by Marlon Barkley

Sea travelers don’t need to search further for the best sea trip companion. The Schipperke is the perfect mate because it is incredibly developed to have a low center of gravity, meaning it is not prone to sea sickness. On board, this dog is game about anything because it stays agile, brave and dependable.

The Schipperke is a small breed of dog that originally appeared in Belgium during the early 16th century. This dog has a thickset and compact body and a fox-like face. The only acceptable color for this breed is black and that other shades lighter than it are considered disqualifications.

Aside from being fox-like and all black, there are also other unique features noticeable of a Schipperke. One of the most distinct features would probably be the coat that stands as a ruff, cape and culottes of the dog. The ruff is a remarkable adornment around a Schipperke’s neck as it wounds around, down to the expanse of its back.

It has small, pointed and erect ears that rest on top of its head and it has a short docked tail. Most Schipperkes are born without a tail or with a very short one. Upon a few months from birth the grown out tails are docked but in some cases like in the US or Canada, the tails are docked right after birth.

The Schipperke is a not a heavy shedder and that it has a rough-to-the-touch topcoat and a soft and luscious undercoat. The topcoat is always in shades of black while the undercoat may be in a slightly lighter color. In order to keep this dog beautiful, the coat must be trimmed regularly and be brushed weekly.

Some call this breed the “Tasmanian Black Devil” or the “little black devil” because it can be stubborn, mischievous and headstrong at times. It is bursting with life and zest, highly curious and damages things when it feels bored. It is also very smart but sometimes plays deaf to the commands of the master.

Supposedly, the word schipperke is an English term which means “little sailor”. Studies corrected, however, that the word is a term borrowed from the Dutch word “shapocke” or “scheperke” meaning “little shepherd”. As further evidence, the Schipperke holds a strong similarity to the Belgian Sheepdog also called the Groenendel.

The English sailors mistook the Schipperke as a Dutch barge dog as it was often seen before working in barges in the canals, hunting vermin, securing the vessel (they bark vigorously) and helping men tow some reluctant horses aboard. In the USA, this breed is popularly called the Belgian Barge Dog or the Belgian Ship Dog. Moreover, during WWII, the Belgian Resistance used this breed as messengers towards hideouts and cells and went undetected until the end of war.

About the Author:
Discover many helpful articles about your marvelous Schipperke dog. Visit author Marlon Barkley’s website today and read Schipperke breeders, Schipperke puppies, Schipperke rescue and many!

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