The Schipperke, affectionately nicknamed the Schip, is a small dog with a large, lovable personality. They are lively and curious with a mischievous streak. They are loyal and affectionate to their families and love being around their favorite people. Well-socialized Schipperkes also get along fabulously with children.

Their watchdog/exterminator background makes them naturally wary of strangers, at least at first, and also means they have a high prey drive. They also won’t be afraid to bark and let you know about someone or something coming onto your property. Left on their own, Schipperkes can become prone to barking. However, you can socialize and train your dog to stop barking early on to contain their barking tendency.

Schipperkes are highly adaptable dogs. They do well in apartments as well as larger homes. Due to their high prey drive and urge to chase, they should only be let off-leash in secure areas.
They do well in moderate climates.

As with any dog, they are sensitive to very hot or very cold weather. A Schipperke is generally okay with some alone time, but they love their families deeply, prefer to be with them, and should not be left alone for long periods of time.

For the Schipperke, potential health concerns to be aware of can include patellar luxation, eye problems, thyroid issues, and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, which affects the hips. There is also a disease called MPS IIIB, which is newly recognized and fatal. It usually presents as balance problems and shows up by 2-4 years of age. However, it can be tested and screened for in order to prevent it from being passed on to puppies.

Reputable breeders will be testing and screening their dogs for these issues to make sure they are not being passed on to puppies. So, don’t be afraid to ask the breeder questions. Talk to them about the genetic history of the parents and ask to see any relevant health clearances and DNA test results. The Schipperke Club of America, Inc. recommends an ophthalmologist evaluation, a patella evaluation, and a thyroid evaluation.

The Schipperke is a highly trainable dog breed, but they can be a challenge for novice owners. These dogs are highly intelligent, pick up on things quickly, and can learn practically anything. However, they are independent dogs that can have a stubborn streak.

This can be difficult for first-time dog owners to navigate on their own, so puppy training and obedience classes are highly recommended. With persistence, patience, and positive training methods, a Schipperke is capable of learning almost anything.

In addition to basic commands every dog should know, you should make sure you train your Schipperke to respond to commands to stop barking and to come when they are called. If these are not addressed during training, their watchdog tendencies and urge to wander can cause a Schipperke to bark a lot and to ignore you when you call for them.

Schipperkes are known for their fluffy back coat and foxy face. Despite their fluff, the Schip has moderate grooming needs. Their coat is generally low-maintenance, but they do shed moderately year-round and experience heavier shedding twice a year as the seasons change.

Most of the time, weekly brushing is sufficient to keep them comfortable and their coat healthy. But, you may want to consider increasing to daily brushing, or at least brushing a few times a week, during the heavier shedding sessions. Bathing is only required on occasion.

In addition to general coat care, you also need to care for your Schipperke’s nails, ears, and teeth. Once or twice monthly nail trimming is usually sufficient in order to keep nails from growing too long.

Checking ears weekly and carefully cleaning as needed can help prevent ear infections. Practicing good dental care for dogs, like brushing teeth or using an enzyme toothpaste every day in addition to cleanings at the vet when needed, can help prevent dental disease later in life.

The Schipperke is an active dog breed with moderate exercise requirements. They are energetic and like to be busy. Daily walks, in addition to some extra playtime and activity, are usually enough for this little dog to stay happy and healthy.

They’re also quite robust for their small size, so they will likely be up for more activity if you are. Your Schipperke will just be happy to be spending time with you. They may enjoy trips to the dog park, going on a hike with you, and more. Schipperkes are also good candidates for a few different types of dog sports like agility, obedience, and even herding.

They are even considered one of the unconventional hunting dogs that shouldn’t be overlooked, and tend to excel at assisting with hunting small game. Whatever activities you do with your Schip, just make sure they are low impact until Schipperke puppies finish growing to avoid damage to developing bones and joints.

Fully-grown Schipperkes usually stand 10-13 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 10-16 pounds. Females usually average 10-12 inches tall, while males tend to average 11-13 inches tall. This makes the Schipperke one of the smallest dog breeds.

A Schipperke generally lives 12-16 years on average.

Schipperke is Flemish for “little captain”. Other translations include “little shepherd” and “little boatman”. Although many U.S. owners pronounce it [skip-er-kee], the correct pronunciation is [sheep-er-ker].

Schipperkes are also ancestors of some dog breeds, and were key in developing them. One of the facts about Alaskan Klee Kai is that Schipperkes are one of the breeds in their ancestry.