Schipperke

Patellar Luxation

Legg-Perthes Disease

Hip Dysplasia

Heart murmurs

1 1/8 to 1 7/8 cup of high-quality dog food a day, split into two meals, is the recommended daily amount for a Schipperke to consume. Schipperkes are voracious eaters that can quickly gain weight. Rather than throwing food out all the time, measure his food and feed him twice a day to keep your Schipperke in good health. Offer him the eye and hands-on tests if you're not sure if he's overweight. Look down at him first. There should be a waist visible. Then, with your thumbs around his spine and fingers extended downward, put your hands on his back. Without pressing so hard, you should be able to feel but not see his ribs. If you can't, he'll need to eat less and do more.

Schipperkes, like all dogs, shed to a degree. They aren't known for being heavy shedders, but they will shed more vigorously twice a year. Seasonal shedding happens twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. This shedding is a dog's normal tendency to brace its coat for the impending change of temperature. A brush that can penetrate the undercoat, on the other hand, is ideal.

It's easy to groom a Schipperke. Although some hair will still be there, weekly grooming will help prevent the fur from floating around your home. Once or twice a year, he'll shed extensively, known as blowing coat.

A warm bath can help loosen and clear the dead hair at this time. The process of shedding takes about a month to complete. The Schipperke is a tidy, odourless breed. Bathe him as necessary. Dental hygiene and nail treatment are two other grooming requirements. Brush the Schipperke's teeth at least twice to three days a week to keep tartar buildup and bacteria at bay. Every day is preferable.

As required, trim his nails once or twice a month. They're too long if you can hear the nail scraping against the cement. Short nails keep your Schipperke's feet healthy and won't itch your knees as he jumps up to greet you.

The Schipperke is a very active dog that reacts quickly to everything that happens in its environment; it is not a couch potato. It does not, however, need a lot of structured exercise and can get on for as little as half an hour per day if it has access to a safe garden. As a vermin killer, having unrestricted access to the outdoors encourages it to practice its instincts to dig around for mice and insects, which can help combat boredom-related behavioral issues.

Schipperkes has a few health issues that may be problematic. They include cataracts and gradual retinal atrophy in the eyes, Hip Dysplasia, Legg-Calve-Perthes disorder, hypothyroidism, and mucopolysaccharidosis IIIb in the hips. A Schipperke must have patella (knee) and thyroid clearances from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. To be CHIC accredited, you must have eye clearance from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation. OFA clearances for hips and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, as well as a DNA screening for mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIB, are optional examinations.

Schipperkes adore their families, but they are self-assured, proud dogs who have their minds. Don't be surprised if they rush out the door without permission, bark excessively, or are difficult to housetrain.

Schipperkes want to do it their way, and they won't follow your advice until you can establish yourself as their leader. Someone strict and persistent but not stern is a satisfied Schipperke maker. It also helps to get a good sense of humour.

To keep your Schipperke busy, channel his intellect and vitality into tasks like agility, herding, rally, and obedience, or perform a lot of trick riding, jogging, and other activities.

This breed, though intelligent, requires regular training and a confident trainer. If you're too gentle, indecisive, or contradictory, the positions will be reversed. The majority of Schipperke owners will agree that teaching them takes a lot of time and assertiveness. These dogs are not stupid, but they like to make their own decisions rather than being guided by humans. These characteristics contribute to their success in search and rescue and identification work, but they must be addressed in a straightforward, firm-but-fair approach.

Schipperkes get along well with other little dogs, cats, and even well-behaved big dogs. Schipperkes should not get to pet rabbits, guinea pigs, or rodents while they are well fenced. Care is needed. Both dogs need food at least once a day, constant access to freshwater, shelter, health treatment, exercise, and a lot of affection.