Schipperke

People usually start looking up Schipperkes when they’re weighing up a small watchdog for a unit, checking whether the breed will cope with family life, or trying to make sense of grooming, barking, and the handful of health conditions that come up in breed conversations.

They’re compact, quick, and very switched on. That combination can be delightful in the right home and exhausting in the wrong one. What matters is knowing what’s typical for the breed (and what’s marketing), then matching that to your space, time, and tolerance for noise.

Schipperke at a glance

• Size: Small, square and sturdy
• Typical weight: About 5.5–7.5 kg in many kennel-club standards (some individuals lighter/heavier) ^{1, 2}
• Height: Often around the low-30 cm mark at the withers (varies by sex and line)
• Coat: Dense double coat with a distinctive ruff and “culottes”
• Colours: Usually black; some standards allow other solid colours, while others accept black only ^{1, 2, 3}
• Temperament: Alert, lively, curious; often a dedicated watchdog
• Exercise needs: Moderate to high (short dog, big engine)
• Training needs: Consistent, reward-based training; early socialisation matters
• Life expectancy: Commonly around the early-to-mid teens, with variation by individual and care ⁷

History and origin

The Schipperke developed in Belgium as a small working dog: a sharp-eyed property guardian and a determined ratter. They were also kept on boats and around canals, which is where the enduring “little skipper/captain” story comes from.

Modern breed standards describe the same practical shape: compact, agile, weather-resistant, and always on duty, even when the “duty” is simply noticing everything that moves. ^{1, 2, 3}

Physical characteristics and appearance

A Schipperke is a small spitz-type dog with a fox-like head, pricked ears, and a dense coat that sits differently across the body: shorter on the head and legs, then building into a mane-like ruff around the neck and longer feathering over the back of the thighs (the “culottes”). ³

One common point of confusion is colour. Internationally, the Schipperke is often described as black. Some kennel-club standards, including Dogs Australia, also allow other solid colours, though they’re uncommon in Australia. ^{1, 2}

Temperament: what they’re like to live with

This is an observant little dog. Many Schipperkes track the household’s movements closely, notice new sounds fast, and will often use their voice as an alarm. That makes them good watchdogs, but it can be a challenge in close neighbours’ range if you don’t actively teach calm behaviour.

They’re also independent-minded. Training tends to go best when it’s brief, regular, and rewarding, with clear boundaries that don’t shift day to day.

With children and other pets, outcomes depend on the individual dog, early socialisation, and supervision. They’re small but quick, and they can play with intensity.

Training and exercise needs

Schipperkes are built to stay busy. They usually do best with daily walks plus short bursts of brain work—training games, scent games, food puzzles, or learning a new cue—rather than a single long session that drags.

What helps most

• Early socialisation: calm exposure to people, dogs, noises, surfaces, and handling (ears, paws, brushing).
• Reward-based training: fast feedback, small treats, and short sessions suit their attention span.
• Noise habits: teach a “quiet” cue and reward checking-in behaviour before barking becomes the default.
• Secure boundaries: curiosity is part of the package; management prevents rehearsing escape habits.

Health concerns to know about

Most Schipperkes live active lives, but like all breeds they have patterns of risk. The most useful approach is practical: choose a breeder (or rescue) who can explain what they screen for, and keep regular vet checks so small issues don’t become chronic ones.

Conditions that come up in the breed

• MPS IIIB (mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIB): a serious inherited neurodegenerative disease identified in Schipperkes. Symptoms often appear around 2–4 years of age, and DNA testing exists to guide breeding decisions. ^{6, 8}
• Hip dysplasia and patellar (kneecap) issues: can occur in small breeds; screening and sensible body condition help reduce impact over a lifetime.
• Eye disease (including forms of progressive retinal atrophy): PRA is a group of inherited retinal degenerations that ultimately lead to blindness. If you’re buying a puppy, ask what eye testing is done in that line. ⁹
• Hypothyroidism: reported in the breed; signs can be subtle (coat changes, lethargy, weight gain) and are worth discussing with your vet if they appear. ⁶

Note: obesity is not a “breed trait”, but small, clever dogs can become overweight quickly if food is generous and exercise is patchy. Keeping a lean body condition is one of the simplest ways to protect joints and stamina over time.

Grooming and coat care

The Schipperke coat looks dramatic, but it’s designed to be functional. Most of the year, a thorough brush once or twice a week is enough to lift dead undercoat and keep the ruff and culottes tidy.

Twice a year many Schipperkes “blow” coat. During those weeks, daily brushing can make a noticeable difference to hair around the house and to skin comfort.

• Brushing: focus on the neck ruff, behind the ears, and the back of the thighs where coat can pack down.
• Bathing: occasional, as needed; rinse thoroughly so residue doesn’t irritate the skin.
• Nails and teeth: keep nails short and teeth clean; small dogs can develop dental disease quietly.

Living with a Schipperke: practical tips

Schipperkes often thrive in smaller homes if their minds are kept busy and their routines are steady. The bigger risk in tight living isn’t space—it’s boredom, noise complaints, and a dog that starts patrolling the world from the window.

Quick checks before you commit

• Can you manage barking? Plan for training and for neighbour-friendly routines.
• Is your yard genuinely secure? Dogs should be confined to the property unless under effective control, with fencing they can’t get over, under, or through. ⁵
• Do you have time for daily engagement? Not just walks—short training and enrichment.
• Are you prepared to prevent roaming? Roaming dogs are more likely to be injured, lost, or involved in incidents; confinement is also a legal expectation in many places. ^{4, 5}
• Is your dog microchipped and details current? It’s one of the simplest ways to get a lost dog home. ¹⁰

Rescue and adoption

If you’re open to adoption, Schipperkes (and Schipperke crosses) do appear in rescue from time to time. Ask about barking, separation tolerance, and how the dog behaves around visitors—those day-to-day patterns matter more than a tidy breed description.

When you adopt, set the first fortnight aside for decompression: quiet routines, short walks, gentle training, and a secure yard. Behaviour often changes once the dog feels safe and predictable rhythms return.

Final thoughts

A Schipperke is small, but rarely “easy”. They tend to be bright, alert, and loyal, with a strong watchdog streak and a coat built for weather. If you like a dog that notices everything and wants to be involved, they can be a steady, entertaining companion for many years. If you want quiet, low-effort, and unfussed, this isn’t the breed to gamble on.

References

1. Dogs Australia (ANKC) – Schipperke breed standard
2. The Kennel Club (UK) – Schipperke breed standard
3. Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) – Schipperke standard (No. 83)
4. Agriculture Victoria – Confine your dog (legal requirements and safety)
5. Agriculture Victoria – Code of Practice for the Private Keeping of Dogs
6. The Schipperke Club (UK) – General health information (including MPS IIIB)
7. Burke’s Backyard – Schipperke breed profile
8. Wisdom Panel – MPS IIIB (discovered in the Schipperke): signs, onset, inheritance
9. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine – Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
10. RSPCA Australia – Microchipping