These dogs have medium length, thick coats that should be combed or brushed on a regular basis. Dry shampoo treatments may also be used when necessary. Active and always alert, this breed is happy to live in an apartment, condominium, or home in an urban or rural setting. They can run very quickly so using a leash or letting them run in a fenced yard is recommended. They enjoy running, walking, and playing and given the opportunity these dogs will get plenty of exercise from any of these activities.
Schipperkes do very well on boats since and enjoy excursions on the water.
Originally, the Schipperke was bred and raised in Flanders by a canal boat captain named Renssens. The name Schipperke is pronounced as skipper-key, which is derived from a Flemish word. This breed s ancestors may include Belgian Shepherd Dogs. Schipperkes became popular in Belgium in the late 1800s when they were used to guard barges and to keep rats and mice populations under control on these vessels. After that began to appear throughout the world.