Schipperke Breed Guide
Quick Summary
The Schipperke is an intense, highly intelligent, and deceptively robust small breed masquerading as a lapdog but possessing the drive and work ethic of a miniature shepherd. Best suited for active, engaged owners who can channel their sharp minds and high energy, they are fiercely loyal watchdogs that thrive on having a clear daily job to do.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Popular with Schipperke owners: Undercoat Rake · Puzzle Toys · Dog Food
Quick Facts
- origin countryBelgium
- breed groupNon-Sporting
- sizeSmall
- weight range10 to 16 pounds (4.5 to 7.3 kg)
- height range10 to 13 inches at the shoulder (25 to 33 cm)
- lifespan12 to 16 years
- coat typeDense, straight, weather-resistant double coat with a distinctive ruff, cape, and culottes
- common colorsSolid Black
- other namesSpitzke, Little Captain, Little Black Devil, LBD
- recognized byAKC, UKC, FCI, KC
Caring for a Schipperke
Living with a Schipperke is a lesson in perpetual motion; they are busy, highly observant dogs that treat their home like a kingdom to be patrolled. In my clinical experience, I often warn new owners that this is not a passive companion that will lounge on the sofa all day—they need at least 60 minutes of structured physical and mental exercise daily to prevent destructive boredom. They possess an incredibly high prey drive, meaning secure containment is non-negotiable, and they should never be walked off-leash in unsecured areas. While independent, they desperately want to be included in all household activities.
Is a Schipperke a good family pet?
Yes, they can make excellent family pets for active households with older children who understand canine boundaries. Their intense energy and herding instincts can be overwhelming for toddlers, and they will not tolerate rough handling or tail-pulling.
Do Schipperkes shed a lot?
They are moderate shedders year-round but ‘blow’ their dense undercoat completely once or twice a year. During these seasonal shedding periods, you will experience an absolute avalanche of black hair for about 2 to 3 weeks, requiring daily brushing.
Is a Schipperke good for first-time owners?
In my medical opinion, generally no. Their stubborn streak, high prey drive, and tendency to outsmart their owners mean they are far better suited for someone with prior training experience who understands how to manage independent Spitz or herding breeds.
Temperament & Personality
The Schipperke is famously nicknamed the ‘Little Black Devil’ for a reason—their curiosity and cleverness can easily morph into mischief if left unguided. They are fiercely loyal and protective of their family, often acting as alert sentries who will bark at any perceived shift in their environment. In my years treating this breed, I have found that they possess a confident, almost arrogant self-assurance that masks their small physical stature. Despite their independent nature, they form deep, lifelong bonds and can be incredibly affectionate on their own terms.
Is a Schipperke good with other pets?
They can co-exist happily with other dogs if socialized early, though they often try to boss other animals around. Because of their strong prey drive, I strongly advise against housing them with small pocket pets, rabbits, or birds, as they will view them as prey.
Pecute Self-Cleaning Undercoat Rake
- ✓Designed for thick double coats
- ✓Rounded teeth glide without irritating skin
- ✓Self-cleaning for quick fur removal
- Long teeth reach deep into thick double coats to pull out dead hair during heavy shedding seasons
How much attention does a Schipperke need?
While they do not need to be constantly held or coddled, they demand high mental engagement. They want to be in the same room as you, watching your every move, and will quickly develop behavior issues if isolated or excluded from daily family life.
Training & Behavior
Training a Schipperke requires consistency, creativity, and a great deal of patience, as they will quickly find loopholes in your house rules. They are highly intelligent and learn commands rapidly, but they will constantly question your authority if they find the training repetitive or boring. In my practice, I emphasize early, intensive socialization to curb their natural suspicion of strangers and tendency to bark at every passing sound.
Training Tips
- Keep training sessions short, dynamic, and limited to 5 to 10 minutes to maintain their active focus.
- Use high-value rewards like freeze-dried liver or cheese; boring kibble will not override their stubborn nature.
- Address alert barking early by teaching a ‘quiet’ or ‘thank you’ command rather than yelling, which they interpret as you barking along.
- Incorporate clicker training to stimulate their highly analytical brains.
- Set firm, consistent boundaries from day one; if you give them an inch, they will happily take a mile.
Fun Activities
- Agility trials and obstacle courses
- Scent work and nosework games
- Flyball and disc dog competitions
- Interactive puzzle toys and food-dispensing mazes
- Barn hunt challenges
Is a Schipperke easy to train?
They are highly capable of learning complex behaviors and tasks, but they are not ‘easy’ to train in the traditional sense. They are independent thinkers who constantly ask ‘what’s in it for me?’, requiring an owner who knows how to keep them motivated.
