The Little Black Devil (LBD)
That’s what they call the Schipperke Dog Breed. This little guy from Belgium gets a bad rep because he is so clever and independent minded.
Or to put…
It another way, this little guy is not an easy dog to control, especially if you are a new dog owner. He is curious, obstinate and intelligent, and that really is the reason why he can get into so much trouble.
But…
Those who have trained Schipperke Puppies will tell you these dogs respond to kindness and respect. This is a completely fearless dog, not afraid of anyone or anything – a human or a much bigger dog such as the Bernese Mountain Dog, the Japanese Akita or German Shepherd.
Because…
At his core, he is devoted to his human family and will fight for you if needed. And yes, the Little Black Devil is quite a fighter. You should see him fight an intruder or anyone who threatens you in anyway. Once this little guy goes after someone, he doesn’t let go. He is relentless as hell and simply undefeatable.
Actually…
This dog is not all that different from Pomeranian Puppies. He has the same temperament and personality and similar appearance and physical characteristics.
And…
Surely you don’t find anything scary about Pomeranian Puppies, do you? There’s nothing scary about the Schipperke either.
It’s just a matter of…
Understanding this dog. Schipperkes are reserved and suspicious of strangers. But they are great with their family and are very loyal. They were bred to be watchdogs, so you can understand why they are so suspicious and alert all the time.
Now…
What to do if your Schipperke puppies are hyper, barking or biting all the time, and act aggressive around other people?
Well, don’t worry about it – with proper training, early socialization and obedience classes you can surely keep the little guy under control. There is actually nice dog – a really nice dog – hiding underneath the black coat and the foxy smile.
But remember…
Make a list of the most experienced Schipperke Dog Breeders in your area. Only trust reputable breeders who run an ethical breeding program. Never get your Schipperke puppies from dog breeders who run one of those puppy mills. This is very important.
Read the rest of this article to find out more about this interesting breed of dog.
Schipperke Fast Facts
Country of Origin: Belgium
Original Purpose: Barge dogs, ratters and general watchdog
Height: 10 to 13 inches
Weight: 10 to 16 pounds
Dog Breed Classification: Non-sporting group
Life Span: 13 to 15 years
Origin of the Schipperke Dog Breed
The Schipperke is a toy dog belonging to the Spitz breed. He is a much smaller version of the Leauvenaar, a popular sheepdog in Belgium.
He is also…
Closely related to the Pomeranian in a lot of ways, and descends from a common ancestor – perhaps the black colored Belgian Sheepdog, also called as Groenendael.
The Schipperke was…
Developed by Flemish fishermen as a watchdog on their canal barges or earthen vessels. Schipperke means “The Skipper” in the Flemish language. It was also his job to get rid of rats on the boat. He was adopted by shoemakers and other artisans as well.
The Schipperke was first brought to America in 1888. He was recognized by the American Kennel Club shortly after, in 1904. A Schipperke Club of America was formed in 1929, which exists even today.
Physical Characteristics of the Schipperke Dog Breed
Here’s a question…
“Why is he called the Little Black Devil?”
It probably has to do with the way the Schipperke looks. He is a strange looking little dog. He has a jet black coat, almost like a little lion with a black coat, and a fox like face. The Schipperke breed standard is barely 10 to 13 inches in height.
He has a…
Wedge-shaped head and peculiar prick ears. He has a mischievous look on his face and looks at you with his small oval dark-brown eyes almost in a mocking manner.
The LBD…
Also has a pointed nose and extremely sharp teeth which can cut through anything. What’s more, he always has a smile on his face. So, let’s be frank here – a lot of people don’t like this dog. They think he has to do with some cult or something!
Thankfully…
As said earlier, he is a hardy little dog and does not require much grooming. Just use a firm bristle brush to keep his coat clean and tidy two or three times every week. That will take care of the shedding. Give him a bath in warm water once or twice a month.
Personality and Temperament
The Schipperke is a highly energetic breed, blessed with rugged good health, which can tolerate any weather. There is something hardy or rugged about them.
They are not as sensitive as some of the other small-sized dogs belong to the Non-Sporting Group. He is basically a big dog trapped in a little dog’s body.
He is…
A sort of a dog that takes charge of the situation. He is somewhat mischievous and unless he respects you, he will not really care about your commands. You should be firm with him all the time, and yet be gentle and kind. It’s like being a parent of an errant child.
Early socialization is important.
This means exposing the Schipperke puppy to different people, other dogs, sights and sounds, so that he grows up to be a calm and composed dog.
Just one thing
Schipperke puppies have a tendency to snap at people who disrespect them. So they are not suitable for a house with small children. Bring them home when your kids are old enough to know how to treat dogs.
Health Problems of the Schipperke Dog Breed
Schipperkes are a very healthy breed of dog with a high life expectancy of 13 to 15 years. They may be small, but are strong and rugged. However, even these dogs are known to suffer from certain health issues such as…
- Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease,
- Autoimmune Thyroiditis,
- Epilepsy,
- Patellar Luxation,
- Mucopolysaccharidosis Type IIIB.
And while…
Many of these conditions may not be life threatening, they can certainly become quite expensive to deal with particularly if they become recurring issues.
This is why…
We here at IndulgeYourPet also recommend that any new pet owner take a moment and see what it might cost for you to purchase a pet insurance policy for your new animal.
Now will a pet insurance policy be right for everyone?
No, probably not. But until you fully understand what these policies “will” and “won’t” cover and how much these pet insurance policies cost, how will you know if one might be right for you?
For more information on who we feel currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies out there, we would encourage you to check out our Best Pet Insurance Policies article.
