GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: Approx. 30-36cm (12”-14”).
Colour: Black, or any other whole colour permitted.
Coat: Dense, abundant and harsh, with profuse frill and breeches. Smooth on the head, ears and legs.
Gait: Short, brisk stride with fore and hindlegs moving straight.
This compact little foxy headed dog is intensely lively. The flat rather broad skull has a slight stop and a fine muzzle which must be well filled in beneath the expressive brown eyes. The high set ears are carried stiffly erect. The rather short neck runs into a strong, straight, short back with only a slight slope to the customary completely docked tail. The chest is broad and deep. The hindquarters are more muscular than the forequarters and the strong legs finish with small catlike feet.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
Pronounced ‘skip-er-key’, the silhouette of this dog resembles no other breed. They are one of the hardiest of the smaller breeds and, due to their insatiable curiosity, make staunch little watch dogs as they miss nothing.
Easily trained and completely adaptable to apartment life or the country, they make ideal pets. Periodic grooming will keep their skin and coat healthy and remove any dead hair and prevent shedding.
HISTORY
Although resembling some of the small spitz breeds, in actual fact these dogs are really small sheepdogs and were once known as ‘Leavenaars’. Their lineage is similar to that of the Groenendael and when born with longer tails, are almost identical in shape. During the mid 19th century, the larger whelps from a litter were taken and gradually bred up to a larger herding dog, while the smaller ones were bred down in size to become a better sized little ratter, and a more useful size for the canal boats in Europe. Originally known by the name ‘Spits’ or ‘Spitske’, the name was changed to Schipperke meaning ‘Little Captain’ in Flemish. While many are born tailless, for those who are not, docking takes place soon after birth.