Schipperke
The Schipperke is a small dog that has a thick coat and a lot of fur around its neck. The short body is compact and is square looking. It is black in colour and although the majority are black, some are tan or fawn. The head is wedge shaped and the muzzle is pointed. The ears stand upright and are small and triangular in shape. The eyes are dark brown. The tail is docked usually on the Schipperke.
Temperament : |
The Schipperke is energetic and very protective. They are cautious of unfamiliar people and defend their territory excessively. Curious and mischievous, they sit and watch before familiarising themselves with people they do not know. They tend to get o well with other pets and although they can be wilful, they are generally intelligent dogs with a good eagerness and keenness to learn. Obedience comes with firm handling and constant training. |
Health issues : |
Hip issues, hypothyroid and eye problems tend to blight these animals. Epilepsy can also pose problems and although they are small, they have a large appetite which means owners should be cautious of over feeding them. |
Exercise : |
Active is an understatement. These dogs need a lot of exercise. Although they will tend to run around the home or garden happily, Running through the ark or going for daily brisk walks is ideal and in general preferred. |
Life expectancy : |
They tend to live for a fairly long time. This means that, like many other small dogs, reaching fifteen years is quite likely. |
Grooming : |
Grooming this breed is a simple task indeed. Very clean and shedding very little fur on the whole, these dogs need only to be brushed and combed regularly to keep their coats in optimum condition. The coat ‘blows' which means literally that it sheds all of its undercoat fur over a two week period, or thereabouts. It then grows back. |