Schipperke Health Issues
Schipperkes are generally robust, long-lived dogs, but they are genetically predisposed to a few severe conditions. As a vet, I cannot stress enough the importance of buying only from breeders who perform comprehensive DNA screening, particularly for devastating metabolic and neurological disorders.
Mucopolysaccharidosis Type IIIB (MPS IIIB)
A devastating, fatal lysosomal storage disease specific to the Schipperke. It causes a progressive, toxic accumulation of cellular waste in the brain and organs, leading to rapid neurological decline.
Hypothyroidism
An underactive thyroid gland that slows down the dog’s metabolism. In my clinic, this is one of the most common endocrine disorders I diagnose in adult Schipperkes, but it is highly manageable with daily medication.
Patellar Luxation
A orthopedic condition where the kneecap slips out of its anatomical groove. It can range from mild, occasional slips to permanent dislocation requiring surgical correction to prevent early osteoarthritis.
DR CATCH Dog Puzzle Feeder Toy
- ✓Treat puzzle for IQ training
- ✓Slows eating
- ✓Suits puppies, small dogs and cats
- Food puzzles turn mealtime into a brain game, burning mental energy in clever, easily bored pets
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
An aseptic necrosis of the femoral head, meaning the head of the thigh bone spontaneously disintegrates due to poor blood supply, typically affecting young, small-breed dogs.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
A family of genetic eye diseases that cause the gradual, bilateral degeneration of the retina, eventually leading to irreversible blindness.
How long do Schipperkes typically live?
With proper preventative care, nutrition, and good genetics, they are incredibly long-lived, frequently reaching 12 to 16 years. In my practice, I have treated several hearty individuals who remained active and happy at 17 years old.
What to Feed a Schipperke
Schipperkes are notorious for their highly efficient metabolisms, meaning they can gain weight rapidly if overfed. In my practice, obesity is the number one preventable health issue I see in this breed, which puts dangerous, unnecessary stress on their small joints and hearts.
Best Diet
An ideal diet consists of a high-quality, portion-controlled commercial dry kibble formulated for active, small breeds. Look for diets that list real meat as the first ingredient and avoid formulas with excessive fillers, simple carbohydrates, or high fat percentages unless the dog is actively working in sports.
How to Feed
I always advise dividing their daily caloric intake into two strictly scheduled meals per day rather than free-feeding. This structured feeding schedule helps regulate their blood sugar, keeps their digestive systems on track, and prevents them from overeating out of sheer boredom.
How Much to Feed
Generally, an adult Schipperke requires between 1/2 to 1 cup of food daily, split between two meals. However, individual requirements vary wildly based on activity level, age, and spay/neuter status; owners should consult their veterinarian to calculate the exact daily caloric intake needed for their pet’s ideal weight.
Nutritional Tips
Incorporate joint supplements containing glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega-3 fatty acids early in life to protect against patellar luxation and arthritis. Additionally, limit treats to no more than 10% of their daily caloric intake to prevent rapid weight creep.
Schipperke Grooming Guide
The Schipperke’s harsh, double coat is surprisingly wash-and-wear, resisting dirt, mud, and water naturally. However, they do require targeted brushing to manage shedding and prevent their dense undercoat from matting, particularly during seasonal coat blows.
Coat Care
Brush the coat thoroughly at least once a week using a slicker brush and an undercoat rake to pull out dead hair. During their bi-annual coat blow, you will need to brush them daily to manage the massive influx of loose fur and prevent mats from forming around their ruff and culottes.
Skin Care
Bathe them only when necessary (usually every 6 to 8 weeks) using a mild, soap-free oatmeal shampoo. Over-bathing can strip the natural, protective oils from their skin, leading to dryness and irritation.
Eye Care
Gently wipe the corners of their eyes with a damp, soft cloth to remove any daily debris; tear staining is rarely an issue due to their dark coat.
Ear Care
Inspect their upright ears weekly for redness, debris, or a yeasty odor, cleaning them with a veterinarian-approved ear flusher if buildup is present.
Nail & Dental Care
Trim their nails every 3 to 4 weeks to prevent splaying of the paws, and brush their teeth daily with dog-safe enzymatic toothpaste, as small breeds are highly prone to periodontal disease.
