Schipperke
Other names: LBD

The Schipperke is a bold, lively and protective dog who was originally used to guard boats and hunt rats. With its small size, adorable yet easy-to-care-for coat and friendly attitude, the Schipperke has become a popular family companion dog. With high intelligence and bags of curiosity can come trouble - yes, this breed has ‘small dog, big personality’ down to perfection. Truthfully, you’ll never have a dull day with the Schipperke around, but then, you may never have a quiet one, either!
Key facts about the Schipperke
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Origins and history
The origins of the Schipperke go way back to the late seventeenth century, when documents speak of a dog who lived with the cobblers of the Saint-Géey district of Brussels. These shoemakers organized strange canine "exhibitions" where the subject was not so much the dog as the necklace made by craftsmen! According to legend, a shoddy cobbler who did badly at one of these necklace shows, expressed his disappointment by cutting off the tail of the winning dog. That dog was so prized that a trend started, and other owners began to cut the tail of their dogs. Fortunately, this practice is now prohibited.
FCI breed nomenclature
FCI Group
Group 1 - Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs)
Section
Section 1 : Sheepdogs
Physical characteristics of the Schipperke
Adult size
Female : Between 8 and 12 in
Male : Between 8 and 12 in
Weight
Female : Between 7 and 20 lb
Male : Between 7 and 20 lb
Coat colour
Black.
Type of coat
Medium length, double, thick, straight and soft.
Eye colour
Dark brown.
Description
The Schipperke is a truly distinctive looking breed, with a lovely, fluffy black coat and fox-like face. The ears are small and pointy, standing completely erect at the top of the head. The head is wedge-shaped with eyes which are small and dark with an alert, mischievous gleam. The body is small and thick for its size, with short legs and a well-muscled, stocky appearance.
Good to know
The Schipperke is commonly nicknamed the ‘Little Black Devil’ due to its mischievous and lively nature - you have been warned!
Temperament
Behaviour of the Schipperke
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Is the Schipperke right for you?
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Compatibility
Price
We do not have enough data to set an average price, but you can expect to pay upwards of £400 for a well-bred puppy. Looking after a dog of this size typically costs between £50 to £80 a month, including food, medical/insurance, and incidental expenses.
Grooming
You may think that the Schipperke’s lovely coat is high-maintenance in terms of grooming, but that couldn’t be further from the truth! All this breed needs is a simple weekly brushing. The coat fluffs up and styles itself naturally, so there’s no need for trimming or cutting.
Shedding
Low shedding generally, but sheds heavily twice a year.
Nutrition of the Schipperke
Generally, the Schipperke will do well on a high-quality dog food which is appropriate for its current age. However, a particularly active dog of this breed (which, ideally, all should be) could benefit from an active dog formula.
Health of the Schipperke
Life expectancy
This is a healthy and robust breed, known to have a particularly long lifespan - the oldest reported Schipperke was 17 and a half years old! Their average life expectancy is 14 years.
Strong / robust
The Schipperke is well-muscled for its size and fairly hardy. It is known to live longer than most breeds.
Withstand heat
Provide cold water and shade, and check for signs of heatstroke, if the weather turns hot.
Withstand cold
Its dense dress and tight undercoat give the Schipperke a very good protection against bad weather and cold.
Tendency to put on weight
The Schipperke should be okay as long as its exercise needs are met.
Common illnesses
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Cataracts
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Progressive Retinal Atrophy
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Leg-Calve-Perthes Disease
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Mucopolysaccharidosis Type IIIb