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Highlander Kennels

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About The Schipperke

Is The Schipperke The Right Dog For You?

The Schipperke is a little black bundle of energy!  They should be from the highest point of the withers 11-13 inches for males and 10-12 inches for females.  Though small in size they are big on intelligence and steadfast in loyalty.  This little ball of black fur is fearless but not aggressive, happy and eager to please but can be a bit stubborn.  They are a wonderful watch dog, always alert and attuned to their surroundings.  They will surely let you know when you have a visitor but are not a "yappy" dog.  They are social and eager to please their owners but can be stand-offish to strangers in the home until they get to know them.  They have a tendency to want to check out everything and be the center of attention.  They are highly energetic and require plenty of exercise.

Schipperkes have been called "little black bears" and "angels with an attitude".  They are known for not shedding but "blowing" their coat twice a year.  They require little grooming just a weekly brushing, daily when they are "blowing" their coat.  They are know for no doggy smell and are a very clean dog. 

If you choose to invite a Schipperke into your family you will find that you have a wonderful companion and a great addition to your life.  You will find that everywhere you go people will come up and ask you "What kind of dog is that"?  You will also be happy to find that you have a truly wonderful and unique addition to your family!

The Origins of the Schipperke*

The Schipperke is a little black, fluffy, tail-less dog with a long and legendary past.  Its origins date back to the 17th century to the Belgium capital of Brussels were the dog was primarily used to guard the barges and boats.  But there are some that believe they were bred as herder and guard dogs for the Belgium shepherds.  It is said that Schipperke is loosely translated from the Flemish word "scheper" which means shepherd and Ke which is the diminutive suffix conveying the sense of little the size of the dog hence "little shepherd".  Then there is the more popular translation which is derived from the Dutch work Schipper which means skipper or boat captain, hence Schipperke, "little captain" or "little skipper".  Both stories are widely excepted and been subject of great debate.

The Schipperke was used to model fancy copper collars for the cobblers in Belgium in the 17th and 18th century.  They would display their work by parading them around town to display their craftsmanship.  It is said that the reason they started to "dock" the tails is that there was a dispute between two cobblers.  The dog of the first cobbler was making unwanted visits to the property of the second cobbler and he cut the tail off the little dog.  The first cobbler liked the look of the little dog without the rear appendage therefore creating the tail-less Schipperke.  To this day it is breed "standard" to have the tail completely removed. 

Click here to view pictures of our Schipperekes.

MPS IIIB*

Mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIB is a newly identified genetic disease found in both humans and Schipperkes.  When a dog is affected it is ultimately lethal.  The gene has been identified and it is imperative that you get your dog tested for this disease prior to breeding if you are going to use your dog for breeding.  To find out more about this disease please use the following link to go to the Schipperke Club of America's web site to get all the information you need and to find out how to get a testing kit. 

 www.schipperkeclub-usa.org

*information taken from "The Complete Schipperke" by the Schipperke Club of America.

*information taken form the Schipperke Club of America's web site.