The Schipperke is a small Belgian dog, dating back to the 16th century with a size and a character that still create debates on whether they are a spitz or a small sheepdog. The breed was also known as Spitz or Spitzke, which basically meant small dog with pointed ears. They have been officially recognized as a breed in the 1880s and the standards known nowadays were set in 1889. One of the most important roles of the breed was during the World War II when the Belgian Resistance used these dogs to send and receive important messages between their hideouts, without the German troops even being aware of this system.
They gained different nicknames over the years, like “little black fox”, “the Tasmanian black devil” or just the “little black devil”. It is easy to understand why someone would nickname this dog breed like this. Their stubborn and mischievous temperament says it all.
The expression “big things come in small packages” is very true in this case. They are packed with energy, which, combined with a high level of curiosity, makes them a handful for their owners. This is a dog for experienced owners. With their intelligent character and independent nature, they require a lot of exercise and attention, and very often they will ignore the owners. This does not mean they cannot be trained. If trained from early age and with continuous exercising, they can become an excellent companion and can even take part in agility competitions.
The Schipperke is a small dog, and often the term fox-like is used to describe the breed. It has an average height of 33 cm (13 in) and weighs 3-9 kg (6-19 lbs). Their life expectancy is 13-15 years. Their muzzle is slightly shorter comparing to the size of the skull, ending with a black nose. They have pointy, erected ears, shaped like a triangle. Depending on the country legislation, they can be tailless or with different sizes of tails.
The common color is pure black, with thick double coat, shorter around the ears and face and medium to long around the neck and the rest of the body. They are fairly clean and usually they take care of themselves when it comes to grooming, but regular brushing and combing can help them have a beautiful coat. They shed their coat all at once, usually twice a year, when the hair just drops within a 10 day period.
This is a loving family dog. They enjoy taking part in all the family activities and will keep an eye out for any strangers. They love children and enjoy their company, playing with them or putting up a show for them.
This breed make a good apartment dog, as its size does not require a lot of space, as long as the neighbors are not disturbed by all the barking. The Schipperke will need plenty of exercise and stimuli, especially if it is kept in the confined space of the apartment most of the day.
