Dog Breed
Schipperke
- Full Name
- Schipperke
- Your PupScore
- Take the best dog breed quiz to get your Pup Scores!
- Life Span
- 13 - 15 years
- Weight
- 10 - 16 pounds
- Description
Fearless, Agile, Curious, Independent, Confident, Faithful
- Origin
- Belgium
- Bred For
- Barge watchdog
- Family Considerations
- Overall Ease of Breed
- Personality
- Home and Environment Considerations
- Physical Characteristics
Child Friendly
4/5
Is the Schipperke good with children?
Yes, the Schipperke is very friendly with children. We still recommend introductions to children while they are young so they get used to them, but the Schipperke naturally loves children.
Stranger Friendly
4/5
Is the Schipperke friendly with strangers?
Yes, the Schipperke is very friendly with strangers. We still recommend early socialization while the Schipperke is a puppy to introduce them to various new people, but in general they are friendly with everyone.
Dog Friendly
4/5
Is the Schipperke friendly with other dogs?
Yes, the Schipperke is very friendly with other dogs. We still recommend early socialization while the Schipperke is a puppy to introduce them to various new dogs, but in general they are friendly with dogs as soon as they meet them.
Likes to Cuddle
5/5
Does the Schipperke like to cuddle?
The Schipperke loves physical affection and cuddles. If you're looking for a cuddle partner you may have found the one!
Playfulness
5/5
Does the Schipperke like to play?
The Schipperke is always ready for play! It's important to keep in mind, as they need to be stimulated with games and affection throughout the day.
Service Dog Ability
1/5
Does the Schipperke make a good service dog?
Historically, the Schipperke has never been used as a service dog and really would not be a good fit.
Ease for Novice
5/5
Is the Schipperke good for first-time owners?
The Schipperke is an excellent breed for first-time owners. They love pleasing their owner, and rarely are aggressive or over-dominant.
Training Potential
3/5
How well can the Schipperke be trained?
The Schipperke is about average when it comes to training potential. The Schipperke can be seen in competitions and can have advanced training, but it would require much dedication and oftentimes professional training.
Amount of Shedding
3/5
Does the Schipperke shed a lot?
The Schipperke is an average shedder. Schipperke owners will probably still tell you it's a lot of shedding, but certain breeds shed even more.
Ease of Grooming
3/5
Is the Schipperke easy to groom?
The Schipperke requires an average amount of grooming. Taking your Schipperke to the pet salon will make your life easier, but its possible to groom a Schipperke on your own as well.
Exercise Need
2/5
Does the Schipperke need a lot of exercise?
The Schipperke requires some daily exercise, but daily walks should be enough. The Schipperke appreciates going outside and on daily walks, but they will be ok without anything overly athletic.
Intelligence
2/5
How smart is the Schipperke?
The Schipperke is a bit goofy and may not be as intelligent as some other breeds, but that is what people oftentimes love about the Schipperke!
Amount of Barking
3/5
How much does the Schipperke bark? Does the Schipperke bark too much?
The Schipperke barks an average amount. It can vary widely between Schipperkes - some may be much more expressive than others.
Guard Dog Ability
2/5
Is the Schipperke a good guard dog?
The Schipperke would not make a good guard dog. They can be alert, but typically do not have the desire or instinct to take on "guarding" as their job.
Tolerates Being Alone
3/5
Is the Schipperke good at staying alone? Is the Schipperke independent?
The Schipperke does not enjoy being left alone for extended periods. They can do well for a couple of hours alone, but may have anxiety for time beyond that.
Good for Apartment Living
4/5
Is the Schipperke a good apartment dog?
The Schipperke can be a good dog for apartment living. Daily exercise is still important, but the Schipperke is a better fit for apartment living than most breeds.
Size
5/5
How big is the Schipperke?
The Schipperke is one of the biggest dog breeds in the world. In the "giant" category!
Tolerates Heat
2/5
How much does the Schipperke tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a Schipperke?
The Schipperke does not tolerate hot weather very well, and we would not recommend having a Schipperke if you live in a very hot weather climate. At the minimum, they would need a home with air conditioning.
Tolerates Cold
2/5
How much does the Schipperke tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a Schipperke?
The Schipperke does not tolerate cold weather very well, and we would not recommend having a Schipperke if you live in a very cold weather climate. Even if your home is warm, it can be inconvenient to go on walks, and you may need to have a sweater for your Schipperke.
Potential to Run Away
2/5
Does the Schipperke try to run away?
The Schipperke does not have a large drive to run away. They can still be distracted and run, so precautions should be taken, but overall they have a less than average urge to run away.
General Health
2/5
Is the Schipperke a healthy dog? The health of a Schipperke should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.
The Schipperke has many health problems that should be considered. The Schipperke can still live a perfectly healthy life, but it's important to consider all of these health risks ahead of time.
Energy Level
2/5
How energetic is the Schipperke?
The Schipperke has some energy and requires daily walks, but overall the Schipperke has less energy than average.
Amount of Drooling
2/5
How much does the Schipperke drool?
The Schipperke drools very little, typically to where it's never a concern.
Prey Drive
2/5
Does the Schipperke have a large prey drive? Does the Schipperke like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?
The Schipperke has some prey drive, so should not be left alone with very small animals such as birds, mice, or gerbils, but with some gradual introduction should be fine living with a cat in the same home.
Athleticism
2/5
Is the Schipperke atheltic?
The Schipperke can have athletic moments, and bursts of speed, but does not have the endurance as other highly athletic dog breeds. They would do great for occasional jogs, but probably not the best for long-distance runs or anything more athletic than that.
- Dog
- Non-Sporting
- Schipperke
The Schipperke is a purebred dog that falls within the larger Non-Sporting dog breed group.
Non-Sporting group: The Non-Sporting group of dogs is probably the most diverse in the sense that it has a variety of dogs, and they were not all bred for one specific purpose. Each breed in the non-sporting group is unique!
They have been primarily bred as house pets, and because of that make excellent additions to the family. Exercise is still important for them, but the typical non-sporting dog does not have the energy of of a sporting or working group dog.
Schipperkes for adoption
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