Schipperke characteristics
| Trait | Rating | How common |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Small | 24% of breeds |
| Energy level | High | — |
| Trainability | Medium | 48% of breeds |
| Friendliness | Medium | 34% of breeds |
| Good with children | Medium | — |
| Grooming needs | Medium | 26% of breeds |
| Shedding | High | 15% of breeds |
| Barking | High | 17% of breeds |
| Protectiveness | Very High | 14% of breeds |
| Adaptability | High | 31% of breeds |
| Typical lifespan | 14 years | — |
| Hypoallergenic | No | — |
“How common” is the share of the 321 breeds we score that sit in the same band. Ratings describe the breed, not any individual dog.
Is the Schipperke right for you?
The Schipperke is a small dog that fits small homes easily and never crowds a room. In terms of temperament, it usually does well with children given socialization and supervision and carries a powerful guarding instinct. Day to day, the Schipperke needs a good deal of daily exercise — long walks, running or vigorous play, which is the single biggest factor in whether it will suit your routine.
Exercise and daily routine
The Schipperke needs a good deal of daily exercise — long walks, running or vigorous play. With high energy and high athleticism, a consistent daily routine keeps this breed physically and mentally satisfied. Skipping exercise is the most common cause of problem behaviour, so match the Schipperke to a lifestyle you can realistically maintain.
Grooming, shedding and upkeep
The Schipperke needs consistent brushing to keep the coat healthy and leaves a noticeable amount of hair on furniture and clothing. It is not considered hypoallergenic, so allergy sufferers should spend time around the breed first.
Temperament and training
The Schipperke trains reasonably well with regular positive sessions and is fairly vocal and will bark to alert you. It is fairly independent and handles alone time well, so plan for company or gradual alone-time training if you work away from home. Early socialization and positive, reward-based training bring out the best in this breed.
What stands out about the Schipperke
Most breed descriptions call everything “loyal and intelligent”. These are the ratings where the Schipperke genuinely differs from the rest of the catalogue — the things worth knowing before you commit.
- Protectiveness: Very high — the Schipperke is among the most protective breeds here, which needs early socialisation to stay useful rather than reactive. Only 14% of breeds we score share this rating.
- Shedding: High — the Schipperke sheds more than most breeds, year-round rather than just seasonally. Only 15% of breeds we score share this rating.
- Barking: High — the Schipperke is more vocal than most breeds. Only 17% of breeds we score share this rating.
What a week with a Schipperke actually costs you
| Exercise | Around an hour to ninety minutes of daily exercise, and it will notice when a day is skipped. |
|---|---|
| Coat | Weekly brushing keeps the coat in reasonable order. |
| Time alone | Handles normal working hours better than most, given exercise either side. |
| Noise | More vocal than most; worth factoring into flat living. |
Where the Schipperke fits — and where it does not
Each verdict below comes from the ratings in the table above, so you can check the reasoning rather than take it on trust.
| Household | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment living | Depends | Workable on space, but the barking needs managing where walls are shared. |
| Families with young children | Depends | Medium child tolerance: fine with supervision and older children, less so with toddlers. |
| First-time owners | Depends | Manageable for a committed beginner who takes training seriously from week one. |
| Homes with cats | Depends | High prey drive. Introductions need managing, and a bolting cat triggers exactly the instinct this breed was selected for. |
| Long working days | Good fit | High independence, so time alone is less of a problem than for many breeds. |
| Allergy households | Poor fit | High shedding and no low-allergen coat recorded. |
| Wanting a watchful dog | Good fit | Very high protectiveness. Socialisation decides whether that reads as steady or reactive. |
Perfect for
- Active families
- Apartment living
- Experienced small dog owners
- Watchdog seekers
Things to consider
- High energy for size
- Can be independent
- Needs mental stimulation
Not sure which breed is right for you?
Take the free DoggyQ quiz and get a personalized match from 321 breeds based on your lifestyle, home and preferences — plus a full report on what living with that breed actually costs.
Find your perfect matchFrequently asked questions
- Is the Schipperke good with children?
- The Schipperke can be good with children when properly socialized and supervised.
- Does the Schipperke shed a lot?
- The Schipperke has high shedding.
- How much exercise does the Schipperke need?
- With high energy, the Schipperke needs plenty of daily exercise and mental stimulation — long walks, runs or active play.
- How long does the Schipperke live?
- The Schipperke typically lives around 14 years.
- Can the Schipperke live in an apartment?
- The Schipperke can live in an apartment provided it gets enough daily exercise and mental stimulation.
- Is the Schipperke easy to train?
- The Schipperke trains reasonably well with regular positive sessions. Consistency, early socialization and reward-based methods work best.
- Can the Schipperke be left alone during the day?
- The Schipperke is fairly independent and handles alone time well. Build up alone time gradually and provide enrichment to prevent boredom.