Schipperke - Overview and History
Dog Breeds
The Schipperke, meaning ‘little captain’ in Flemish, is a breed of dog in the Non-Sporting Group. This dog breed is well known for their superior watch dog capabilities and for their loyal, yet independent, nature. The Schipperke was approved by the AKC in 1990.
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Introduction
The Schipperke, meaning ‘little captain’ in Flemish, is a breed of dog in the Non-Sporting Group. This breed is well known for their superior watch dog capabilities and for their loyal, yet independent, nature. The Schipperke was approved by the AKC in 1990.
The average Schipperke stands 10 to 13 inches high at the shoulders and weighs between 12 and 18 pounds. Their thick double coat requires regular brushing to keep it free of tangles, and this breed will blow their coat up to 3 times a year which can cause excessive shedding.
Temperament
The Schipperke is a very alert, curious, and faithful dog. They are natural watch and guard dogs, and as a result they are continually watching everything, and everyone, around them. This breed will form a very close bond with its primary caretaker, but it will also form bonds with family members too. The Schipperke is naturally reserved and aloof towards strangers, but aggression is not a standard personality trait of the breed. Despite this breed’s strong hunting instincts, they will get along well with other cats and dogs as long as they are socialized well.
Pet owners of the Schipperke need to ensure that their dog is socialized and consistently trained. This breed also has enormous amounts of energy, and they need constant access to exercise and play throughout the day. The Schipperke can be difficult to train because of their independent nature, but with patience and positive reinforcement the Schipperke can be properly trained.
Health
The average life expectancy of the Schipperke is 12 to 15 years. Increased health risks associated with this breed include epilepsy, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, progressive retinal atrophy, Legg-Calves-Perthes disease, and cataracts.
History
The Schipperke was developed in Belgium in the late 1600’s in order to create a small companion and watchdog. This breed is a smaller version of the sheepdog known as the Leauvenaar, and for many years they were a favorite watch and companion dog on canal boats which is where they received their ‘little captain’ name.
Schipperke
Quick Facts
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Weight: 12-18 lbs
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Height: 10-13 in
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Coat: Thick, requires regular grooming
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Temperament: Alert, curious, faithful
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Lifespan: 12-15 years
Personality
Pictures