THE OFFICIAL SCHIPPERKE STANDARD by JO PATRICK
B efore I begin my view on the AKC Schipperke standard, I find it important to inform you that my life prior to dogs was teaching young children with learning disabilities. All were bright and had a true willingness to learn. They just learned differently, thus, it was my duty as their teacher to present one sub- ject in 5 or 6 different ways. Anything that worked was a success. This was in the early 60s and the beginning of the change from standardized teach- ing to one that was more individualistic in nature. I began my odyssey with AKC registered dogs in 1972 with the pur- chase of two Shetland Sheepdogs. Fortunately, I purchased my Shelties from a reputable breeder which began my introduction to showing dogs. I viewed my first dog show in 1969 while living in Japan with my husband after his squadron’s tour in Vietnam was finished. While I loved the sweet tempera- ment and amenable behavior of the Shetland Sheepdogs, I found I was drawn to a temperament more indepen- dent in nature. So in 1980 I obtained my first Schipperke and a few years later my first Great Pyrenees, the two breeds that have held me captive for the past 37 years. While different in looks, both breeds are very much alike in their determination, independent nature and complete loyalty. I am a licensed breeder judge of 22 years along with the Herding group a couple of Sight Hounds and Pyrs. I am a SCA approved mentor, served on multiple Judges Education commit- tees as well as a presenter at a number Study Groups and at one of our Nation- als. I am the current Schipperke Club of America Delegate. I will be using various verbally visual references in this interpretation and hopefully a successful mentoring
above items come together perfectly you have that unique silhouette. With- out that silhouette you do not have a Schipperke. One of the last items mentioned in our General Appearance mentions, “appearing to slope from shoulders to croup”. This “appearing to slope” means just that. It can “appear to slope” due to the “ruff and cape”, not from an upright shoulder. Any deviation from the ideal described in the standard should be penalized to the extent of the devia- tion. Faults common to all breeds are as undesirable in the Schipperke as in any other breed, even though such faults may not be specifically mentioned in the standard. SIZE, PROPORTION & SUBSTANCE • Size—The suggested height at the highest point of the withers is 11-13 inches for males and 10-12 inches for bitches. Quality should always take precedence over size. • Proportion—Square in profile. • Substance—Thickset. Noteworthy is that “Quality should always take precedence over size.” It again mentions “square” in profile and then calling for the substance to be “thickset”. Next time you are in a mar- ket shopping, pick up a 10-pound sack of flour and add another 4-5 pound sack and think about that kind of weight on a 12-inch dog. I have to address what I just said: this does not imply that it is okay to pick up any dog at any time when judging this breed—ever! HEAD • Expression—The expression is ques- tioning, mischievous, impudent and alert, but never mean or wild. The well proportioned head, accompa- nied by the correct eyes and ears, will give the dog proper expression.
experience of the Schipperke. I am totally devoted to and smitten with the Schipperke. Now to the important part—my breed. GENERAL APPEARANCE The Schipperke is an agile, active watchdog and hunter of vermin. In appearance he is a small, thickset, cob- by, black and tailless dog, with a fox- like face. The dog is square in profile and possesses a distinctive coat, which includes a stand-out ruff, cape and culottes. All of these create a unique silhouette, appearing to slope from shoulders to croup. Males are decid- edly masculine without coarseness. Bitches are decidedly feminine without over refinement. There are some interesting words used in the beginning section of the Standard. Let’s look at some: The Schip- perke is described as “small thickset, cobby”; this does not mean tiny and dainty. The Schipperke is a dog of sub- stance. Later on in our standard it refer- ences the suggested height as 11-13 inch- es in the dog and 10-12 in our bitches. Since I began my showing and breeding experience in the Shetland Sheepdog, I automatically envision the Sheltie mini- mum height at 13. That might help you with a physical reference. They usually will be between 10 and 18 plus pounds. The next descriptive word used in our standard is “Tailless”, this is about as descriptive as you can get. The “fox- like face” means the opposite of square/ blocky; it is more wedged/triangular, just as exemplified by a fox. The Schipperke body is square, not rectangular. If you dropped a Schipper- ke in a cattle chute, let his head stick out and close in that back gate to his rear, you will have a Schipperke in a square box; a square box. Additionally, found in the General Appearance is our distinctive coat, including a “stand-out ruff, cape and culottes.” When these
234 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , A PRIL 2017
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