Schipperke

Schipperkes have oodles of personality that will keep you both busy and entertained. Schipperke dogs can be protective and territorial, so you’ll want to socialize them with other dogs, cats and people. They may be wary of strangers and need to warm up to new faces, but they love and dote on their family members. Their temperament makes Schipperkes an ideal roommate addition if you already have cats, other dogs and kiddos at home—this breed loves them all! The saying “their bark is worse than their bite” definitely applies to a Schipperke: They like to bark to alert their pet parents of noises or passersby, but their small size means they can’t really protect you as a guard dog!

Bred to root out and kill rats and other vermin, Schipperkes are lightning fast, so always keep this curious and agile breed on a leash while exploring the world. Ensure your yard also has a secure fence because these dashing escape artists may decide to fly solo if given the chance. This leads us to the next point: Schipperkes are highly independent and stubborn, so you’ll need to match or outdo their strong persona to raise and train your Schipperke to be obedient yet still full of verve.

Schipperke traits include excessive barking, high energy and behavioral characteristics that warrant training, but caring for this breed physically is a breeze. Their small stature makes them easy to bathe and brush, and they only need a bath once a month unless they get into some mischief! Daily exercise, a healthy diet and obedience training will add up to a happy dog who’ll bring tons of zeal to your home and give your kids a loyal playmate who’s always ready to have fun.

Schipperkes have a lifespan of 12 to 14 years and are generally a healthy breed, but they do have some health issues that you should know about as a pet parent to help your pup live the longest life possible.

• Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease: This genetic, developmental orthopedic disorder of the hip joint leads to lameness and pain. An interrupted supply of blood to the head and neck of the femur bone is the cause. Medical intervention can manage most cases. This condition may be found on X-rays when the pet presents with rear leg limping. Hip surgery creates a false joint, and the dog usually does well long-term. In severe cases, surgical treatment for this condition is necessary; usually a femoral head and neck osteotomy (FHO), where a surgeon removes the head of the femur, and the area can heal with scar tissue.
• Luxating Patella: Common in many small breeds, luxating patella is a condition where the kneecap is unstable. The dog can present a limp, but not always. Joint supplements such as glucosamine help slow the progression of arthritis that occurs secondarily to any unhealthy joint but won’t correct the primary issue. Surgical correction early on is ideal. 
• MPS IIIB (Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB): This is a rare, fatal genetic disease, and the symptoms are related to the cerebellum part of the brain. The signs include tremors, difficulty balancing and walking and other balance-related issues. There is no cure or successful treatment for this disease, but any reputable breeder would catch this early because it’s screenable.
• Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism is when the body doesn’t make enough thyroid hormone. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include dry skin and coat, hair loss, susceptibility to other skin diseases, weight gain, fearfulness, aggression or other behavioral changes. Easily found at routine veterinary visits and annual blood screenings, hypothyroidism can be medically managed, monitored and treated with thyroid medication.
• Cataracts and Progressive Retinal Atrophy: Eye problems that can affect Schipperkes are cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy, an eye disease that will eventually cause vision loss. Prevention includes screening the breeding pair before breeding by Board Certified Ophthalmologists. Also, routine annual veterinary visits can pick up changes, but a specialist typically confirms it. Surgery can correct cataracts in some cases. There is no treatment for PRA. However, a dog with vision loss can still live a happy life.

Schipperkes’ ancient origin dates back to the 1600s and includes a storied history of seafaring escapades. First born in medieval Belgium, the word Schipperke is Flemish for “little captain.” A breakdown of the Schipperke name: Schip is Flemish for boat, and schipper means skipper or boat captain, so schipperke translates to little captain of the boat. (Pretty cool, huh?) Schipperkes earned this nickname with their constant nautical presence, hunting vermin on ships and guarding boats in Belgian dockyards.

This small shepherd originated from a black Belgian sheepdog called a Leauvenaar. These active dogs were bred to work and toiled on boats to root out and kill all the rats. Shopkeepers also relied on Schipperkes to watch over and protect their merchandise.

After the first Schipperke arrived in America in 1888, the American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1904. The AKC Parent Club for this breed, the Schipperke Club of America, was established in 1929. Schipperkes rank 105 out of 197 breeds according to the AKC’s breed popularity ranking system.

A fun Schipperke fact is that they were the companion dog of choice for beloved actress Lucille Ball, who owned many of these feisty little dogs. She named one of her pet Schipperkes Ginger.

Hoping to add a Schipperke to your pack? Find a list of reputable breeders on the American Kennel Club’s website. What’s the average Schipperke price? You can expect to pay $700 to several thousand dollars for a purebred pup. You can also find a Schipperke rescue organization near you or keep a lookout for the breed to be up for adoption at your local animal shelter.

The most important Schipperke information you need to know is that you’re getting a supersized personality in a small dog’s body. Schipperkes are high-energy, alert guard dogs prone to mischief and barking, so they need obedience training from a confident pet parent and daily exercise. In return, they will protect your family with all their heart—they adore kids—and be a playful, loyal companion who adds lots of vibrance to your life. The irresistible sparkle in their eye betrays their spirit of unquenchable wonder.