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AKC: Schipperke breed overview

Non-sporting group · Belgium

Schipperke

Also called Schip, Little Black Devil

A small black Belgian watchdog with a fox face, a lion's ruff and the curiosity of a dog three times its size.

Schipperkes were the working tradesman's dog of old Belgium, kept to catch rats and raise the alarm. They remain alert, busy and fiercely loyal little dogs that notice everything and comment on most of it. They suit owners who enjoy a characterful, independent companion and can live with some barking.

Original AI-generated breed illustration

Weight

4 to 8 kg

9 to 18 lb

Height

25 to 33 cm

at the shoulder

Life expectancy

13 to 15 yrs

Activity estimate

90 to 120 min

editorial daily planning range

Adult-size estimate

12 months

approximate model input

Life with a Schipperke

Picture a 17th-century workshop in Brussels: leather, wood shavings and rats. The small black dog curled by the shoemaker's bench was there to deal with the rats and to announce every stranger who came through the door. Tradition holds that the city's shoemakers were proud enough of their dogs to hold competitions for them in the 1690s, which would make the Schipperke one of the earliest breeds with an organized following.

The name is often linked to Flemish canal barges, where Schipperkes supposedly kept boats free of vermin ('schipper' means boatman). Many historians think it more likely comes from a word for little shepherd, since the breed shares ancestry with a vanished black sheepdog that also contributed to the Belgian Shepherd. Either way, the tradesman's dog became fashionable when Queen Marie Henriette acquired one in the 1880s.

Living with a Schipperke is lively. It patrols the house, inspects every shopping bag and barks at unfamiliar sounds with total conviction. Schipperkes are devoted to their own people, often attaching most strongly to one person, and reserved with visitors until they have made up their minds.

They are also skilled escape artists. A Schipperke will find the gap in the fence, slip through a half-closed gate and follow a scent with complete focus. Owners often describe them as a big dog in a small body, and they mean the attitude more than anything else.

What stands out

Training

Schipperkes are clever and learn fast, but they are independent and want to know what is in it for them. Food rewards and games work well; long drills do not. Keep sessions to 5 to 10 minutes, change tasks often and finish on a success.

Read the full training guide

Easy to train

Open with strangers

Good with other dogs

A great match for

owners who want a small dog with a big personality
flats and small homes, if barking is managed
active singles and couples
people who enjoy trick training and dog sports

Think twice if

alert barking at every noise
escape artist with a strong urge to explore
sheds heavily once or twice a year
independent streak that tests boundaries

Personality and needs at a glance

Living together

Good with children

Good with other dogs

Open with strangers

Apartment friendly

Copes with alone time

Energy and character

Energy level

Playfulness

Easy to train

Barking

5 means very vocal

Care and climate

Grooming needs

Shedding

Drooling

Handles cold

Handles heat

How much a Schipperke eats

Illustrative calculations for neutered adults at midpoint breed weights, with food at 370 kcal per 100 g and 100 g per cup. These are not measured breed requirements. Use actual weight, the food label and veterinary body-condition advice.

Dog	Weight	Calories	Dry food
Female, relaxed lifestyle	6 kg	350 kcal	95 g (1 cups)
Female, typical pet	6 kg	400 kcal	110 g (1 cups)
Male, typical pet	7 kg	460 kcal	125 g (1.3 cups)
Male, very active	7 kg	570 kcal	155 g (1.5 cups)

Full Schipperke feeding guide Calculate for my dog

Care guides for the Schipperke

FeedingA 6 kg (13 lb) Schipperke typically eats about 80 to 110 g of a typical dry food a day, roughly 3/4 to 1 cup, split into two meals. They are food-motivated and very good at persuading you they have not been fed, so measure portions and count training treats as part of the daily allowance.Read more Puppy growthSchipperke puppies grow quickly and reach close to adult size by 9 to 12 months, with many weighing 3 to 4 kg at 4 months. The adult coat, with its full ruff and culottes, can take up to 2 years to come in completely, so a young dog may look fluffier or plainer than its parents for a while.Read more ExerciseSchipperkes need about 45 to 60 minutes of activity a day, split into walks and play. Variety matters more than distance: nose games, trick sessions, short agility courses and exploring new routes on a lead all suit them.Read more GroomingThe coat looks low maintenance and mostly is, until shedding season. Brush once or twice a week with a slicker and a pin brush, paying attention to the ruff and culottes.Read more HealthSchipperkes are generally long-lived, but the breed is predisposed to MPS IIIB (an inherited metabolic disease with a DNA test), Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, patellar luxation, hypothyroidism and epilepsy. Responsible breeders DNA test for MPS IIIB, have knees and hips checked, and ask about thyroid and seizure history in their lines.Read more

Things owners are often surprised by

1The name is usually translated from Flemish as 'little captain', though some historians prefer 'little shepherd'.
2Tradition says Brussels shoemakers held competitions for their Schipperkes in the 1690s.
3Queen Marie Henriette of Belgium owned one in the 1880s, which made the breed fashionable.
4Only solid black is accepted under the FCI and AKC standards.
5A DNA test is available for MPS IIIB, an inherited storage disease found in the breed.

Schipperke questions

Why are Schipperkes called little black devils?

The nickname reflects the breed's mischievous, fearless personality and solid black coat. Schipperkes are quick, curious and quite capable of getting into trouble, from raiding bags to escaping gardens. Some say the name goes back to their time as ratters, when they were known for dispatching vermin with speed. Owners use it affectionately; well-raised Schipperkes are loyal and loving at home.

Do Schipperkes bark a lot?

Yes, compared with many breeds. They were bred as watchdogs, and most will announce visitors, delivery drivers and unfamiliar noises. You can shape the habit with a quiet cue, by rewarding calm after one or two barks, and by blocking views of busy streets. Enough exercise and mental work also reduces boredom barking. Expect a vocal dog rather than a silent one.

Are Schipperkes good apartment dogs?

Their size makes them easy to house, and they adapt well to flats if their exercise and mental needs are met. The challenge is noise: an alert Schipperke may bark at footsteps in the corridor. Start teaching calm responses to building sounds early, and consider a white-noise machine in the room where your dog rests. Regular walks and puzzle feeders help a lot.

Do Schipperkes have tails?

Yes, most do. Some are born with a natural bobtail or short tail, and in countries where docking is still allowed, many were traditionally docked. Across most of Europe docking is banned, so Schipperkes there usually carry a full tail, often curled over the back. Tail length does not affect the dog's temperament or health.

Are Schipperkes good with cats?

Many live well with a cat they are raised with, but their ratting background gives them a strong urge to chase small, fast animals. Pet rodents and birds should be kept well out of reach. With a family cat, supervised introductions and rewarding calm behavior usually work, while outdoor cats in the neighborhood may always be fair game in your dog's eyes.

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