Schipperke

The Schipperke is rather small dog that was first seen in Belgium. These dogs have been around since the 16th century. His breed is part of the Spitz family. There has however been a great debate about weather these dogs have their roots in the Spitz family of the sheepdogs. These dogs have a very shiny and fluffy coat. Their coats have alot of feathering. These dogs are quite proportionate in size. These dogs make excellent boat dogs. They have an exceptional centre of gravity giving them very good balance. These dogs were used as messengers in World War 2. This breed is very courageous and loves adventure. These dogs are very lovable and make good companions. Their small size makes people oblivious to their hidden strength. These dogs are essentially work dogs. They can hunt out vermin, be watch dogs and even make fair herding dogs.

The Schipperke has a very small face with erect ears that are set quite high on the head. Their ears are small and triangular. The appearance of this dog is described as fox like. These dogs have a square like body. The body is quite muscular and very agile. These dogs have a rounded skull with a narrowing muzzle. The muzzle is shorter than the skull. These dogs have a very small nose that is always seen in a solid black color. These dogs have a surprisingly wide chest that reaches all the way down to the elbows. These dogs do not have very long limbs. Their limbs are however very powerful and built for speed. These dogs can chase after small animals and even kill them when the need arises. These dogs are very protective of their territory and their family. They will bark whenever they sense a threat or they see someone strange approaching. This characteristic makes them good guard dogs.

The Schipperke is a small little dog that is full of energy and life. These dogs are very playful and energetic. They are usually seen in a solid black color. Other colors of the coat are however acceptable in the show rings. These dogs are very confident of themselves. They are very alert and vigilant. They will give warning if anyone is approaching their territory. These dogs are always in high spirits. They are very loyal and love attention. They remain very devoted to their family especially children.

These dogs form a great bond with their masters. They are very smart and to a certain extent even naughty dogs. These dogs are very curious and will keep exploring their surroundings. They are good with cats but will not do well with other small non canine pets. These dogs stand at 22-33 cms tall and weigh in at about 5-8 kgs. These dogs may have trouble being house broken. They are obedient once trained. These dogs should not be left alone for long hours as this can make them temperamental. These dogs have a life expectancy of about 15 years.