Official ICCF Breed Standard
Brief Historical Background
The Schipperke is an ancient Belgian breed that developed in the Flemish region as a versatile small dog for guarding, accompanying, and controlling vermin. Its ancestors are believed to be old shepherd and watchdog types such as the Leuvenaar, from which the Schipperke inherited compactness, liveliness, and alertness. In the 15th–17th centuries, the breed was widely used by craftsmen and cart drivers, guarding carts, property, and homes. Owing to its small size and lightning-fast reactions, it was highly effective as a ratter. By the late 19th century, the breed gained broad recognition, was presented at European dog shows, and became popular as an energetic companion and reliable watchdog. Today, the Schipperke preserves its working qualities and characteristic national type.
General Appearance
The Schipperke is a small, compact, harmoniously built dog with a clearly defined square outline and a distinctive silhouette. The body is strong and muscular but not coarse, with dry, well-defined lines. The head is wedge-shaped, with a fox-like expression and alert gaze. The neck is strong and moderately long, emphasizing the proud carriage of the head. The back is straight, the loin short, and the croup slightly sloping. Limbs are straight, parallel, with dense bone. A characteristic breed feature is the thick, standing ruff around the neck and shoulders, creating the breed’s typical outline. Movement is light, energetic, and precise. Overall, the Schipperke gives the impression of a small, hardy, confident, and attentive dog.
Important Proportions
The main proportion of the Schipperke is the square format: body length equals or slightly exceeds the height at the withers. The head is proportional to the body, wedge-shaped, with a moderate stop. The muzzle length is about 40% of the total head length. The chest is deep but not broad, reaching the elbow level and providing sufficient lung capacity for active work. The limbs are balanced in length, with moderate angulation ensuring precision and agility. The tail is often naturally short or docked (in countries where permitted). The neck must be long enough to accentuate the silhouette. All proportions aim to create compactness, mobility, and quick reaction.
Behavior and Temperament
The Schipperke is energetic, attentive, and intelligent, displaying high reactivity and pronounced alertness. Despite its small size, it is courageous and possesses strong watchdog qualities, reacting quickly to any sound or movement. The breed develops a close bond with its owner and shows loyalty and a natural tendency to control territory, reflecting its historical function as a guard dog. In everyday life it is active, playful, and requires both mental and physical stimulation. It interacts well with children but may be independent and selective with strangers. Its temperament combines liveliness, confidence, vigilance, and natural curiosity, making it a bright and energetic companion.
Head
The Schipperke’s head is wedge-shaped, dry, proportional to the body, with a characteristic fox-like expression. The skull is moderately wide, slightly rounded, tapering smoothly toward the muzzle. The stop is moderate but distinct. The muzzle is straight, narrowing yet not thin, with strong jaws and tight lips. The nose is well pigmented, predominantly black, with wide nostrils. The bite is scissor, with strong, even teeth. The ears—one of the key breed traits—are small, triangular, erect, high-set, pointing forward and very mobile. The head must convey intelligence, alertness, and liveliness.
Facial Region
The facial region forms an expressive, alert, intelligent expression. The muzzle is dry and straight, narrowing smoothly toward the nose. Lips are thin, tight, without folds. Jaws are strong, with clean lines and a scissor bite. Cheeks are moderately defined, not coarse, supporting the wedge-shaped head. The area under the eyes is dry and neat, accentuating the intense gaze. The skin is tight, with clean contours, enhancing the breed’s sharp, vivid outline. The facial region must create the typical Schipperke expression—intelligent, vigilant, slightly mistrustful, yet always focused and aware.
Eyes
The eyes are small, oval, slightly slanted, giving the dog a lively, alert, and intelligent look. The color is predominantly dark brown, deep and rich, matching the black coat of most Schipperkes. Eyelids are dry, tight, and well pigmented, enhancing the depth of expression. The sclera is barely visible. Faults include overly large, round, or prominent eyes, as well as light iris color, which spoils the breed expression. The gaze must be focused, quick, and attentive, reflecting the nature of a small watchdog able to react instantly. The eyes are one of the breed’s key expressive features.
Ears
The ears are a major breed hallmark. They are small, triangular, erect, firm in texture, and very mobile. Set high and close together, they point straight upward, forming the characteristic alert silhouette. The ears must retain correct form and firmness, not be too wide, long, soft, or spread sideways. Tips are sharply pointed. The hair on the ears is short, smooth, and tight. Correct ear carriage enhances the wedge-shaped head and strengthens the breed expression. Any deviations that distort the clear silhouette are considered serious faults.
Neck
The neck is of medium length, dry, strong, slightly arched, flowing smoothly into the withers. It must be long enough to emphasize the silhouette, particularly the standing coat forming the ruff. Musculature is moderate and not coarse; the skin fits tightly without folds. The neck provides high head mobility and stability during active movement, important for the breed’s working and guarding roles. Faults include overly short, massive, or weak necks disturbing overall balance. Correct neck structure enhances the square format, liveliness, and lightness of the Schipperke.
Body
The body is compact, firm, square in outline, with strong but dry lines. The withers are moderately pronounced, blending into a short, straight, strong back. The loin is powerful, slightly arched, well muscled. The ribcage is deep but not broad, reaching the elbows; ribs are moderately sprung, allowing sufficient lung volume. The croup is short, slightly sloping, supporting correct rear propulsion. The underline is moderately tucked up, emphasizing the breed’s athleticism and collected outline. The body must express strength, stability, and readiness for action without coarseness or heaviness.
