Schipperkes
by Shirley Quillen DVM

Schipperkes are very intelligent, very inquisitive and very easily bored dogs with an extremely high energy level. I do not consider them hyper dogs, just very active ones. They love to race, run, and play and of course want their owners to do these things with them. If left unattended, especially when young, they are very apt to get into trouble destroying anything they can reach. If left unattended and loose outside, they will invariably wander off to find something more interesting than their own backyard.

Schipperkes also will bark at anything, especially if it's moving. This must be controlled or the dog will be a very yappy, loudmouthed pet. On the other hand, Schipperkes are very loyal and versatile pets. They can be very protective of their property and family, yet most are very friendly. They usually are very good with children and often will try to protect them from harm. They can be trained in obedience, though their quick wit often presents a challenge even for the experienced trainer. Some have herding instinct and some are quite good at killing small vermin. Most are good around livestock especially horses if raised around them. Schipperkes do best when they have a fenced yard or at least a large run to play in. When given toys they will often make games for themselves, but do even better with a playmate, be it dog or person.

Toy fetch is a favorite game with our dogs and takes minimal exertion on our part. Ours also love to run and jump with us about the yard. When we leave the premises they are always on lead and walk on a loose lead or heel when asked. They would have a tendency to pull, but that is not allowed. At home our dogs are allowed to bark warnings, but must learn to be quiet when told. In crates at home, in the car, or at shows we insist they be quiet. At home we find they bark warnings, but when the object of their attention leaves, they stop. Generally they do not bark just for the joy of barking, but will bark when playing with each other.

Schipperkes are very hardy little dogs. Their dense undercoat and harsh guard hairs make them very weatherproof. Their black coat hair does help warm them in the winter sun and can also make them too hot in the summer sun. Their coat naturally sheds both water and dirt and can be maintained with very little care except during shedding. The dense undercoat makes them loose enormous amounts of hair when they do shed. If they get diarrhea, their culottes catch stool and have to be cleaned, otherwise they are very clean dogs. Some of ours groom like cats. The biggest congenital health problem that I know of in Schipperkes is epilepsy. It will crop up now and then in most lines (though many will not admit it) usually at about age 2 years. Most often these dogs can be successfully kept seizure free with medication and still make good pets. Luxating patella occurs frequently, and Legg-Perthes disease, which is often confused with hip displasia, also occurs occasionally. Allergies, cataracts, metabolic diseases, auto immune diseases, and the other problems that plague all dogs occur, but infrequently, in schipperkes.