560 BRITISH DOGS 



Schipperke in the exalted position he now enjoys in the affection of 

 English dog-lovers, yet the chief are undoubtedly his smart, compact 

 appearance, his vigilance, alertness, and his general companionable 

 qualities. In fact, it would be difficult indeed to point to a more 

 suitable small dog for the house, for the " Schip " has all the best 

 characteristics of the hardier Terriers, and but few of their faults. 

 The worst that can be said of the little dog is that his somewhat 

 harsh " yap-yap" is a bit distracting in a house where " nerves " are 

 plentiful. No wonder, therefore, that his progress has been rapid, 

 and that at every show of any importance in this country a classi- 

 fication for the breed is provided. Added to which there are 

 two specialist Clubs in this country, each having as its chief 

 aim the furtherance of the variety ; while Scotland also has its 

 specialist Club. The English Schipperke Club was founded in 

 1890, and the St. Hubert Schipperke Club some four years later. 

 Each club has its description of the breed, differing only in minor 

 details ; but the St. Hubert Schipperke Club's is based upon the 

 Belgium Schipperke Club's standard of 1888. 



Naturally of a robust constitution, the Schipperke scores con- 

 siderably over many of the other foriegn breeds that have found 

 favour here. The variety may truly be described as hard as nails, 

 and the writer has kept dozens of the breed, treating them in the 

 matter of exercise just as he did a kennel of mixed Terriers. 

 Indeed, he has found that in a heather and whin country (an 

 admittedly trying one for the feet of any dog) the Schipperke has 

 been quite the equal of the best of the Terriers so far as facing the 

 country was concerned. Seldom does a dog treated rationally get 

 sick or sorry ; naturally a dog required for show must lead a more 

 artificial life, with of course its attendant troubles. 



No coddling is necessary with the Schipperke, as may be 

 imagined from the dog's past Frequently, however, owners in this 

 country, in mistaken kindness, keep their dogs too much indoors, 

 feed them on too luxurious a diet, and do not afford them the 

 amount of exercise so active a dog as the Schipperke requires. 

 The result of this is skin troubles and other ailments. With the 

 earlier imported Schipperkes eczema was a very common and 

 troublesome disease (probably largely the result of inbreeding) ; 

 but this tendency to eczema has very largely disappeared. Some 

 seven or eight years ago Mrs. Heard, whose star as a breeder was 

 at that time in the ascendant, wrote : " Imported Schipperkes very 

 frequently arrive full of eczema; so that the breed must be pre- 

 disposed to the complaint (inbreeding, I suppose)." She then goes 

 on : " My strongest plea for the Schipperke is, Let him be a game and 

 strong, companionable dog, and prevent him from degenerating into 

 a lap-dog. The delightful ways and affectionate disposition of 

 the breed charm all who keep it ; but when brought up hardy, 



