The Schipperke is an active, curious dog breed that makes a great companion. They are small and affectionate little black dogs with a long history in their country of origin: Belgium. This unique breed has captured the hearts of people for centuries.
Read on to check out six facts about the Schipperke dog breed.
1. Schipperke is an Old Breed
Schipperkes have been around for hundreds of years. The first mention of the Schipperke was in the 1400s by a monk named Wenceslas. In his writings, he described the dog as the impersonation of the Devil. At this time, the dog was described as a black dog, small, and tailless.
Then, in 1690, shoemakers organized a group in St. Gery to competitively exhibit Schipperkes. They would conduct these competitions on designated Sundays in the Grand-Place in Brussels. These were called “Sunday beauty contests,” and the dogs would wear brass collars, which were elaborately hand fashioned. These were very similar to the modern dog show judgings we see today!
2. Barge Captains Gave This Breed Their Name
The Schipperke is a breed of rat dog originating from Flanders, Belgium. It descends from the sheepdog Leauvenaar, a now-extinct dog breed. The Leauvenaar was bred to be larger to create the Belgium Sheepdog and smaller to create the Schipperke.
Peasants were able to keep these smaller dogs on their farms or in their houses for rat control, and they did not take up much space. Later, these dogs ended up on barges, serving captains’ watchdogs. Schip, in Flemish, means boat. The word also means “little skipper,” earning the dog the nickname “little captain.”
Despite their small size, the Schipperke made excellent guard dogs, alerting captains of anything when they were anchored at night. Since they took up such little space, they made excellent lapdogs, as well.
3. Schipperkes Numbers Dwindled
It may seem counterintuitive that a popular dog breed’s number would decrease, but it happens. Schipperkes had been household dogs in Belgium for years, but by the 1870s, the breed was going extinct. In 1885, Queen Marie Henriette, the wife of Leopold the 2nd of Belgium, bought a Schipperke she named “Black.” She walked around with the dog, and it soon became fashionable. All of the wealthy people just had to have one.
Before long, the Schipperke was the most popular household dog in Belgium. Their popularity began to grow outside the Belgium borders, and Schipperkes began being exported to other countries, especially England. The first recorded appearance of a Schipperke in England was when J.M. Barrie, famed writer of “Peter Pan,” bought Flo in 1887.
Fanciers came together to create Schipperke clubs to replenish the breed, such as the Schipperke Club of England in 1890 and the Schipperke Club of America in 1929. Today, out of its 201 registered breeds, the AKC ranks the Schipperke 113th in popularity.
4. Schipperkes Were Called “Hellhounds”
Throughout Europe, legends of terrifying hellhounds are popular stories. These black dogs are ferocious with glowing eyes, teeth bared, ready to rampage around a village. These dogs are said to be connected with the Devil, viewed as harbingers of death. Tales of different black dogs that have terrorized locals persist throughout Belgium, England, France, and the rest of Europe.
Since Schipperkes are black and fierce, they acquired the nickname “the little black devil.” Their all-black appearance, loyalty, and guard-dog mentality likely made people think of these dogs as those mythical creatures.
However, this portrayal couldn’t be further from the truth! With proper socialization, Schipperke are feisty, affectionate family members who thrive when properly exercised and trainers.
5. Schipperkes Can Have Different Tail Shapes
One distinct characteristic of the Schipperke breed is its tailless silhouette. When early breeders wanted to breed Schipperke, they looked for tailless parents. A problem arose, though. Upon breeding Schipperke, some were born with short, stumpy tails, while others had no tail at all. There was too much variability in litters for the tail (or lack thereof) to be an official standard. Still, some Schipperke owners choose to dock their dogs’ tails to create the tailless silhouette.
Here’s a story to explain why Schipperke don’t have tails. According to legend, two cobblers got into a fight over their dogs. The fight ended with one of the cobblers cutting off a dog’s tail. The cobblers ended up liking the look of the docked tail, saying it made the dog look more fashionable.
Both the United Kennel Club and AKC have different standards for this breed. The AKC says that a Schipperke’s tail must be docked to conform to the breed standard. The United Kennel Club allows for a longer tail but has certain specifications regarding a tail’s shape.
6. Schipperkes Have Strong Prey Drives
Like many terrier breeds (although the Schipperke is in the non-sporting group), this breed was created to control rats. So, it makes sense that they have a high prey drive. Schipperkes have a strong desire to chase after and kill rodents, birds, and reptiles. As such, it is not a good idea to keep this dog breed around these small pets.
These dogs have powerful jaws, necks, and forequarters. They hunt stealthily, using their black coats and small size to pounce on small animals, much like cats.
Schipperkes need lots of time with humans and can sometimes be wary of other dogs. They thrive with owners who are committed to socializing these dogs from a young age.
Conclusion: Schipperkes Make Great Pets
Schipperkes are a small, black dog breed. They are usually tailless with foxlike faces, lots of energy, and plenty of spunk. These alert and keen dogs make great watchdogs. Their small size makes them perfect pets for small apartments and city living. They are intelligent and stubborn dogs who need plenty of exercise and training to thrive. With plenty of stimulation, training, and love, Belgium’s Little Captains make great companions.
