Schipperkes?

[GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal]

Does anyone have any experience of this breed? I've been doing research into what kind of dog might suit us best as a family, and I'm really taken with the sound of this one - but I've never even met one, or known anyone who's had one.

I have one and am reasonably involved in the breed through showing, breed club activities etc. - what would you like to know? :)

I clearly think they are delightful but they're not for everyone. They are a typical big dog in a small body and quite spitz-y in nature - fiercely intelligent but mischievous and sometimes stubborn with it. Best described as 'incurable busybodies', they are hypervigilant watchdogs, devoted to their people and often having some guarding instinct towards strangers. Happily they're an incredibly healthy breed with few genetic disorders and regularly live into their late teens.

We had one when I was a kid

She came to us at 7 months from a fairly shitty situation, and was very wary of children as a result (including me, but I still loved her). As Currahee says, excellent guard dogs: she had a big-dog-at-distance bark, not a small dog yap, and alerted my parents to at least one unwanted intruder. She was very bright, playful and lively into her teens and lived to be 17.

I'd have another if I ever wanted a small dog - I love their sass and attitude.

Sorry, I asked the question then went into a zoom call, and then the kids were home from school by the time I came off!

Basically, we want a small dog (as our house is small) that's good with kids and won't attack our cat. We are a family of four (plus cat), and live in a small mid-terrace with a small, though reasonably secure garden. We are close to the city centre but within walking distance of two large parks, and a short drive from rural areas.

Someone is home all day - and this is permanent arrangement, not a COVID one, and both DH had dogs as teens/young adults. The DC are 9 and 6.5 and are used to dogs - their grandma lives locally and has dogs (used to be staffies, now a French Bulldog) and they spend a lot of time around them, and have been taught to behave gently and respectfully around them.

We need a small dog, as I mentioned, for space reasons, but the idea of the "small dog, big personality" appeals, as we are none of us keen on lap dog types, or very sensitive types (especially as the DC and I are most used to Staffies!)

I spent most of this afternoon on the Schipperke club website and they sound ideal in many ways. I'm a bit concerned about the tendency to bark though - while I like the idea of a dog that's alert which will bark at intruders, we do live in a terrace and have a lot of "footfall" past the house, so that could be an issue. And I'm a bit concerned about the prey drive, as we have a cat (though he's a large, bold cat that tends to like other animals - moreso than he does people tbh!), and possible dog aggression. I suspect these things may be less of an issue with proper training though?

I suppose what I'm asking is does this sound like a good match for us, or should I keep looking?

A border terrier would tick most of your boxes as well

@grannycake

A border terrier would tick most of your boxes as well

Would they not be likely to go for the cat?

I do like Borders though. My uncle has one.

I have a border terrier and I also think they would tick all your boxes. If a border puppy is brought up with cats you should be fine - it is only if you try to introduce a cat to a border not used to them that you would have trouble, I think. I know families where they happily coexist.

pets.thenest.com/can-border-terriers-raised-cats-8307.html

Even if not brought up with cats, schips can be fine with them - ours was. We also moved to a house right on the street when she was about 7 and her barking was never an issue - it wasn't people walking past that bothered her, but anyone trying to get in. She wasn't dog aggressive either (I've seen from more from terriers tbh) though she did spend the first 6 or 7 months of her life with another dog. She would tell a big dog off if it got overbearing but she never picked a fight.

I appreciate that's just the one dog, and have met a schip since who was much arsier (but was also a rescue, I think older than ours had been). A well socialised puppy, from well-bred parents with solid temperaments, should be fine.

I've had a terrier as well as growing up with the schipperke, and I think the terrier was harder work - more prey drive (from farm ratter parents, so no wonder), harder on the lead, barked more at passers-by. She was less suspicious of visitors than the schipperke had been, though. The schipperke was more interested in us as a family, though.

I think they are fab little dogs, though when they moult you know about it.

Mine has a low prey drive but that is atypical for the breed - I'd say at least moderate for most. Less than a sighthound or a terrier though, and I know plenty that live with cats (but would probably give chase to any cat that wasn't theirs, IYSWIM!)

Barking... mine is a moderate and sensible barker (once or twice if the door goes, then knows to shut up) but it took some work, you can see that the impulse is there and left unchecked they will bark if a sparrow farts five miles away and think they've done a great job in letting you know. Squash it down ruthlessly and early! In fairness though that is exactly their job, to bustle about keeping an eye on things and to raise a racket if something is amiss, and IMO they still bark less than some other popular breeds - I don't know how anyone can live with a miniature schnauzer, for instance (tongue firmly in cheek if there are are schnauzer owners reading!)

I'm glad you mentioned the breed club as it will be pretty much your only route to getting one as there are fewer than 30 born in the UK each year, you'd want to get your interest registered ASAP.

I'm a bit concerned about the tendency to bark though - while I like the idea of a dog that's alert which will bark at intruders, we do live in a terrace and have a lot of "footfall" past the house, so that could be an issue
I’m also in a mid terrace.
I have a breed typically known to be vocal.
She was taught as a puppy not to bark in the house and is completely silent when the doorbell goes but you definitely know when someone is near the door because she runs full pelt down the hallway and does deep sniff sounds at the door.

"I'm glad you mentioned the breed club as it will be pretty much your only route to getting one as there are fewer than 30 born in the UK each year, you'd want to get your interest registered ASAP."

I've emailed the two breeders closest to us and asked them to add us to their waiting list if they have any future litters planned.

Thank you all for the advice.