Standart Schipperke

FCI Standard No. 83 – SCHIPPERKE
Origin: Belgium
Date of publication of the official valid standard: 28.07.2009
Utilization: Small guardian and companion dog
FCI Classification: Group 1 – Sheep and cattle dogs (except Swiss cattle dogs), Section 1 – Sheepdogs, without working trial.

Brief Historical Summary
In the Flemish dialect, “Schipperke” means “little shepherd.” The common ancestor of the Belgian Shepherds and the Schipperke was probably a sheepdog called Leuvenaar, an early breed, usually small and black. The Schipperke’s origins go back to the 17th century. Around 1690, it became the favorite dog of working people and cobblers from the St. Gery quarter of Brussels, who organized competitions to display the brass collars they made for their dogs. Its tail was completely docked—a fashion existing since the 15th century. Renowned as a catcher of mice, rats, moles, and other vermin, the Schipperke was first shown in 1882 in Spa. It became fashionable thanks to Queen Marie-Henriette of Belgium and was introduced into Great Britain and the U.S.A. in 1887. The first standard was drawn up in 1888 by the breed club founded that year—the oldest breed club in Belgium. Over the years, great efforts were made to unify the type, as varieties from Antwerp, Louvain, and Brussels once differed.

General Appearance
Lupoid in type. The Schipperke is a small but solidly built sheepdog. Its head is wedge-shaped, with a well-developed skull and a relatively short muzzle. The body is short, broad, and stocky, with fine-boned limbs. The coat is straight and dense, forming a ruff, mane, frill, and culottes that create its unique outline. There is clear sexual dimorphism.

Important Proportions
– Height at withers equals body length – a squarely built dog.
– Chest reaches level with elbows.
– Muzzle shorter than half the head length.

Behaviour and Temperament
An excellent small guard dog and exceptional alarm dog, full of vitality and aloof with strangers. Active, busy, agile, tireless, and curious about everything around it. Gentle with children, but inclined to snap if someone touches objects it guards. Hunts small vermin and expresses alertness with a high-pitched bark and raised hackles.

Head
Lupoid, wedge-shaped, not too long, proportionate to the body. Moderate brows and cheekbones; stop pronounced but not exaggerated.

Cranial Region: Broad forehead narrowing toward the eyes, slightly rounded in profile; skull and muzzle toplines parallel.
Facial Region: Nose small and black. Muzzle well-chiseled, tapering, about 40% of head length. Lips black and tight. Scissor bite preferred; pincer bite tolerated. Full dentition desirable.
Eyes: Dark brown, small, almond-shaped, lively, black-rimmed.
Ears: Erect, very small, triangular, set high and firm, extremely mobile.

Neck
Strong, well-muscled, medium length, well set into shoulders, appearing voluminous due to the ruff.

Body
Compact and square. Topline straight and firm, slightly rising toward the withers. Withers pronounced. Back short and strong; loins short and broad. Croup short, broad, horizontal, slightly rounded (“Guinea pig rump”). Chest broad and deep to elbows, ribs well sprung, forechest prominent. Belly moderately tucked up.

Tail
Set high. Some dogs are naturally tailless or have short tails—this is not penalized. A natural tail (at least reaching the hock) is preferably carried down at rest, raised when moving, but not curled tightly over the back.

Limbs
Fine-boned, well set under the body.

Forequarters: Straight, parallel, with good angulation. Shoulders long and sloping; elbows firm; forearms straight; pasterns short and slightly sloping. Feet small, round, tight, cat-like, nails always black.
Hindquarters: Well-muscled, parallel. Thighs long and broad; stifles and hocks moderately angulated. Rear pasterns short; dewclaws undesirable.

Gait/Movement
Supple and firm at the trot, with good reach and drive, topline remaining level. Limbs move parallel; at higher speed, legs converge slightly.

Skin
Tight-fitting over the whole body.

Coat
Topcoat abundant, straight, harsh, and dry to the touch with a dense undercoat. Short on head, ears, and lower limbs; longer on neck forming ruff, mane, and frill; and on thighs forming culottes. Tail hair same length as body coat.
Colour: Entirely black. Undercoat may be dark grey but must be hidden by topcoat. Slight greying on muzzle with age tolerated.

Size and Weight
Weight between 3 and 9 kg, with 4–7 kg preferred.

Faults
Any deviation from the above points is a fault and should be penalized according to its severity and effect on health or function. Examples: too long or too short body, incorrect head proportions, poor movement, soft or wavy coat, non-black color tones, timid temperament, etc.

Severe Faults
Missing one incisor, three first premolars, or two second premolars.

Disqualifying Faults
Aggression or extreme shyness; lack of type; major dental faults; lack of pigmentation on nose, lips, or eyelids; non-erect ears; long or silky coat; any color other than black; weight outside limits.

Notes
– Males must have two normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
– Only healthy, typical dogs should be used for breeding.