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Official AKC Standard for the Schipperke

General Appearance
The Schipperke is an agile, active watchdog and hunter of vermin. In appearance he is a small, thickset, cobby, black,
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 decidedly masculine without coarseness. Bitches are decidedly feminine without overrefinement. Any
deviation from the ideal described in the standard should be penalized to the extent of the deviation. 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.

Head
Expression-The expression is questioning, mischievous, impudent and alert, but never mean or wild. The well
proportioned head, accompanied by the correct eyes and ears, will give the dog proper Schipperke expression.
Skull-The skull is of medium width, narrowing toward the muzzle. Seen in profile with the ears laid back, the skull is
slightly rounded. The upper jaw is moderately filled in under the eyes, so that, when viewed from above, the head forms a
wedge tapering smoothly from the back of the skull to the tip of the nose. The stop is definite but not prominent. The
length of the muzzle is slightly less than the length of the skull. Eyes-The ideal eyes are small, oval rather than round, dark
brown, and placed forward on the head. Ears-The ears are small, triangular, placed high on the head, and, when at
attention, very erect. A drop ear or ears is a disqualification. Nose-The nose is small and black. Bite-The bite must be
scissors or level. Any deviation is to be severely penalized.

Neck, Topline, Body
Neck-The neck is of moderate length, slightly arched and in balance with the rest of the dog to give the correct silhouette.
Topline-The topline is level or sloping slightly from the withers to the croup. The stand-out ruff adds to the slope, making
the dog seem slightly higher at the shoulders than at the rump. Body-The chest is broad and deep, and reaches to the
elbows. The well sprung ribs (modified oval) are wide behind the shoulders and taper to the sternum. The forechest
extends in front of the shoulders between the front legs. The loin is short, muscular and moderately drawn up. The croup
is broad and well-rounded with the tail docked. No tail is visually discernible.

Forequarters
The shoulders are well laid back, with the legs extending straight down from the body when viewed from the front. From
the side, legs are placed well under the body. Pasterns are short, thick and strong, but still flexible, showing a slight angle
when viewed from the side. Dewclaws are generally removed. Feet are small, round and tight. Nails are short, strong and
black.

Hindquarters
The hindquarters appear slightly lighter than the forequarters, but are well muscled, and in balance with the front. The
hocks are well let down and the stifles are well bent. Extreme angulation is to be penalized. From the rear, the legs
extend straight down from the hip through the hock to the feet. Dewclaws must be removed.

Coat
Pattern-The adult coat is highly characteristic and must include several distinct lengths growing naturally in a specific
pattern. The coat is short on the face, ears, front of the forelegs and on the hocks; it is medium length on the body, and
longer in the ruff, cape, jabot and culottes. The ruff begins in back of the ears and extends completely around the neck;
the cape forms an additional distinct layer extending beyond the ruff; the jabot extends across the chest and down
between the front legs. The hair down the middle of the back, starting just behind the cape and continuing over the rump,
lies flat. It is slightly shorter than the cape but longer than the hair on the sides of the body and sides of the legs. The coat
on the rear of the thighs forms culottes, which should be as long as the ruff. Lack of differentiation in coat lengths should
be heavily penalized, as it is an essential breed characteristic.
Texture-The coat is abundant, straight and slightly harsh to the touch. The softer undercoat is dense and short on the
body and is very dense around the neck, making the ruff stand out. Silky coats, body coats over three inches in length or
very short harsh coats are equally incorrect. TrimmingAs the Schipperke is a natural breed, only trimming of the whiskers
and the hair between the pads of the feet is optional. Any other trimming must not be done.

Color
The outercoat must be black. Any color other than a natural black is a disqualification. The undercoat, however, may be
slightly lighter. During the shedding period, the coat might take on a transitory reddish cast, which is to be penalized to
the degree that it detracts from the overall black appearance of the dog. Graying due to age (seven years or older) or
occasional white hairs should not be penalized.

Gait
Proper Schipperke movement is a smooth, well coordinated and graceful trot (basically double tracking at a moderate
speed), with a tendency to gradually converge toward the center of balance beneath the dog as speed increases. Front
and rear must be in perfect balance with good reach in front and drive in the rear. The topline remains level or slightly
sloping downward from the shoulders to the rump. Viewed from the front, the elbows remain close to the body. The legs
form a straight line from the shoulders through the elbows to the toes, with the feet pointing straight ahead. From the rear,
the legs form a straight line from the hip through the hocks to the pads, with the feet pointing straight ahead.

Temperament
The Schipperke is curious, interested in everything around him, and is an excellent and faithful little watchdog. He is
reserved with strangers and ready to protect his family and property if necessary. He displays a confident and
independent personality, reflecting the breed's original purpose as watchdog and hunter of vermin.

DISQUALIFICATIONS
A drop ear or ears.
Any color other than a natural black.

Approved November 13, 1990
Effective January 1, 1991

© 2002 American Kennel Club

What would the perfect Schipperke look like?
Read the Official AKC Standard.