Breed Description

The fox-like Schipperke is a squarely-built dog of questioning and mischievous appearance. The typical full-grown female stands between 9-12 inches, while the male adult has a height ranging between 11-13 inches tall. They usually weigh around 7-18 pounds.

Coat

The Schipperke has a medium length thick double coat. They have soft hair around their face, but coarse fur on the body. This breed has a ruff that stands out, and a shorter body coat. This breed is known to go through a process known "blowing" thrice a year for females. During which the entire undercoat of this breed sheds in 10 days.

Activity

The Schipperke is a small dog that is extremely active. They require both physical and mental exercise to keep them fit. A moderate walk or a good romp in the yard, or a vigorous game of catch will be enough to keep these dogs exercised.

Temperament

Intelligent and independent yet stubborn, the Schipperke is a loving and protective addition to the family. They tend to bond closely to their masters, and enjoy the company of children. With a lot of energy, the innate inquisitiveness of this breed makes them poke their noses into everything. This breed is alert and self-confident, making an excellent watchdog. These dogs are reserved around strangers, and will stand to its ground. They love to bark and howl, and will typically enjoy playing with other dogs, be it large or small.

Overview

The Schipperke is a feisty little breed that has the meaning of "little captain". These dogs are valued by farmers in herding and keeping the rodents away. These independent dogs are intelligent, curious, and very devoted to their family.

Care

The Schipperke is an independent breed that can take care of his own grooming. The coat of this breed should be brushed twice or thrice a week with the use of a firm bristle brush. But although they are not heavy shedders, they are known to have "blowing" periods, where they shed all their undercoat in 10 days.

Training

The natural intelligence and willingness to learn of the Schipperke makes them easy to train. These independent and strong-willed dogs should be trained at the earliest firmly and consistently. Although they are smart, they do have the inclination to have a mind of their own. So, it is important to establish authority early on. Respect training is crucial, and rules should be enforced consistently. Socializing is important, too. These dogs are naturally suspicious of strangers, and failure to socialize this breed may result to an over-wary Schipperke.

Character

The independent little Schipperke makes a loyal, well-behaved, and affectionate pet. These devoted and undemanding dogs enjoy being a part of a family. They are lively, alert, and very curious dogs making the ideal household pet.