When raised with children, Schipperke is a great family dog. Just remember they are sturdy but still small dogs. We need to tell children not to pay too roughly with them.

4. Trainability 

Schipperke can be a challenge to train because of their stubbornness and independent way of thinking. This means they can quickly learn basic obedience training but they might not listen to you every time.

To make a Schipperke easier to train, use a lot of rewards and make it fun. You can reward them with a treat, toy, or a game after a well-completed task. Make the tasks diverse to keep it fun. And, be consistent. Schipperkes are smart dogs who can easily turn into alpha dogs in your home if you let them. 

While every dog is unique, we once again came to two conclusions from the owners we talked to. One side is all about praising Schipperkes off leash and the other half says it is a big no because of their prey drive and poor recall once they find something they could catch. This means you will have to see it for yourself. Just remember to “test” your dog’s recall and off-leash walks in a fenced area. Schipps are small dogs and can’t easily jump over tall fences, but they can dig and go under. That’s why proper fencing is important.

5. Activity Needs

Schipperke needs daily exercise and mental stimulation. They can easily get tired and overheated during hot days, so keep the walks short but frequent. For example, divide the walks into two with some games in between. 

Generally speaking, they need around one hour of daily exercise which can be in the form of walks, runs, playtime, or a combination of walks and indoor games. Schipperke is a dog that needs something to do. Leaving him alone with nothing to do all day is not a good idea. It is bad for most dogs, but especially for those who were bred to always do something.

Schipperke will turn boredom into destructive behavior, just like other dogs. So keep the Schip entertained to avoid misbehavior.

6. Feeding

Generally speaking, an adult Schipperke needs from 0.5 to 1 cup of high-quality kibble food every day. It is best to divide this into two meals, one in the morning and one in the evening. How much a dog should eat depends on many things, from age to activity levels and health. A dog that is less active should eat less and those with higher activities every day should eat more. 

Normal dog weight depends on the breed but we shouldn’t blindly follow Kennel Club standards. A dog can weigh a bit more or less than standard breed measures. The important thing is to keep the dog healthy, not overweight or underweight. 

You can consult a veterinarian if you are unsure of how much to feed or what to feed your Schipperke dog. They can do a full physical exam and determine the best diet option for your dog. 

7. Grooming

Schipperke has a double and short coat. It is short on the face, ears, front of the forelegs, and on the hocks. On the body, the coat is of medium length. The ruff, cape, jabot and culottes have longer coats. Basically, it means that there is longer fur around the neck, additional fur that encompasses the ruff (neck) and a jabot is longer fur going from the chest down between the front legs. The culottes (back of the hind legs) should be the same length as the ruff.

These are AKC instructions on how to groom a Schipperke. You don’t have to do this. What’s important is to keep the dog healthy by trimming the rear end under the tail. They also require monthly nail trimmings and an occasional bath.

Schipperkes shed a lot two times a year (shedding seasons) and will require frequent brushing to keep the hair at bay. Apart from that, they require weekly brushing. Because they have a double coat, you can use a combination of a pin and a slicker brush. That way, you can reach all parts of their double coats. 

8. Possible Problems

Schipperkes are generally speaking healthy dogs. They have a long lifespan, longer than most dog breeds, around 14 years. They can have some health issues just like any other dog breed. Through regular and core vaccinations as well as responsible breeding, we lower the chances of a dog developing a health issue. 

But unfortunately, we can’t prevent everything. It is impossible. So, these are some health issues a Schipperke might be suffering from:

• Luxating patellas
• Legg-Calve-Perthes disease 
• Eye problems
• Thyroid problems 

Final Thoughts

The Schipperke is a lively, affectionate, and somewhat stubborn dog. They love to be active and are born to do something, so leaving them alone for a long time is not recommended. They can turn destructive if left bored for too long.

Schipperkes are good family dogs. They go well with children but need proper and early socialization to fully understand how to behave and what to expect from children. Socialization is also a key when it comes to Schipperkes and other dogs. And, don’t forget that a Schipperke is a hunting dog bred to catch vermin which means they can have a higher prey drive. That means we shouldn’t leave them off-leash and unsupervised in open areas.

If you are looking for an active, sturdy, and affectionate dog that goes well in cities and the countryside – Schipperke is perfect for you!

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