Toby & Buddy
Schipperke’s Rule!
Say Hello to Toby and Buddy. Toby is our 13 year old Schipperke and Buddy is our 1 year old Schipperke puppy.
Schipperke is pronounced: skipper-kee
So you’ve never heard of a Schipperke? Well your not alone; many people have never heard of or seen a Schipperke. They are a wonderful breed however they are not for everyone. Commonly called ”Devil Dogs” they can be a lot of work. The love that a Schipperke can give however is what makes them absolutely amazing. The AKC has lots of info about Schipperke’s. (AKC Website)
Schipperke History
The Schipperke is a diminutive of the black sheepdog commonly called the Leauvenaar, which used to follow the wagons along the old highways in the provinces of Belgium. In the mid-19th century some of these 40-pound sheepdogs were still herding sheep in the neighborhood of Louvain, and from these both the Schipperke and the Groenendael have descended. The Schipperke was bred down to become that “excellent and faithful” little watchdog that we know.
In 1690, a show for Schipperkes of the Guild workmen was held in the Grand Palace of Brussels. The breed was called Spits or Spitske then; the name Schipperke was given it only after the forming of the specialty club in 1888. The name is Flemish for “little captain”. Though called a canalboat dog, the Schipperke was as popular with shoemakers and other workmen as it was on the canals.
The first dog in America was imported in 1888. A specialty club was founded here about 1905, but died out during World War I. There was little interest until, after several years of effort by a few fanciers, the present Schipperke Club of America was founded in 1929.
Provided By: The American Kennel Club
