Schipperke
Overview
The Schipperke is a tiny dog from the Companion group — a high-drive, athletic dog that needs a lot of vigorous exercise. In temperament it's very affectionate and people-oriented, independent-minded and best with patient, consistent training and it tolerates some alone time once settled. With a typical lifespan of 13 to 15 years, the Schipperke is a long commitment.
Is the Schipperke right for you?
A good match if — you're newer to dogs and want a forgiving breed; you live in an apartment or smaller home; you have children at home; you're active and want a dog to move with; you want a closely bonded companion.
Think twice if — you can't commit to vigorous daily exercise.
What a Schipperke needs from you
Day to day, the Schipperke needs a major daily time commitment from you and intense daily exercise and a job to do. It does best with a lot of space, ideally a yard and a little dog know-how.
Living with a Schipperke
At home, the Schipperke adapts to apartment life with daily walks. It's great with kids of all ages, reserved with new people, fairly vocal, and a tidy, low-drool breed.
Key facts
- Size
- Tiny
- Height
- 10 inches to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the shoulder
- Weight
- 11 to 18 pounds
- Life span
- 13 to 15 years
- Group
- Companion Dogs
What it needs from you (at a glance)
| Space needed | |
| Experience needed | |
| Maintenance | no data yet |
| Time per day | |
| Need for company | |
| Handling / closeness | |
| Cost level | no data yet |
Health & what to watch for
The start matters most: get a Schipperke from someone who health-tests their lines — ask to see the results — or from a reputable rescue, and register with a vet early. Smaller breeds tend to be more prone to dental disease and slipping kneecaps, so stay on top of teeth and watch for limping or skipped steps. Across every breed the single biggest lever you control is weight — a lean dog lives longer and has fewer problems. Food intolerances usually show as itchy skin, recurring ear trouble or an upset stomach; if that turns up, a vet-guided elimination diet beats guesswork. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice — your vet knows your individual dog.
Best toys
Good toys for a Schipperke: toys that burn real energy — a ball launcher, a flirt pole, fetch and tug. Rotate a few at a time rather than leaving everything out — novelty is half the value — and always supervise a new chew.
Growing up
Mind the small frame — go easy on jumps down from furniture, and start dental care and house-training patiently from day one. The first months are the socialization window: calm, positive exposure to new people, sounds, surfaces and other animals now shapes the adult dog more than almost anything else. Channel the energy early with structured outlets and basic training, or a bored youngster will invent its own jobs.
What it costs
Scaled to this breed’s roughly 7 kg and a ~14-year life, keeping a Schipperke works out at about:
Rough cross-breed averages in USD — a planning guide, not a quote. Break it down by life phase in the Cost Calculator →
Temperament (at a glance)
| Affection | |
| Energy | |
| Vocalness | |
| Trainability | |
| Tolerates alone |
Its presence, grown
Raised with patience and consistency, the adult Schipperke settles into a powerful, restless presence that fills any space. It attaches closely to its people and is happiest when they are near. It is reserved with new faces and slow to give its trust.
As your partner
Picture it as a grown partner at your side: early mornings, serious exercise and a tireless partner for everything you do outdoors. It can settle on its own once it trusts the routine. With children it is gentle and patient — a true family dog.
What makes it unique
What sets the Schipperke apart is a heart bred purely for human company — it would rather be at your side than do anything else in the world. It is built to go all day, and needs that outlet to be its best self.