Tail
The tail in the Schipperke may vary in length: from naturally short (congenital) to full length. In countries where docking is permitted, short docked tails occur. Naturally, the tail is high-set, carried straight or slightly curved, lowered at rest. Long tails are covered with smooth hair and must harmonize with the square body format. Faults include kinks, excessively high carriage, tight curls, or tails disrupting the topline. The tail must not distort the breed’s characteristic silhouette and must integrate naturally with the compact body.
Forequarters
The forequarters are straight, parallel, dry, with dense bone and moderate musculature. Shoulder blades are long, sloping, tight, providing good mobility and correct angle with the upper arm. The upper arm is sufficiently long, forming a harmonious connection with the forearm and ensuring good reach. Elbows point straight back, without inward or outward deviation. Forearms are straight and strong. Pasterns are short, slightly sloping, resilient. Feet are compact and round, with strong pads and nails. The forequarters must provide precision, stability, and agility.
Hindquarters
The hindquarters are strong, moderately wide, with well-developed but dry musculature. Thighs are long and well filled, providing powerful drive. Stifles have correct angulation, neither too straight nor excessively bent. Lower thighs are strong and proportional; hocks are stable, low-set, without weakness or turning in/out. Metatarsals are vertical and parallel, giving a clear, confident push. Feet are compact and oval, with tight pads. The hindquarters must emphasize mobility, stamina, and working ability. Any signs of weakness, stiffness, or incorrect angulation are faults.
Gait and Movement
The Schipperke moves fast, lightly, energetically, with precision, balance, and coordination. At the trot, the dog moves evenly and freely, with good forward reach and strong rear drive. The topline remains firm; movement is straight without crossing or swinging. The step is springy and rhythmic, highlighting compactness. Balance and confidence are preserved even at higher speed. The Schipperke is highly agile, capable of quick direction changes—an essential quality for its historical role as a guard and ratter. Faults include stiffness, wobbling, short stride, weak joints, or excessive body sway.
Coat
The coat is dense, double-layered, with a thick undercoat providing volume and insulation. The outer coat is harsh, straight, and close-fitting, forming the characteristic ruff around the neck and the “mane-like” silhouette at the front. The rear body and thighs are covered with shorter but still dense coat. On the muzzle, ears, and limbs, the hair is shorter and close. Faults include excessive softness, curliness, lack of undercoat, or sparse coat. The coat must emphasize compactness, confidence, and energy, while providing protection in field conditions.
Acceptable Colors
The Schipperke’s traditional and primary color is solid, saturated black, uniform across the entire body. The undercoat should also be black or very dark to maintain a solid silhouette. Minimal, very small white marks on the chest or toes are permissible if they do not disturb the overall impression. Other dark shades may occur but are considered undesirable and not typical of the breed. Pigmentation of the nose, eyelids, and lips must be fully black. Faults include diluted shades, brownish tones, lightening, large white markings, or any pattern disrupting color uniformity.
Size
The Schipperke is a small but sturdy dog of square format. Height at the withers in both males and females typically ranges from 25 to 33 cm, with compactness and correct proportions being essential. Adult weight ranges from 3 to 9 kg depending on sex, age, and condition. The priority is structural harmony, enabling agility, stamina, and reactivity. The dog must remain light and quick but sufficiently firm and muscular. Excessive heaviness or extreme lightness is undesirable as it disrupts balance and may impair function.
Faults
Faults include deviations that disrupt breed type or reduce functionality: weak musculature, elongated body format, insufficient chest depth, coarse or soft topline, weak limbs. Incorrect ear set, large or soft ears, light eyes, loose eyelids, or sharp breaks in muzzle line are faults. Coat faults include softness, curliness, sparseness, or lack of undercoat. Color faults include light shading, insufficient pigmentation, or excessive white. Behavioral faults include excessive nervousness, aggression, or shyness, which distort the breed’s confident, lively nature.
Disqualifying Faults
Disqualifying faults include any deviations severely violating breed type or threatening health and functionality. Unprovoked aggression, pronounced fear, and uncontrolled behavior exclude the dog from breeding and shows. Incorrect bite, multiple missing teeth, partial or complete depigmentation of the nose, eyelids, or lips are disqualifying. Atypical colors, large white patches, brown or light tones are serious faults. Dogs with soft, long, heavily curled, or sparse coats, limb deformities, spinal defects, or pronounced gait abnormalities are disqualified. Any congenital or acquired defects hindering normal work are unacceptable.
Important Notes
Work with the breed requires considering its natural activity, watchdog character, and high sensitivity to stimuli. The Schipperke needs regular physical exercise, mental stimulation, and firm training. Despite its size, it requires full activity to maintain health and balanced behavior. Its coat needs minimal but regular care. At shows, judges must evaluate the square format, typical expression, solid black coat, and coat quality. Stability, confidence, and activity must also be assessed. Any deviations impairing functionality or breed expression must be recorded.
Conclusion
The Schipperke is an energetic, compact, intelligent breed preserving its working and guarding qualities. In the ICCF system, participation in shows and breeding programs is allowed only with official ICCF documents confirming origin and conformity to the standard. The breed combines alertness, endurance, and loyalty, remaining an excellent companion and small guardian. Proper selection, attention to type, and strict adherence to breed parameters allow preservation of its unique appearance, character, and functionality. With responsible breeding, the Schipperke demonstrates stable temperament, harmonious structure, and typical energy, making the breed recognizable and in demand.
