Schipperke

There are many beautiful and fascinating breeds of dogs in the world. One of the most lovely breeds is the schipperke. For well over a hundred years the schipperke has been known as a loyal, intelligent, and hard-working dog. All one needs to do to consider possibly owning one of these fantastic dogs from a schipperke rescue is learn a few interesting and fun facts about the breed.

Not a lot is known regarding the actual origin of the schipperke. What is known, however is that the schipperke has been a formally recognized breed of dog since the late 1800’s. The breed has origins much earlier, though. In the 17th century the schipperke, a miniature form of the black sheepdog, was commonly found accompanying horse-drawn wagons and herding sheep in Belgium. The name, schipperke, is from the Flemish word meaning “little captain.” This may have something to do with the fact that the 20-pound dogs were often seen riding boats on the canals. A somewhat charming legend comes to us from the same era which tells about a time when a cobbler became disgusted by the on-going peskiness of his neighbor’s dog. The cobbler meant to “teach” the dog a lesson by cutting off its tail. From that time on, many have considered the trimmed-tail look to be a preferred feature. This could have been a factor in preserving the breed up to our day. In a way, cutting the tail may have brought about the first schipperke rescue (of sorts.)

Regardless of its past or its origin, the schipperke today is considered to be in the top 15 of all breeds. This beautiful and hardworking breed has been a favorite of herdsmen, hunters, and people of all walks of life who enjoy spirited, loyal companions. Ranging from seven to twenty pounds, the schipperke can be quite a handful. Like most smaller breeds it often times considers itself to be a much bigger dog than it is. This quality helps to allow the schipperke to be trained as a fearless watchdog around the property. In addition to this, schipperkes are known for their high intelligence. The schipperke is easily trained and is known to learn new commands in fewer than twenty repetitions.

If you are interested in adding a loyal and beautiful animal to your family, won’t you find a schipperke rescue today? Surely there is a dog there just perfect for you and your family or friends.