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The Schipperke is a
wonderful breed, known for its watchdog capabilities
and its loyalty to a loving but firm owner. Long
seen as a boat dog in its native Belgium and as a
herding dog, the Schipperke is an active, compact
animal that loves to run and play when given the
chance. The Schipperke can be a great companion,
even for children, though some are slow to warm up
to those it does not know. We have put together 10
of the most common questions about the Schipperke,
with answers for each.
1. What is the history of the Schipperke?
The Schipperke was bred as a boat dog in Belgium and
may be descended from the same stock as the black
Belgian Sheepdog. The smaller Schipperke was long
used as a guard dog on canal boats in Belgium. The
name may come from words that mean “little captain”
or from a Flemish word meaning “little shepherd.”
The breed was first shown in 1880 and is now
primarily a companion dog.
2. How big does the
Schipperke get?
Most dogs of this breed will be from 10 inches to 13
inches tall at the withers. An adult Schipperke will
weight from 12 pounds to 18 pounds. A proper diet
and sufficient exercise are necessary to keep the
dog from becoming overweight.
3. How much exercise does the Schipperke need?
This is a working breed that will do best with
regular exercise. A new owner should be prepared to
give the Schipperke room to run and play. A large,
fenced yard would be best. The dog will probably be
very active indoors as well and will enjoy running
around in the house.
4. How long does the Schipperke live?
The age range varies, depending on whom you talk to.
But most Schipperke will live 14 years or 15 years
with proper diet and exercise. Some have been known
to enjoy their health as long as 18 years.
5. Will the Schipperke be good with children?
Generally, yes but early socialization with the
breeder and patience from the new owners is
necessary. However, the Schipperke is usually very
good with children who are not too rough and with
older adults who need a good companion.
6. I have seen tan Schipperkes. Is this common?
It is not uncommon for a Schipperke to be tan or
fawn in color. However, the black coat is the only
one recognized for show dogs by the American Kennel
Club.
7. I have heard that the Schipperke sheds
heavily. Is this true?
Schipperkes “blow” their coats seasonally - once or
twice a year. In between they do not shed much at
all. During the shedding time a good brush will get
out the undercoat and the guard coat will drop out.
This process may take 3 weeks to 4 weeks, then the
new coat comes back in.
8. What health problems should I be aware of?
A newly discovered condition that may be unique to
Schipperkes is MPS IIIB. It is also known by the
name Sanfilippo syndrome type IIIB. According to
medical information from various dog breed
specialists, the disease involves lysosomes, "bags"
within cells of the body. These sacs are filled with
special enzymes, which disassemble molecules in an
orderly manner. If one of the enzymes is missing,
due to mutations in the gene for that enzyme, the
disassembly stops. Molecules do not break down and
thus accumulate in lysosomes. The cells become sick
or die, which leads to disease. A dog that develops
MPS IIIB may show signs of tremor, difficulty in
maintaining balance or trouble with walking.
9. What are some basics for training a
Schipperke?
First of all, you should not use hitting or physical
punishment. The Schipperke, like many purebred dogs,
does not respond well to this type of training. In
addition, you should always use consistent tone of
voice when addressing the pet. The Schipperke is
very intelligent and will recognize the tone of
voice if used consistently. Always be confident when
correcting or training your Schipperke. This dog is
good at understanding body language as well.
10. Is the Schipperke a good watchdog?
Yes. In fact, this was one of the primary jobs for
the Schipperke on the canal boats. Schipperkes will
take time to warm up to strangers and will bark to
let you know if something suspicious is going on
around the home. This breed will not back down very
often and will be friendly and protective with
children.
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