The Schipperke is known as the little black devil. They originated in Belgium as watchdogs and ratters.
They are fearless, devoted and extremely busy little dogs. This could be the perfect breed for you if you are looking for an active addition to your family or household.
They need plenty of exercise so as long as you have time to play outdoors and take them on a good daily walk, they are a fantastic addition to your active family. They can cope quite well with apartment/flat living as long as all their exercise needs are met and given plenty of playtimes. Remember, a bored dog will usually become mischievous, whether it be nuisance barking, chewing or digging. Try to ensure they are occupied with jobs, playtime or plenty of exercise to keep them out of trouble.
Schipperkes love to be with you and the family but tend to bond more with one special person. They are fantastic with children. They will run around with older kids all day in the garden. They are prone to weight gain, so you must keep an eye on their tit-bits.
They make for great watchdogs, one of the best breeds. They will be alert to everything little thing going on. They can be a little barky, so you must train them to be quiet on command. They are a little un-trusting of strangers, and you must ensure they are socialised early on to combat this.
They should be OK with other dogs, but they may be better as the only dog in the household. You might want to avoid two males together. Cats may be OK if brought up in the same household. They were bred to hunt small animals, so they will normally chase neighbourhood cats with delight, and they are quick, make sure they can’t escape from your garden. You may not be able to let them all the lead as they might not come back and sometimes difficult to house train.
Schipperkes are intelligent and fairly easy to train. You will need to discover their reward motivation early on so to get the best results. They are independent thinkers, so you must consider new ways to keep the training as varied and interesting as possible.
Their hair is low maintenance, it’s short, and they shed moderately all year round, and they tend to shed worse during autumn and spring as they change their coats. Weekly brushing will be enough to keep it under control.
Schipperke Stats
The Schipperke is also known as the ‘Belgian Barge Dog’, ‘Little Captain’ and ‘Little Black Devil’. Originating in Belgium, Schipperkes were first noted in the writings of the monk Wenceslas in the 15th Century. In the 1800s, Belgian gentlemen would craft special brass collars for their Schipperkes and proudly walk their dogs through town. Schipperkes also served as watchdogs and ratters on barges, keeping an eye on the cargo and befriending the horses that towed the barge.
- Weight -20kg –28kg
- Size – 46cm – 56cm
- They live for 10-12 years