About Schipperkes For
centuries, Schipperkes have been bred
and loved in the Flanders region of
Belgium. These relatives of the Spitz
family have been kept as "barge dogs" on
the canals and rivers of Europe.
They have also earned their keep as
carriage dogs and even as "ratters"
thanks to their quickness, compact size
and razor sharp senses. The name
"Schipperke" actually means "little
boatman" in the Flemish language.
Schipperkes love to be
involved in the family and doing
something fun or useful. They are
very loyal, trainable dogs who love
children and can be quite playful -
though they aren't always as accepting
of other dogs.
The Schipperke's
fox-like features, shrill bark and
muscular build are enough to make even
larger dogs or human trespassers think
twice about facing a Schipperke on guard
duty, making them good watch dogs. They
stand only about 9 to 15 inches tall,
weigh about 12 to 17 lbs, and are almost
always black in color - at least in
North America - though sometimes they
are found in cream or fawn-golden
shades.
Exercise and grooming
needs are minimal, making the Schipperke
a good choice for elderly or disabled
dog lovers. They are well suited to
apartments - or large country homes. | 
