THE SCHIPPERKE. 



BY E. R. SPALDING. 



OME would-be canine authorities have recently as- 

 serted that the Schipperke is a mongrel of modern 



manufacture. This is not the case by any means. 

 It is a distinct breed, of remote though unknown 

 origin. The breed is supposed to have originated 



in Belgium, though even this is not definitely known. 



Belgian fanciers, however, affirm that he has been known 



in that country for several centuries; and at least one 



writer affirms that they have been known in the Flemish 



towns for three hundred years. 



The breed is not generally popular in Belgium, though a 



great favorite with certain classes, and good specimens are 



rare and high-priced. 



Mr. John Lysen, of Antwerp, in a recent communication 



to the American Field, says of this dog: 



They are always called "Spits" in Belgium, and if you were to ask a 

 dog-dealer for a " Schipperke " dog, he wouldn't know what you were speaking 

 about. The name Schipperke was given when a few fanciers got up the club, 

 and when I asked, later on, the one who proposed it why they had not given 

 the dog its proper name, he answered that the Pomeranian was already called 

 " Spitz " in Germany, and moreover that a queer name would render the dog 

 more attractive to foreigners! 



Considering the shape of head, the mane and frill, I should think the 

 Schipperke is related to the Pomeranian, which, notwithstanding its name, is 

 principally bred in the surroundings of Cologne, Aix-la-Chapelle, and other 

 places near the Belgian frontier. Until three years ago, the black tailless 

 Spits had been the dog of the working-class of people, especially butchers, 

 shoemakers, and also not unfrequently he was seen on the canal-boats, whence 

 they gave him the name of Schipperke, but he might as well claim the name of 

 " Beenhouwerke " (little butcher) or " Schoenmakerke " (little shoemaker). 

 Until a year ago (and sometimes even now), when a wealthy man was taking a 

 walk with his Spits he was looked at with inquiring eyes by all who passed 

 him. The only ones which were allowed to live among gentlemen and ladies 



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