What is a Schipperke?

The Schipperke is a Belgian dog breed that originated in Flanders in the 1400s. They are nicknamed "Little Captain" in Flemish and were used as watchdogs on barges. Schipperkes are small dogs, standing 10–13 inches tall and weighing 10–16 pounds, with a life span of 12–16 years. Most Schipperkes are born with long, bushy tails that curl over their backs, but in North America, their tails are often docked extremely short. Schipperkes are lively, affectionate, curious, and independent. They make excellent companions and are a great match for older children and older adults. Schipperkes are agreeable toward strangers, other dogs, and pets, but training is necessary because they can be explorers, stubborn, and mischievous. The Schipperke's coat is easily maintained through brushing and combing.

Where did the Schipperke breed originate?

The Schipperke breed originated in Flanders, northern Belgium, as early as the 15th century. These dogs were initially bred to be watchdogs on barges navigating the canals and rivers of the Low Countries, which include Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. The name "Schipperke" may come from the Dutch word schipper , meaning "bargeman" or "boatman," but some claim the name comes from scheperke , meaning "shepherd". Schipperkes are descendants of the black shepherd dog, the Leauvenaar. The Flemish name translates to "Little Captain," and they were excellent ratters, a highly valued trait after the Black Death pandemic in Europe.

What does a Schipperke look like?

The Schipperke is a small, sturdy dog that originated in Belgium in the 1400s. Also known as "Little Captain" in Flemish, Schipperkes are short, thickset, and spitzlike with a dense black coat. They have foxlike heads, small oval eyes, and erect triangular ears. Most Schipperkes are born with long, bushy tails that curl over their backs like a spitz; however, the tails are often docked very short. Schipperkes generally stand 10–13 inches (25–33 cm) tall and weigh 10–16 pounds (4.5–7 kg). They are lively, affectionate, curious, and independent dogs.

What are the main personality traits of Schipperkes?

Schipperkes are known to be excellent companions because of their eagerness to please and amiable personalities. They are playful and can be content to relax inside, making them good partners for older adults. Though Schipperkes are agreeable toward strangers, other dogs, and pets, they are explorers that can be stubborn and mischievous, so training is necessary. They make excellent watchdogs, but without training, they can be yappy, barking excessively. Schipperkes are lively, affectionate, curious, and independent, as well as generally hardy and energetic.

What jobs or tasks were Schipperkes originally bred for?

The Schipperke, originating in Flanders, Belgium, around the 15th century, was bred to be a watchdog on barges navigating canals and rivers. The name Schipperke translates to "Little Captain" in Flemish. They are excellent ratters, a highly valued trait after the Black Death, which was spread by rodents. Though most Schipperkes in North America are tailless, they are not born this way; their tails are docked extremely short. The breed may be descended from the black shepherd dog, the Leauvenaar.

What special care or exercise do Schipperkes need as pets?

Schipperkes, also called "Little Captains," are active dogs that need about an hour of exercise daily, such as games in a yard or walks. They are playful but also happy to relax inside. Their coats are easy to care for, needing brushing and combing once or twice a week, with more during shedding seasons, and occasional baths. Their nails should be clipped, and teeth brushed regularly. Schipperkes need socialization and training because they can be stubborn and mischievous. Also, 15–20% of Schipperkes may carry mucopolysaccharidosis type III (MPS III), so DNA testing can be beneficial.

Schipperke

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Schipperke

breed of dog

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What is a Schipperke?
The Schipperke is a Belgian dog breed that originated in Flanders in the 1400s. They are nicknamed "Little Captain" in Flemish and were used as watchdogs on barges.

Schipperkes are small dogs, standing 10–13 inches tall and weighing 10–16 pounds, with a life span of 12–16 years. Most Schipperkes are born with long, bushy tails that curl over their backs, but in North America, their tails are often docked extremely short.

Schipperkes are lively, affectionate, curious, and independent. They make excellent companions and are a great match for older children and older adults. Schipperkes are agreeable toward strangers, other dogs, and pets, but training is necessary because they can be explorers, stubborn, and mischievous. The Schipperke's coat is easily maintained through brushing and combing.
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1. Schipperke
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Where did the Schipperke breed originate?
The Schipperke breed originated in Flanders, northern Belgium, as early as the 15th century. These dogs were initially bred to be watchdogs on barges navigating the canals and rivers of the Low Countries, which include Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.

The name "Schipperke" may come from the Dutch word schipper, meaning "bargeman" or "boatman," but some claim the name comes from scheperke, meaning "shepherd". Schipperkes are descendants of the black shepherd dog, the Leauvenaar. The Flemish name translates to "Little Captain," and they were excellent ratters, a highly valued trait after the Black Death pandemic in Europe.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Definition of schipperke
2. Schipperke
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What does a Schipperke look like?
The Schipperke is a small, sturdy dog that originated in Belgium in the 1400s. Also known as "Little Captain" in Flemish, Schipperkes are short, thickset, and spitzlike with a dense black coat. They have foxlike heads, small oval eyes, and erect triangular ears. Most Schipperkes are born with long, bushy tails that curl over their backs like a spitz; however, the tails are often docked very short. Schipperkes generally stand 10–13 inches (25–33 cm) tall and weigh 10–16 pounds (4.5–7 kg). They are lively, affectionate, curious, and independent dogs.
2 Britannica Sources
1. 17 Words for Dog Breeds | Schipperke
2. Schipperke
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What are the main personality traits of Schipperkes?
Schipperkes are known to be excellent companions because of their eagerness to please and amiable personalities. They are playful and can be content to relax inside, making them good partners for older adults.

