668 THE AMERICAN BOOK OF THE DOG. 



Another eminent Belgian fancier of this breed writes: 



The Schipperke is a tough, hardy, intelligent, attractive, and amusing little 

 dog. He is useful about the house or barn as a vermin exterminator, is fond 

 of attention, takes readily to amusing tricks, and is easily taught. He is 

 extremely active, has a gay carriage, his temper is admirable, and no dog is 

 more fond of children than he. 



This little dog, whom we meet with so often on our canal-boats as a faithful 

 guard, is distinguished by a character denoting great intelligence. On account 

 of his attachment for master or mistress, his vigilance and obedience, his good 

 temper toward children, his graceful and elegant gait and form, as well as his 

 perfect cleanliness, he has become the favorite house-dog. He is also a real 

 demon for rats, mice, etc., which he pursues with great eagerness. 



The head approaches the type of the fox. The skull is wide and vaulted, 

 diminishing before the eyes, and fining down toward the tip of the nose, 

 which is small and black. The ears are about two and one-half inches long, 

 are pricked and triangular in shape; the eyes are lively, dark -brown in color, 

 and are placed rather forward than sidewise somewhat almond-shaped, but 

 become more round when the dog is excited. The body is from ten to fourteen 

 inches long, from rear to front of shoulder, and weight of grown males from 

 ten to fifteen pounds. The animal stands well on his legs, is neither very 

 stocky nor is he slim, is heavier in front than behind, and has a bold and upright 

 carriage. The back is straight from shoulder to hip, and ends somewhat like 

 the rounded hind quarter of the guinea-pig. 



A writer in a recent number of the Dog Owners' Annual 

 has this to say of the breed : 



Among a few Belgian breeders there is some talk of more than one type 

 of Schipperke. They enumerate the Antwerp and Louvain types and one 

 between. It is true that differences do exist. Some there are that have coarse 

 Terrier heads, leathery ears very wide at the base, and firmly set up bodies; 

 these always look to me to require what they unmistakably once possessed a 

 tail. This type has a very short coat and seldom any ruff; they are also rather 

 large. 



Then there is a little sort with full eyes, head inclined to apple-shape, 

 hardly any muzzle, ears large, and at sides of head plenty of coat, not very 

 harsh, plenty of ruff and fringe on thighs. A type between this is preferred, 

 and as most of my best specimens have come from Antwerp, I am inclined to 

 think that this town deserves to give its name to the type. The dog that is now 

 accepted as representative weighs about ten pounds, is a glossy black, stands up 

 well on his pins with an air of vivacious alertness; he looks stoutly built in 

 front and smaller behind, and his back ends like the rounded hind quarter of a 

 guinea-pig. His head is foxy, like all the wild-dog type; ears small, narrow, 

 pricked, and carried upright in parallel lines on the top of the head, not at 

 the sides. Eyes small and dark, and showing no white. Neck and shoulders 

 look heavy, partly owing to the thick ruff; legs straight and smooth; feet cat- 

 like; coat very harsh, about an inch long on the back, very dense, and weather- 



