The Schipperke belongs to the first group of this classification: the Shepherd and Cattle Dogs (except the Swiss Cattle Dog). They are obedience dogs par excellence and very versatile; they are capable of carrying out many professions. They tend to bark. This is due to their territorial and protective instinct; they perfectly prevent an intrusion. They are endurance dogs, and their physical abilities are combined with a good jaw. The Schipperke is more precisely part of the first category of this group and is therefore related to the Shepherd Dogs.

Even if the features of the Schipperke are similar to those of the Spitz and the Belgian Shepherd Dogs, it is in reality descended from the Leuwenaars, ancient small shepherds from the Louvain region. That said, other sources indicate that it may have come from a type of Northern Spitz. In any case, it seems that this breed is quite old because it is said that William of Orange escaped an attack thanks to the vigilance of his Schipperke. This tailless dog was for a long time the most popular in Belgium as a guard or companion dog. His name is of Flemish origin and means “little boatman” or “skipper” because, in fact, he was often given the task of monitoring the banks on the canals of Flanders and Brabant. In artisan shops, he served as a ratter. From 1960, the cobblers of the brotherhood of Saint Crispin of Brussels organized competitions of dogs adorned with the most beautiful collar. It was in 1888, when a Schipperke appeared for the first time at one of these competitions in 1880, that the breed was officially recognized by the Royal Schipperkes Club of Brussels. And in 1904, it received an official standard. The Schipperkes Club de France was founded in 1929. Nowadays, this dog breed is especially popular in England and South Africa.

The Schipperke measures between 32 and 36 cm and weighs 3 to 8 kg depending on its size. This is the smallest shepherd dog with a hopping gait. The body of this dog is short and stocky, its chest broad and deep, its back straight and horizontal, its loins wide and its belly quite raised. Its limbs have fine bones. The Schipperke's feet are small, round and tight. Her nails are straight, strong and short. Its tail is absent or shortened in its standard. The Schipperke has a head similar to that of a fox. Its forehead is quite broad and slightly rounded. Its muzzle is tapered with a small nose. Its eyes are oval and dark brown. Its ears, placed high, are small, triangular, very straight and very mobile. The Schipperke's coat is called zain black, that is to say simple and uniform, without any mark of white. Its hair is abundant and dense. Short on the head, body and front of the limbs, it is however longer at the neckline (mane), shoulders, chest (jabot) and the back of its thighs (breeches).

The Schipperke is a robust, tireless dog with a good longevity of around 15 years. However, like all purebred dogs, it can present certain hereditary genetic pathologies. Among these, we find oligodontia, a dental anomaly characterized by a lack of teeth (often premolars and molars). An x-ray, from the age of 12 weeks, allows you to determine if a tooth never existed or if it is present but has not yet erupted. In this case, there is a risk of infection and surgery is required to extract the tooth. This is not a serious pathology, but the breeder must monitor this defect so that it does not become dominant in the breeding. There is also black hair dysplasia, which affects the hair follicles and is characterized by hair loss in the affected areas. The diagnosis is established on the basis of a clinical examination and a skin biopsy. Unfortunately, there are no treatments for this disease and only the inflammatory reactions it causes can be treated. Galactosialidosis, a metabolic disease due to the absence of a protein which causes damage to the nervous system, is another condition to which the Schipperke may be subject. Ranging from a simple lack of coordination to the impossibility of eating, drinking or even moving around. This disease is still poorly described and its diagnosis is made after autopsy of the lesions caused in the cerebellum. As there is no treatment yet, the fatal outcome of the disease is inevitable. Finally, juvenile diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that affects glucose metabolism. It is due to damage to the cells that produce insulin in the pancreas. This disease appears during the first year of life. That said, it is quite rare since only 1% of diabetic dogs are affected by type I diabetes (or insulin dependent, the others generally suffering from type II diabetes). The symptoms are: weight loss, eye problems and ketoacidosis attacks. It is the hyperglycemia and the high sugar level in the urine that will make the diagnosis possible. Treatment involves a suitable diet; a reduction in sugar intake as well as medicinal control of blood sugar levels through insulin injection. In terms of maintenance, the Schipperke requires brushing and combing two to three times a week.

The Schipperke is a fairly lively dog, very alert and cheerful. Initially a ratting dog (on barges) and terrier, which became a guard and companion dog, this tireless dog is very lively and is “on the job” for work. He monitors and reports any unusual element with his screaming voice; he's an alarm dog. He is faithful and tender with his masters and children. On the other hand, he is rather suspicious of strangers. He is very receptive to training for which we will surely have no trouble as he is intelligent. The Schipperke can make an ideal apartment dog provided you regularly provide him with food. opportunity to exercise.