The Belgian “shepherd” dog is a small companion that has proved its worth over time in military and civilian fields. Formerly referred to as Spitzke, the Schipperke exudes so much energy and as such, is known for its agility. Discover more about our Schipperke puppies for sale below!

Breed History

The Schipperke (originally pronounced “sheeperker” but commonly pronounced “skiperkee” in America) was probably used during hunts and fishing expeditions as most of the early information surrounding the breed were from articles on hunting and fishing. After years of its existence and being called different names, it was finally accepted as a breed in the early 1880s. It was not until 1889 that its defining characteristics were compiled and published.

Some articles relate the Schipperke to the Spitz but they are two different breeds. It is a descendant of the Leauvenaar which was also a shepherd dog exclusive to a province in Belgium.

Temperament

Although the Schipperke exhibits a high level of submission to its master, it is a difficult and mischievous dog, always seeking avenues to cause trouble. Little wonder it is also called “the little black devil”.

Nonetheless, their troublesome traits can be managed with consistent training and supervision after which they would become reliable but only to an extent because on some other days, they may reconsider their allegiance. Their ability to do this is also seen in the way they investigate whatever tickles their fancy. They would employ all their skills to satisfy their curiosity which is sometimes to their detriment.

When the Schipperkes are around other dogs, they lose all the training they ever had. Their small size doesn’t limit them from trying to intimidate other dogs by barking and making aggressive moves. For a dog lover planning to buy a Schipperke, it would be a bad idea to have other dogs around and unless one possesses some experience in dog training and grooming, buying a Schipperke could be a wrong move.

Environment

Due to their high energy levels, the Schipperkes are not to be caged. They need an environment with adequate space to allow them to run around and satisfy their hunger for trouble but this should also be properly fenced to prevent them from taking the trouble outside.

They can be kept as household pets as they do not pose to be as aggressive with humans as they are with other animals but this should not be done without training. If kept as household pets, they should be looked after closely and taken out of the yard once in a while.

Exercise.

With all the details provided already, it is apparent that the Schipperke loves to “work out” hence, their owners should be lovers of workouts too. The space in the yard should allow them to do some exercise but it is also essential that they are taken out at least once a week.

Activities that involve thinking and sourcing are also good ideas for exercise because of how independent and curious the Schipperkes are. If allowed to explore, they should be kept under close watch as they may wander far off just to get answers to the questions they may have.

Grooming.

For a furry dog, Schipperkes are relatively cheap to maintain. Their grooming process requires little to no specialty in dog grooming. The basics are a brush to keep the fur looking healthy and a nail clipper to trim the length of the thick nails on their paws.

The only major concern arises when they begin to shed their undercoat which only happens twice or thrice a year and maybe more in females. When this happens, warm baths should be taken to help remove the coat faster instead of letting it litter the whole yard. Regular brushing at this time would also help in getting out the blown coat.

Petland Tulsa
https://petlandoklahoma.com/
East Side Shoppes
10908 East 71st. St.
Tulsa, OK 74133

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