A curious look and steeply erected pointed ears – the Schipperke is an extremely attentive fellow. The small Belgian shepherd is considered extremely vigilant and does not let his territory and his replacement pack out of his sight. Once upon a time, the reliable four-legged friend guarded the workshops and offices of Belgian craftsmen and merchants. Today he is an affectionate family dog, but he has to be mentally and physically challenged.

Profile Schipperke

The Little Shepherd from Belgium

Schipperke – that means “little shepherd dog” in Flemish. The genetic roots of the agile four-legged friend lie in Belgium and have not yet been fully deciphered. What is certain is that the Schipperke was already one of the most popular dogs of craftsmen and merchants in cities such as Antwerp and Brussels in the Middle Ages. It is related to the Belgian Shepherd Dog, with which it shares a common ancestor: the so-called Leuvenaar. The Schipperke has been bred in Belgium since 1885; only three years later, a breed club was founded and breed standards were established. After the Second World War, the Schipperke was almost extinct. The FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) recognized the dog breed in 1954.

The character of Schipperke

The Schipperke is the born guard dog: he passionately and tenaciously protects objects, territories or people entrusted to him. In doing so, he uses his loud, bright voice with great perseverance. The lively four-legged friend is rather reserved to suspicious towards strangers. But he loves his own family all the more: He is affectionate, fond of children, needs a lot of closeness and is therefore a suitable family dog.

The representatives of this Belgian dog breed are considered to be extremely willing to perform, eager to learn and persevering. They rarely come to rest: the curious four-legged friends prefer to watch what is happening around them all day long. By the way, the Schipperkes are passionate mouse and rat catchers.

Education and attitude of the Schipperke

The Schipperke is a very flexible dog: If he is mentally and physically exhausted, you can keep him just as well in the city apartment as in the countryside. If the little Belgian is bored, he often becomes a “yapper”. In addition to long walks, dog sports such as agility, dog dancing or dog frisbee should be on this dog’s weekly leisure program. The Schipperke suits active people and needs close family ties. Since he has a mind of his own, it is important to raise him consistently and lovingly. You can find professional support in a puppy school or with a dog trainer. However, the most important prerequisite for successful educational work is a close bond between dog and owner.

Care of the Schipperke

The coat of the Schipperke should be brushed once or twice a week, more often during the coat change.

Special features of the Schipperke

As early as the Middle Ages, this breed suffered from a genetic defect that led to taillessness. For some time, Schipperkes without tails were even deliberately bred. Today, however, this is rejected by most reputable breeders. At the VDH (Association for the German Canine Society) you will find addresses of reliable breeders. However, very few puppies of this dog breed are born in Germany every year: In 2018, the VDH recorded just 37 puppies.

You might also be interested in these great German Shepherd breeds:

• Tervueren: The Tervueren is relatively rare in Germany. It is a variant of the Belgian Shepherd Dog with a long coat. Characteristic is the red coat with the black mask.
• Shetland Sheepdog: Shetland Sheepdogs cannot deny their kinship with the long-haired collies. But they are much more than a miniature version of “Lassie”. The sensitive and intelligent Shelties are loyal companions.
• White Shepherd Dog: A German Shepherd with a bright white coat? An albino, a whim of nature? No: A White Shepherd or Berger Blanc Suisse wears its unusual coat color with a system.
• Eastern European Shepherd: The Eastern European Shepherd is the larger and heavier version of the German Shepherd. This breed really blossoms when it is allowed to show what it can do. It willingly carries out orders and is focused and eager.
• Malinois: The Malinois is an extremely clever, lively and highly active working dog with Belgian roots. The dog breed is used worldwide in the police and military service. Training and exercise of the sporty Belgian Shepherd Dog place high demands on the owner.
• Dutch Shepherd Dog: The Dutch Shepherd is a former herding dog and was later used as a guard dog or police dog. The animals are independent due to their previous task and need a loving but consistent hand.
• Groenendael: The Groenendael wants to be kept physically and mentally on his toes: walks of several hours, agility training or dog frisbee are a must! If you give him the opportunity to work out enough, he will fit in wonderfully with your family.
• Belgian Shepherd Dog: Nowadays, the Belgian Shepherd Dog is mainly used as a service dog by the police, customs or the armed forces. Its bright, intelligent nature and athletic stature make it the ideal partner on four paws.