Live Life Team
There has been much debate over the breed type of the Schipperke dog, which originates from Belgium. Up until 1888, the breed was called a Spitzke, Spits or Spitske. This is because people believed that the dog was of the Spitz breed variety. Now, some breeders believe that the dog is actually a miniature version of a sheepdog, and not a Spitz at all. Because of this controversy, the breed is now strictly referred to as the Schipperke, rather than by a name that denotes breed type.
The Schipperke is a small dog breed. It averages a weight between three and nine kilograms. They have a long, straight coat covering their entire body, save for their face. Some Schipperke dogs have a double coat with a soft undercoat and a coarse outer coat. This isn’t always the case, though, and it is not uncommon to find Schipperke dogs that are missing their undercoat. Since their fur is so long, the Schipperke will keep warm while in colder weather. This also helps to keep their skin dry.
Schipperke dogs have a long life span. While most dogs will live only a dozen or so years, the average life span of a Schipperke is 17 to 18 years. To ensure a long life, Schipperke dogs should be exercised daily and fed the correct amount of food. Inactivity and overeating can shorten the life of the dog significantly. They should also be kept happy, socializing with their family as well as strangers.
