Schipperke

Spitske, Little Captain
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Face-On View
3/4 View
Sideways View
Standing View

Summary

  • The Schipperke is a small, black, fox-like dog breed originating from Belgium, known for its intelligence, loyalty, and watchful nature. They are versatile dogs used for companionship, guarding, and ratting, requiring moderate grooming, high levels of exercise and early socialization to manage potential dog-aggression.

Origin and Purpose

  • Belgium
  • Barge dogs
  • Guarding
  • Ratting
  • Companionship

Appearance

Dimensions

GenderHeightWeight
Female10-12 inches10-16 pounds
Male11-13 inches10-16 pounds

Coat

AttributeNotes
Color
  • Black
  • Cream
  • Blue
  • Fawn
  • Chocolate
  • Tan
  • Red
Type
  • Dense
  • Harsh
  • Short
Length
  • Short

Care

AttributeNotes
Shedding
  • Moderate
Grooming
  • Weekly brushing
Drooling
  • Low

Body

AttributeNotes
Head
  • Fox-like
  • Wedge-shaped
Skull
  • Slightly rounded
  • Moderate width
Ears
  • Small
  • Erect
  • Triangular
Eyes
  • Small
  • Oval
  • Dark Brown
Nose
  • Black
Muzzle
  • Moderately pointed
  • Fine
Teeth
  • Scissor bite
Neck
  • Slightly arched
  • Strong
Forequarters
  • Muscular
  • Well-developed
Fore Legs
  • Straight
  • Set well under the body
Hindquarters
  • Strong
  • Muscular
Hind Legs
  • Straight
  • Set well under the body
Feet
  • Small
  • Round
  • Cat-like
Tail
  • Docked
  • Natural
Gait
  • Light
  • Agile
  • Smooth

Temperament

  • Intelligent
  • Curious
  • Confident
  • Loyal
  • Independent
  • Watchful
  • Alert
  • Energetic

Social

AttributeNotes
Affectionate with Family
  • High
Good with Children
  • Good with older children
  • Supervised interactions with younger children
Good with Dogs
  • May be dog-aggressive
  • Early socialization recommended
Good with Cats
  • May chase cats
  • May coexist if raised together
Openness to Strangers
  • Reserved
  • Can be wary
Playfulness Level
  • High
Protective Nature
  • High
Adaptability Level
  • Adaptable
  • Can live in apartments if exercised

Working Roles

  • Watchdog
  • Ratting
  • Companionship
  • Herding

Exercise Needs

  • High
  • Daily walks
  • Play sessions

Health

  • Generally healthy
  • May be prone to Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
  • Progressive retinal atrophy
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Mucopolysaccharidosis Type IIIB

Additional Notes

  • Prone to escaping if not properly fenced
  • Can be vocal
  • Requires consistent training
  • Long life span

References