| Schipperkes: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Schipperke personality and behavior. |
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My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Schipperke, including these excerpts:
"The AKC Standard describes the Schipperke as "questioning, mischievous, impudent... interested in everything around him."
Indeed, this is one of the most intense, inquisitive, and impulsive of all breeds. The Schipperke is busy, busy, busy and seldom walks when he can trot or scamper.
He must always be kept on-leash (for he is an extremely fast, agile, independent chaser of anything that moves) or in a secure yard, preferably supervised, because his ingenuity and climbing/digging skills may send him over or under the fence.
Possessed of extraordinary senses and an inherent suspicion of strangers, the Schipperke sleeps lightly and makes a keen, vigilant watchdog. He is convinced that he is a big dog and may physically challenge an intruder foolish enough to ignore his sharp, penetrating bark.
With dogs and cats in his own family, he is usually fine. With strange pets who invade his domain, he can be scrappy. He has a high prey drive and is likely to harass small caged pets, and with his quick reflexes and light-footed agility, creatures that run won't get far.
This little rascal does best with owners who are firm, confident, and consistent. He has a marked stubborn streak, strong likes and dislikes, a mischievous sense of humor, and will take clever advantage if indulged.
Schipperkes are proud and sensitive and do not react kindly to being harshly handled or teased. Some can be hard to housebreak, and their barking must be kept under control."
History
In his native Belgium the Schipperke was a ratter and riverboat watchdog, probably developed from the same roots as Belgian shepherd dogs. His name is Flemish for "little shepherd."
Size
10-13 inches and 12-18 lbs |
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Schipperkes
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- There are energetic Schipperkes, and placid Schipperkes.
- Hard-headed Schipperkes, and sweet-natured Schipperkes.
- Serious Schipperkes, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted Schipperkes, and Schipperkes who love everyone.
| If you acquire a Schipperke puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
Now let's look at some common characteristics for this breed...
- Is unusual-looking: a little black spitz-like dog with a foxy face, thick coat, rounded rump, and docked tail
- Is one of the most dynamic, intense, and curious of all breeds
- Is quick-moving and agile and thrives on athletic activites and interactive games
- Makes an extremely keen watchdog
- Is hardy, healthy, and long-lived
A Schipperke may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- Extremely high activity level
- Providing enough exercise and activities to keep him busy
- Destructiveness when bored or left alone too much
- Suspiciousness toward strangers
- Aggression toward other animals -- strong chasing instincts
- Escape attempts and running away
- Strong-willed mind of his own, requiring a confident owner who can take charge
- Lots of barking
- Shedding
- Slowness to housebreak
A Schipperke may not be right for you.
| If I were considering a Schipperke... |
My major concerns would be:
- Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Schipperkes are incredibly active go-getters. They MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and to use their busy minds to do interesting things. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored -- which they usually express by barking and destructive chewing. Bored Schipperkes can make a shambles of your house and yard.
| I strongly recommend that you get your Schipperke involved in obedience classes at the intermediate or advanced level, in agility (an obstacle course for dogs), or in tracking. |
- Suspiciousness toward strangers. Standoffish by nature, Schipperkes need extensive exposure to people and to unusual sights and sounds. Otherwise their natural caution can become extreme suspiciousness, which is difficult to live with and could even lead to biting.
| If you have small children, I do not recommend a Schipperke. First, because children cannot help being clumsy, and that a child meant well is little solace to a Schipperke puppy who has been accidentally stepped on, sat on, rolled on, squeezed, or dropped onto the patio. Even Schipperke adults may feel overwhelmed by the loud voices and quick movements that children can't help making -- and there are many Schipperkes who won't tolerate any nonsense and are quick to react to teasing. Finally, some Schipperkes simply play too roughly, including nipping. |
- Animal aggression. Many Schipperkes are dominant or aggressive toward other dogs of the same sex. Many have strong instincts to chase and seize small fleeing creatures. This can make for conflict if you own a cat. It may be much worse than that if you own a pet rabbit or hamster!
| Schipperkes cannot be trusted off-leash. They will take off -- oblivious to your frantic shouts -- after anything that runs. |
- Fence security. Many Schipperkes are clever escape artists who will go over or under fences in search of adventure. To keep your Schipperke in, you may need higher fences than you might imagine for their small size. You may also need to sink wire into the ground along the fence line to thwart digging. Gates should have the highest quality locks.
- The strong temperament. Schipperkes are not Golden Retrievers. They have an independent mind of their own and are not pushovers to raise and train. They can be manipulative, and many are willful, obstinate, and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.
| To teach your Schipperke to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. My Schipperke Training Page discusses the program you need. |
- Barking. Schipperkes are often too quick to sound the alarm at every new sight and sound. You have to be equally quick to stop them. If you work all day and have close neighbors, Schipperkes are not a good choice for you. For the same reason, Schipperkes should NEVER be left outside in your yard, unsupervised. To make matters worse, many Schipperkes have intense, high-pitched barks that can set your teeth on edge.
- Heavy shedding. Schipperkes shed quite a bit. You'll find hair and fur all over your clothing, upholstery, carpeting, under your furniture, on your countertops -- even in your food. Frequent vacuuming will become a way of life.
- Housebreaking. Schipperkes tend to resist being told what to do, and housebreaking is no exception. Expect four to six months of consistent crate training before you see results.
| If you're considering an adult Schipperke... |
There are plenty of adult Schipperkes who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
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Copyright © 2000-2006 by Michele Welton. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without the permission of the author. |
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