Schipperke
Adult Size: Females and Males 10-13 inches and 12-18 pounds.
Breed: Schipperke
Breed Group: Non-Sporting

The Schipperke is a small, thickset, tailless dog with a thick double coat, a ruff around his neck and a fox-like face. They’re also some of the best ratter dogs in the world.

The Schipperke is descended from a similar herding stock that was bred smaller and smaller and eventually became a different breed entirely. It became a favorite choice to guard canal barges in Belgium. In Flemish, Schipperke means "Little Skipper", or "Little Captain". When stationed on a ship, the dogs were the "ratters", a very important function on a canal barge and also usually kept as the captain's dog. Ideally, a Schipperke is fierce enough to take on a rat, small enough to run up a ship’s rope, strong enough to swim and regal enough to stand at the head of a ship with her captain.

The Schipperke is a big dog in a little dog's body. Hot-tempered, high-spirited, self-confident and protective, the Schipperke embodies the spirit of a dog much bigger than its tiny stature would suggest. They are wary of strangers and may seem somewhat aloof, but are actually very devoted and loyal, especially with children.

Among the Schipperke's best qualities is the ability to defend its home against intruders, never backing down and being a wonderful protector, despite its size.

The Schipperke is very clean and pretty much takes care of its own grooming, but combing and brushing regularly with a firm bristle brush keeps the medium-length double coat in top condition. They shed very little until the coat "blows" which can be as often as 3 times a year.

The health issues to watch for include hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia and epilepsy.

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Schipperke - Dogs for Sale