Schipperke
About the Schipperke
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Small (10-25 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 10-13" |
| Weight | 10-16 lbs |
| Coat Type | Double |
| Coat Length | Medium |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
Moderate (30-60 min/day)
45 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Moderate - Weekly
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Needs plenty of mental challenges
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $800-$1,500 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,100/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Schipperkes may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- Active Owners
- Guard Dog
May Not Be Ideal For
- Long Work Hours Away
- Sedentary Lifestyles
Guides for your Schipperke
The story behind the Schipperke
The Schipperke originated in Belgium, where small black dogs of this type served for centuries as ratters and watchdogs in workshops and on the canal barges of Brussels and Antwerp; the name is usually translated from Flemish as little captain or little shepherd, and its ancestry is generally linked to the same stock that produced Belgian sheepdogs. Tradesmen's guilds showed off their dogs with ornate brass collars, and an early dog show for the breed was reportedly held in Brussels in the seventeenth century, by some accounts. The breed became fashionable in the 1880s after Belgian royalty took an interest, was standardized soon after, and crossed to Britain and America by the 1890s.
Originally bred for: Barge watchdog, Vermin control, Companion. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Schipperke
Little, black and perpetually curious, the Schipperke needs less food than its energy level suggests and thickens quickly when snacks turn casual. Serve a measured small-breed ration, and let mental work rather than extra biscuits occupy the dog.
Watch for: No recognised breed allergy pattern. Owners mostly report opportunistic scavenging and the upsets that follow, since these dogs investigate everything. Should skin irritation or repeated stomach trouble appear, a veterinarian should assess before diets are rewritten.
Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for small breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Schipperke
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a comfortable no-pull harness.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.