Schipperke grooming: brushing, bathing and shedding
A practical grooming routine for the Schipperke: coat care, baths, nails and ears.
The 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. Once or twice a year the undercoat blows, and hair comes out in clumps for 2 to 4 weeks; daily brushing and a warm bath speed things up.
Never shave a Schipperke. The double coat insulates against both heat and cold and may grow back patchy. Trim nails every 3 to 4 weeks, check the small upright ears weekly, and brush teeth several times a week, since small breeds build tartar quickly.
Schipperke grooming in numbers
This is an illustrative schedule based on our editorial grooming score, not a breed-specific care protocol. Coat condition, skin problems and professional advice may call for a different routine.
| Task | Planning example |
|---|---|
| Brushing | Once a week |
| Bathing | Every 2 to 3 months, or when dirty |
| Shedding | Heavy, with seasonal blowouts |
| Nail trim | Every 3 to 4 weeks |
| Ear check | Weekly |
| Teeth | Daily brushing; introduce gently and ask your vet if the mouth seems painful |
Coat
Harsh, straight double coat that stands off the body, forming a thick ruff, a cape over the shoulders and longer culottes on the back of the thighs.
Grooming needs
Shedding
Drooling