Considerations for Pet Parents
Pros
- Extremely loyal, alert, and protective natural watchdogs
- Highly intelligent and quick to learn new tricks and tasks
- Robust, hardy, and long-lived with few genetic health crises if properly screened
- Compact size is highly convenient for travel and active city living
- Naturally clean coat that repels dirt and wet-dog odors exceptionally well
- Endless energy and enthusiasm for hiking, running, and outdoor adventures
Cons
- High tendency to bark excessively if not trained and managed early
- Intense shedding when they blow their double coat twice a year
- Strong-willed, independent streak requires experienced, firm handling
- Very high prey drive makes them unsafe around small pocket pets and cats
- Requires significant daily mental and physical exercise to prevent destructive behaviors
Best For
An active, engaged owner or family who has experience with independent, highly intelligent Spitz or herding breeds. They thrive with owners who enjoy dog sports, hiking, and providing consistent, positive training boundaries.
Not Recommended For
Sedentary owners, those who are away from home for long stretches, or first-time dog owners. They will quickly run circles around a passive owner or resort to destructive behaviors like digging, scratching, and wall-chewing if ignored.
Cost
- purchase price$1,500 to $3,000 USD
- monthly cost$100 to $200 USD
- initial setupBudget approximately $1,000 to $1,500 for high-quality crates, secure harnesses, training classes, and critical initial veterinary care, including DNA testing for MPS IIIB if not provided by the breeder.
-
Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dog Food, SalmonA complete, balanced diet matched to your dog’s size and age is the foundation of a healthy coat, gut and energy level
-
BFPETHOME Orthopedic Washable Large Dog BedSupportive foam cushions hips and joints, ideal for large, senior or dysplasia-prone dogs
-
PetNC Natural Care Hip & Joint Soft ChewsGlucosamine and chondroitin chews support cartilage and mobility, especially in large, senior and dysplasia-prone dogs
Similar Breeds
Related Dog Guides
Schipperke FAQs
Why are Schipperkes sometimes born without tails?
Historically, Schipperkes were docked, but many are naturally born bobtailed or with tailless genes. In countries where tail docking is banned, they are shown with full, curled tails.
Are Schipperkes prone to separation anxiety?
Yes, they form very tight bonds with their families and can develop severe separation anxiety, resulting in howling and destructive chewing, if left alone for long periods without mental stimulation.
Can Schipperkes live in an apartment?
Yes, provided they receive intense daily exercise and their barking is managed. However, their sharp alert bark can easily disturb close neighbors if not trained from puppyhood.
Do Schipperkes like water?
Yes, historically they were bred as canal boat dogs in Belgium to catch rats. Many retain a natural affinity for water and enjoy swimming or splashing in shallow water.
At what age do Schipperkes calm down?
They are notoriously high-energy well into their senior years. You can expect a slight settling of hyperactive behavior around 5 to 7 years of age, but they remain highly active and curious for life.
Are Schipperkes aggressive?
They are not naturally aggressive, but they are highly suspicious of strangers. Without intensive early socialization, this suspicion can escalate into defensive snapping or extreme reactivity.
How do I stop my Schipperke from barking?
Never yell back at them, as they view this as you ‘barking’ along. Instead, acknowledge the alert with a quiet cue, ask for a sit, and reward them immediately when they cease barking. Ensuring they are physically tired is also key.
Why is the MPS IIIB test so important?
MPS IIIB is a fatal, inherited neurological disease with no cure. DNA testing parent dogs is the only way to ensure puppies will not develop this tragic, heartbreaking condition.
Do Schipperkes dig?
Yes, they have a strong hunting instinct for burrowing rodents. If they smell a mole or a gopher in your yard, they will excavate a massive hole in minutes if left unsupervised.
Is a male or female Schipperke better?
Males tend to be slightly more affectionate and eager to please, whereas females are often more independent, bossy, and prone to taking charge of the household.
Can Schipperkes tolerate cold weather?
Thanks to their dense, insulating double coat, they tolerate cold weather exceptionally well. However, they are indoor companion dogs and should never be left outside to live in cold elements.
How often should I trim my Schipperke’s nails?
They should be trimmed every 3 to 4 weeks. If you can hear their nails clicking on hard floors, they are too long and can cause orthopedic strain.
Do Schipperkes have high grooming costs?
No, they are quite low-maintenance compared to breeds that require professional haircuts. A weekly home brushing session with the correct tools is usually all that is needed to keep them healthy.
What is the ‘Schipperke stance’?
It refers to their unique, sloping silhouette—having a thick ruff around the neck, higher shoulders, and a sloping topline that gives them a powerful, cobby, and alert appearance.
Are Schipperkes escape artists?
Absolutely. They are incredibly agile, clever, and quick. They can slip through tiny fence gaps, dig under gates, or jump surprisingly high, so secure yard fencing is essential.
Sources & Further Reading
- American Kennel Club (AKC)
- American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
- Merck Veterinary Manual
- PetMD