Schipperke

also known as Spitske, Spitzke, Spits

Pros Summary


The Schipperke is a small dog breed that originated in Belgium. They were originally bred as watchdogs and ratters on boats and barges. The breed was first recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) in 1888. It is also recognized by other kennel clubs and organizations such as the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC). Schipperkes are known for their highly energetic, curious and independent personalities, they make great family pets, but they require regular exercise and consistent training. They are also known for their thick and fluffy coat which requires regular grooming.

Breed Information


Type

Is Schipperke a purebred?

Purebred

Pronunciation

How do you pronounce the Schipperke name? How do you say Schipperkes?

SKIH-puhr-kee

Purpose

What were Schipperkes originally used for?

barge dog, watchdog,

Lifespan

How Long Do Schipperkes Live? What is average life expectancy for a Schipperke? How long can Schipperkes live?

13-15 years

The average Schipperke lifespan is somewhere between 13-15 years, provided they aren't beset by any exceptional health issues or injuries.

Schipperke Height & Weight


How big is a full grown Schipperke?

What is the average height of a Schipperke? How big is a Purebred Schipperke height? Schipperke dog height:
Height
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 11-13 inches (27.9 - 33 cm) 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) 12.0 inches (30.5 cm) 12.0 inches (30.5 cm)
Female 10-12 inches (25.4 - 30.5 cm) 6.0 inches (15.2 cm) 11.0 inches (27.9 cm) 11.0 inches (27.9 cm)
What is the average weight of a Schipperke? How much should Schipperkes weigh?
Weight
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 12-16 pounds (5 - 7 kg) 8.0 pounds (4 kg) 11.0 pounds (5 kg) 14.0 pounds (6 kg)
Female 11-15 pounds (5 - 7 kg) 7.5 pounds (3 kg) 10.5 pounds (5 kg) 13.0 pounds (6 kg)
Weight Gain Potential

Do Schipperkes get fat easily?

They are known for having a strong tendency to become overweight. It is important to find a balance between providing enough exercise and controlling their food intake. To maintain a healthy weight, it is recommended to increase the frequency and duration of daily walks and to engage in more playtime with the Schipperke.

Hypoallergenic

Are Schipperkes Hypoallergenic?

No

Unfortunately, the Schipperke is not hypoallergenic, making it not a good choice for a dog lover who suffers from pet allergies.

Temperament

What is a Schipperke personality? What are Schipperke dogs best known for?

Agile
Curious
Fearless
Intelligent
Confident
Faithful
Independent

Shedding Level

Are Schipperkes heavy shedders? How Much Does a Schipperke Shed?

Schipperke dogs are not heavy shedders, but they will lose a significant amount of hair each year. To decrease the amount of shedding, you can regularly brush your Schipperke. This will remove loose hair and keep his coat growing in the same direction.

Watchdog Ability

What is the watchdog ability of a Schipperke dog?

The Schipperke dogs are average watchdogs. If they sense something different, this breed will alert their owner.

Breed History


Origin

Where do Schipperkes come from?

Belgium

Ancestry

What are Schipperkes descended from?

sheepdog

Date of Birth

When were Schipperkes first bred? How old is the Schipperke breed?

1600s

Breed Group

What Breed Group is a Schipperke?

Non Sporting (AKC:1904)
Companion Breeds (UKC)

Schipperke Appearance


Eye Color Possibilites

What color are Schipperke eyes?

Brown

Nose Color Possibilites

What color can Schipperke nose be naturally?

Black

Coat Color Possibilites

What color can Schipperke coat be naturally?

Black
Cream
Brown
Blue

Coat Length

How long is a Schipperkes coat?

The coat of a Schipperke falls in the medium length category.

Coat Density

How Dense Is The Schipperke Coat?

Coat Texture

What is the texture of the hair of a Schipperke?

Straight

Litter Size

How many puppies can a Schipperke have in a litter? How many puppies can a Schipperke have in her first litter?

13-15 puppies per pregnancy

A Schipperke can have a litter of 13-15 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Adaptability

Schipperkes are known for their adaptability and versatility, they are capable of adapting well to a wide range of lifestyle changes and living environments. They are a highly adaptable breed, and make great companions for families and individuals of all lifestyles.

Schipperke Health Issues


Health Issues

Do Schipperkes have a lot of health problems?

The Schipperke is generally considered to be healthy. However, like all breeds, they are susceptible to certain health issues and it is important to keep an eye out for them and address them with your veterinarian as needed.

Major Concerns

What are the major health concerns to be aware of when owning a Schipperke?

Usually A Very Healthy Breed

Minor Concerns

What are the less significant issues to keep in mind when it comes to Schipperkes?

Entropion
Epilepsy
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

Occasional Tests

What are the occasional tests recommended for Schipperke breed?

Eye
Hip
X-Rays
MRI
Eye Examination

Schipperke Needs and Activities


Energy

Do Schipperkes have a lot of energy?

Schipperkes are high-energy dogs, thus an active lifestyle suits them well.

Social Needs

Do Schipperkes need socialization? How social are Schipperkes?

Schipperkes have average social needs compared to other breeds. They are known to be less active and independent than other breeds, and they are content with spending time alone and with their human family.

Exercise Needed

How much exercise should Schipperkes get?

The Schipperke needs a high level of physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They also make great companions for people who lead an active lifestyle and enjoy running, hiking or other outdoor activities. These breeds are not suitable for people with sedentary lifestyle or those who live in small apartments

Sleeping Need

How much sleep should a Schipperke have? Do Schipperkes sleep a lot?

Schipperkes are active dogs that don't require as much sleep as other breeds. However, they still need enough sleep to stay healthy.

