Schipperke

Belgium is where the Schipperke comes from, bred to guard barges, workshops and homes while keeping the rat population down. A grown dog typically weighs 3 to 7 kilograms and stands 25 to 33 centimetres at the shoulder, genuinely pocket sized, though the dog itself seems unaware of this. The pointed, fox-like head, dense black coat and busy, purposeful gait mark the breed out at a glance.

Size aside, the Schipperke carries on like a much larger animal. It notices everything, investigates anything new, and will let the whole street know when something changes. Owners often say it packs a large personality into a small frame. The breed attaches itself firmly to its people and likes to be involved in whatever's going on around the house or the section.

This is an active dog, not a couch ornament. It needs a solid outing every day plus something to occupy its mind. A flat can suit it well enough if the exercise is sorted, but a bored Schipperke will find its own entertainment, and that entertainment is rarely welcome.

Who it suits

The Schipperke suits people after an alert, lively companion who can match its appetite for activity and who enjoy training and games. Households wanting a quiet dog that keeps to itself may find the energy and alarm barking hard going.

The Schipperke traces back to the Flemish region of Belgium, where it is generally considered a smaller offshoot of a larger black Belgian sheepdog type, bred down over generations to suit close, cramped working spaces.

For much of its history the breed earned its keep as a tradesman's dog. Schipperkes guarded workshops and homes and rode the canal barges, keeping the boats clear of rats along the way. The name itself is often linked to the word for a small boat or boatman, though word historians still argue over the exact origin.

Belgian fanciers formalised the breed in the late nineteenth century. A breed club was set up in Belgium in 1888, and a written standard followed soon after, locking in the type still recognised today.

From there the Schipperke travelled to Britain, the United States and eventually New Zealand, generally arriving as a companion and small-scale watchdog rather than a working barge dog. Any Schipperke imported to New Zealand now comes in under MPI's strict biosecurity and quarantine rules, and the breed remains an uncommon one here, kept mainly by dedicated enthusiasts and hobby breeders registered with Dogs New Zealand.

The Schipperke is compact and square in outline, with a deep chest and a level back. The head tapers to a fox-like point, the ears are small, erect and triangular, and the dark oval eyes give it a permanently alert expression. Everything about the dog suggests quick, purposeful movement.

Coat and colours

The coat stands off the body and grows longer in several places: a ruff around the neck, a cape over the shoulders, and feathering at the rear sometimes called the culottes. Solid black is the classic colour and the one most people picture. A few registries accept other solid colours, but black remains the standard expectation. The dense undercoat sheds year round and blows out heavily during seasonal changes, so a vacuum on hand is no bad idea.

For its size, the Schipperke is remarkably bold. It fixes itself firmly to its family and wants to be wherever the household is busiest. With familiar people it is affectionate, playful and often cheeky.

Strangers get a more guarded reception. The breed picks up on changes in its surroundings fast and barks to flag visitors or anything out of the ordinary, a habit that goes straight back to its watchdog work on the barges. Steady, early socialising keeps this wariness from tipping into outright suspicion.

Around other pets the Schipperke generally does fine, particularly if raised alongside them, though its strong prey drive means small animals such as rats or guinea pigs may be chased on sight. It gets on well with older children who treat it with respect. Its quick reactions and high energy mean time with toddlers needs supervision.

Grooming

• Brush the double coat once or twice a week to clear loose hair and stop the ruff and rear feathering matting.
• Step brushing up to most days during seasonal sheds, when the undercoat blows out properly.
• Bathe only when needed; the coat sheds dirt fairly easily on its own.
• Trim nails every few weeks and check ears for wax or debris.
• Brush teeth regularly to keep on top of dental health.

Exercise

• Aim for at least 45 to 60 minutes of activity a day, split across walks and play.
• Add mental work such as training games, scent work or puzzle feeders.
• Use a securely fenced section or run for off-lead play; the breed is agile and keen to explore.
• Dog sports such as agility or obedience suit the breed's drive well and are worth a look through your local club.

Environment

The Schipperke settles into a flat or a house as long as its exercise needs are met. A secure section or a reliable walking routine both work. Because it's curious and a fair climber and escape artist, check fence lines and gates for gaps before letting it off lead in a new spot.

The Schipperke needs a complete and balanced diet matched to its life stage. Being small and active, portion control matters more than it might seem: it's easy to overfeed a dog this size, and any extra weight puts strain on the joints and back. Pick a food formulated for small breeds, or one with an appropriately sized kibble, and adjust the amount to keep the dog lean.

Treats and supplements

Keep treats to a small share of the daily food allowance and factor them into meal measuring. Most Schipperkes on a complete diet need no extra supplements. Check with a vet before adding anything for joints, skin or other conditions, and keep fresh water down at all times.

The Schipperke is a generally healthy, long-lived breed, typically reaching 13 to 15 years. Sound breeding and regular vet care both support that longevity. As with any breed, a handful of inherited and age-related conditions crop up more often than others and are worth knowing about.

Preventive care

• Keep core vaccinations and parasite prevention current.
• Book annual checkups, with more frequent visits once the dog is a senior.
• Keep body condition lean to protect the joints and back.
• Stay on top of dental care to prevent periodontal disease.
• Choose a puppy from a breeder who tests for the conditions known in the breed.

The Schipperke is a sharp learner, which makes training genuinely rewarding when it's kept consistent. That same intelligence comes with an independent streak, so the dog will test boundaries and switch off during repetitive drills. Short, varied, motivating sessions get the best results. Early socialising matters too, both to soften the breed's natural wariness of strangers and to get on top of alarm barking before it turns into a habit.

Basics

1. Start socialising early, introducing the puppy to people, places and other animals.
2. Teach a solid recall; the breed is curious and prone to wandering off.
3. Set house manners and crate or boundary training from day one.
4. Introduce a settle or quiet cue to manage barking.
5. Build up duration and distraction gradually, keeping sessions short and upbeat.

Schipperkes reach physical maturity within their first year, though breeders generally hold off until a dog is fully grown and health tested before breeding from it. Bitches are bred on a sound, well-spaced schedule that takes their condition and age into account. Gestation in dogs runs about 63 days on average.

Litters tend to be small to medium. The dam usually manages whelping and early care herself, but a warm, quiet whelping area and close monitoring help, particularly in a small breed where the puppies are tiny at birth. Puppies are weaned over several weeks and do better long term with early, gentle handling and socialising.

Responsible breeding comes down to health. Both parents should be screened for conditions known in the breed, including the genetic test for MPS IIIB, along with patella, hip and eye evaluations. Breeders working through Dogs New Zealand can access health testing schemes and pedigree records that help match dogs for sound temperament and structure, keeping the breed's working character intact.

Schipperke registration and microchip registration in New Zealand

Keeping a Schipperke findable is mostly paperwork: a profile carrying your phone number, a photo, and the dog's details, sitting where a scan can reach it. Registering your dog with United Pet Club sets that up free, and the record never lapses or bills you.

A scanned chip is only ever as useful as its record. Pop your Schipperke's fifteen digit number into a free United Pet Club account and the record does the rest: free updates after every move, every brand accepted, searchable day and night. Microchip registration first, account alongside.