Though Schipperkes are agreeable toward strangers, other dogs, and pets, they are explorers that can be stubborn and mischievous, so training is necessary. They make excellent watchdogs, but without training, they can be yappy, barking excessively. Schipperkes are lively, affectionate, curious, and independent, as well as generally hardy and energetic.
2 Britannica Sources
1. 17 Words for Dog Breeds | Schipperke
2. Schipperke: Temperament
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What jobs or tasks were Schipperkes originally bred for?
The Schipperke, originating in Flanders, Belgium, around the 15th century, was bred to be a watchdog on barges navigating canals and rivers. The name Schipperke translates to "Little Captain" in Flemish. They are excellent ratters, a highly valued trait after the Black Death, which was spread by rodents. Though most Schipperkes in North America are tailless, they are not born this way; their tails are docked extremely short. The breed may be descended from the black shepherd dog, the Leauvenaar.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Definition of schipperke
2. Schipperke
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What special care or exercise do Schipperkes need as pets?
Schipperkes, also called "Little Captains," are active dogs that need about an hour of exercise daily, such as games in a yard or walks. They are playful but also happy to relax inside.

Their coats are easy to care for, needing brushing and combing once or twice a week, with more during shedding seasons, and occasional baths. Their nails should be clipped, and teeth brushed regularly.

Schipperkes need socialization and training because they can be stubborn and mischievous. Also, 15–20% of Schipperkes may carry mucopolysaccharidosis type III (MPS III), so DNA testing can be beneficial.
1 Britannica Source
1. Schipperke: Temperament
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Schipperke, Belgian dog breed that originated in Flanders (northern Belgium) as early as the 15th century. It was used as a watchdog on barges navigating the canals and rivers of the Low Countries (the coastal region of northwestern Europe, consisting of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg).

Breed data

Other names: Schips, Little Captain
Area of origin: Belgium in the 1400s
Breed group: Nonsporting
Height at withers: 10–13 inches (25–33 cm)
Weight: 10–16 pounds (4.5–7 kg)
Lifespan: 12–16 years
Did you know? Although most Schipperkes in North America are tailless, they are not born this way; the tails are simply docked extremely short. Most Schipperkes are born with a long bushy tail that curls over the back like the tail of a spitz. According to legend, two neighboring shoemakers fought because one of their dogs kept going to the other’s shop and chewing on shoes. In a rage, the offended shoemaker whacked off the dog’s tail. The owner and others liked the look of the tailless dog, giving rise to this popular styling of the breed.

Descended from a black shepherd dog, the Leauvenaar, which also gave rise to the Belgian sheepdog, the Schipperke (“Little Captain” in Flemish) was an excellent ratter (a rat-catching animal)—a much-coveted trait in the decades after Europe’s devastating Black Death pandemic (between 1347 and 1351), spread by rodents. A short thickset spitzlike dog, it has a dense black coat and a foxlike head with erect triangular ears and small oval eyes. Lively and affectionate but curious and independent, it is a generally hardy and energetic breed.

Care and upkeep

The dog’s coat is easily maintained, requiring brushing and combing once or twice a week, more often during shedding periods once or twice a year; it is a moderate shedder. The undercoat is fairly thick but does not easily mat, and occasional bathing will keep the coat looking and feeling its best. No special care is needed. The nails should be kept clipped and the teeth regularly brushed.

Various retriever dog breeds sitting in a row. L-R: curly coated retriever, golden retriever, Labrador retriever, duck tolling retriever, flat coated retriever. hunting sporting dogs

Britannica Quiz

The Dog Breed Quiz

The Schipperke is a very active breed and needs socialization, but its exercise needs can be met with an hour or so of daily exercise. This can consist of games in a small yard or a brisk walk around the neighborhood.

The breed is also generally hardy, though some 15–20 percent of Schipperkes (a higher rate than in any other breed) may carry a heritable disorder known as mucopolysaccharidosis type III (MPS III), also known as Sanfilippo syndrome, which presents itself between ages two and four. Clinical signs include tremors, a lack of balance, and difficulty walking up stairs. A DNA test can determine if a dog has or carries the disease.

Temperament

Schipperkes make excellent companions. Their convenient size, amiable personalities, and eagerness to please make them a great match for older children. They may be too energetic for toddlers, whom they may nip and bite in response to sudden moves and rough play. They are playful but also content to relax inside the house, making them equally good partners for older adults. Schipperkes are agreeable toward strangers and other dogs and pets, but they are explorers and can be stubborn and mischievous, so training is necessary. Too small to be effective guard dogs, they make excellent watchdogs, but they can be yappy, barking excessively if not trained.

These are well established and widely accepted generalizations about the breed. Individual dogs may differ in behavior and temperament.

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