Drooling Tendency

Does a Schipperke drool a lot?

The Schipperke is a breed of dog that is characterized by its minimal drooling, making it an ideal choice for people who dislike drool marks on their clothing.

Tendency to Bark

How much does it bark?

Schipperkes are known to bark very little or not at all. They tend to be very quiet and do not bark excessively. They may only bark in specific situations, such as when they need to alert their owner to something important or when they are in distress.

Territorial

Do Schipperkes exhibit aggressive behavior to safeguard their home and territory? Do they possess a natural tendency to guard?

Schipperke dogs are known for being average at defending. They possess the capability to defend their territory or owners, but it is not their primary trait. They are not the best choice for guard dogs

Mouthiness

Are Schipperkes mouthy?

Roaming urge

What is the likelihood of a Schipperke running away? Do they have a tendency to explore or wander frequently?

Prey Drive

Do Schipperke dogs have a high prey drive?

Past times

What do Schipperkes enjoy doing? How do I keep my Schipperke busy?

Walks, "Love fests", More walks, Sniffing, Training, Play, Walk

Activity Level

What is the energy level of a Schipperke? How much energy does a Schipperke have?

Medium

Schipperkes are medium-energy dogs and typically enjoy socializing and playing casual or even sustained games of chase with other dogs. They may also have occasional periods of barking or racing around the house.

Tolerance of being left alone

Walks per Week

How far should a Schipperke walk each week? How many miles should a Schipperke walk every week?

7 miles / week

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Schipperke, it's at least 7 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

Activity per Day

How much a Schipperke should exercise a day? How much activity does a Schipperke need?

45 minutes

In general most Schipperkes usually need at least 45 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

Grooming

What level of grooming should be provided for a Schipperke?

The Schipperke is a breed of dog that is known for its low grooming needs.

Brushing Frequency

How often should you brush a Schipperke?

Weekly

Schipperke should be brushed at least once a week. Of course you can give them more frequent brushes if you find that they are still shedding a lot

Brushing Tools

What are the most commonly used brushing tools for Schipperkes?

Pin Brush
Slicker Brush
Comb
Nail Clipper

Costs


Cups

How many cups of food does a Schipperke eat?

0.8 cups

For an average 12-16 pound (5 - 7 kg) Schipperke feed 0.8 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

Daily Cost

How Much Does a Schipperke Cost Daily?

$1.10 - $1.40 / day

The average cost of a Schipperke is somewhere $1.10 - $1.40 per day.

Monthly Cost

How Much Does a Schipperke Cost Per Month?

$35 - $42 / month

The average per month expenses of a Schipperke is between $35 - $42. This makes an average of $420 - $504 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Schipperke Characteristic


Intelligence

How intelligent is a Schipperke?

The Schipperke breed is considered very intelligent and easy to train.

Sensitivity Level

How sensitive is a Schipperke dog?

This dog breed is more sensitive than others and easily overwhelmed by new surroundings and people. They need gentle handling and a calm, stable home environment with positive reinforcement training.

Affection Dependance

Are Schipperke dogs affectionate?

Apartment Friendly

Do Schipperke do well in apartments? Are Schipperkes good indoor dogs?

It's not recommended to keep the Schipperke in an apartment, but this breed make good apartment dogs as long as they get to spend a good amount of time outside of the apartment. Schipperkes living in apartments will need plenty of physical exercise and stimulation throughout the day to remain happy and well-behaved.

Child Friendly

Are Schipperkes good with kids? Are Schipperkes good around children?

Schipperkes are kid-friendly dogs. They are good with children and excellent dogs with children if they are socialized and trained at a young age.

Senior-friendly

Are Schipperkes good for elderly?

Cat Friendly

Are Schipperkes good with cats? How friendly Schipperkes are toward cats?

Schipperkes are one of the best dogs for cats. They're accept cats readily as part of the family. However, this dog breed should be trained to not chase after the kitty early on

Dog Friendly

Do Schipperke dogs get along with other dogs? Are Schipperkes OK with other dogs?

Schipperkes are average friendly towards other dogs. If they are raised with other dogs, they are likely to get along with them. And, if they are socialized properly from a young age, they will usually be great with other dogs.

Pet friendly

How do Schipperke dogs interact with other pets? Are they considered pet-friendly?

Stranger Friendly

Are Schipperkes friendly with strangers?

Schipperkes are below average friendly around strangers. Keen of eye and sharp of tongue, most Schipperkes are very quick to announce strangers at the door. Once the visitor comes in, some Schipperkes will be friendly and outgoing. But many others have the standoffish or suspicious towards strangers.

Playfulness

Do Schipperkes like to play? Are Schipperkes playful?

Schipperkes are known to be highly playful dog. So if you're not up for all that, think about adopting a slightly older Schipperke for a mellower experience.

Trainability

Are Schipperke easily trained?

Schipperke dogs are usually easy to train, but may require consistency to fully obey commands.

Pros Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Boat Dog
    The Schipperke breed has an inclination towards being on boats.
  • Cat Friendly
    Cats and Schipperkes make a great mix.
  • Rarely barks
    If you're looking for a quieter dog, this breed could be a good option as they are known for being relatively peaceful.

Cons

  • Not Hypoallergenic
    People with allergies should be aware that Schipperkes may cause allergic reactions.
  • Not suitable for office environment
    Schipperkes are not suited to the office environment
  • Tendency to gain weight
    The Schipperke breed is highly likely to gain weight.
  • Not Apartment Friendly
    Schipperke dogs may not be suitable for indoor living environments.
  • High energy levels
    They require regular exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behavior.