Let's start with conditioning first as this seems to be the most misunderstood by newcomers to the breed. Conditioning the dog consists of many things...the schipperke must be in good physical and mental condition to be a successful show dog.
Good conditioning begins on the inside. Your schipperke should be fed a high quality diet to promote good coat growth and muscle tone. He should be on a regular deworming program. We recommend every 3 months for deworming and our schips are fed Nutro Max and have been on Nutro for many, many years. Read the article "What's Really in the Dog Food"! We supplement the Nutro with raw chicken wings and fresh fruit and veggies a couple of times a week. For the overall health of our dogs, we practice the new vaccine protocol, and with this new protocol we find that our schipperkes are much healthier and alert, and our bitches come into season on a regular basis, whelp larger litters and raise healthy puppies. (Read the Vaccine Controversy)
Every schipperke here at Shalako gets a cool water bath at least every 2 weeks, and those we are currently showing are bathed weekly. They are also wet daily with cool water and brushed with a pin brush and allowed to air dry. We rarely ever use a heat dryer on them. We rarely have to work to "grow" coat on our schips. The amount of coat a schip has is influenced by genes, however good "conditioning" will often times bring out the best those genes have to offer. A thin dog will rarely ever have good coat, so if you are trying to grow coat, fatten the dog first. Clean hair grows...dirty hair doesn't! While our kennel is air-conditioned, we rarely ever use it. We rarely run the heat, either. Schipperkes are hardy and will acclimate to the weather if given a chance. Most people think it is the heat, or lack of it which causes the dog to blow or grow coat. It is actually the exposure to light. If you are trying to grow coat, limit the schips exposure to artificial light!
Mental conditioning begins with training and proper socialization. While old dogs can learn new tricks, it is much easier to start when they are young! Go to training classes as often as you can. Socialize the dog with people, other dogs, new places and new experiences. Haul him to dog shows before you actually start showing him and take him in the building and have a good time with him! Keep it fun for the dog. Sit by the ring with your cookies and let him get used to the clapping and the crowds. Practice your training at home on mats (they can be purchased at Home Depot), grass, concrete, and dirt. Practice in several different areas! The dog will perform best when he is sure of what to do and used to having to perform in many different places.
Grooming your schipperke for show will depend on the type of coat your schip carries. For the correct coat, which has the proper undercoat, you won't require much more than a spray bottle of water and a good pin brush. Mist the dog with cold water about 5-10 minutes before he goes in the ring, and brush dry.
If your schipperke doesn't have a real plush coat, there are many grooming products made to "enhance" the coat and make it appear thicker and fuller. Try different products until you find what works best for your schip and his coat type. Some favorites of mine are made by #1 All Systems and Chris Christensen and Plush Puppy.
If your schipperke has a big, thick coat, it will probably require a little shaping and thinning. My favorite product for that is the mat breaker...which is sold at dog shows, or can be ordered on line at www.petedge.com
Good conditioning begins on the inside. Your schipperke should be fed a high quality diet to promote good coat growth and muscle tone. He should be on a regular deworming program. We recommend every 3 months for deworming and our schips are fed Nutro Max and have been on Nutro for many, many years. Read the article "What's Really in the Dog Food"! We supplement the Nutro with raw chicken wings and fresh fruit and veggies a couple of times a week. For the overall health of our dogs, we practice the new vaccine protocol, and with this new protocol we find that our schipperkes are much healthier and alert, and our bitches come into season on a regular basis, whelp larger litters and raise healthy puppies. (Read the Vaccine Controversy)
Every schipperke here at Shalako gets a cool water bath at least every 2 weeks, and those we are currently showing are bathed weekly. They are also wet daily with cool water and brushed with a pin brush and allowed to air dry. We rarely ever use a heat dryer on them. We rarely have to work to "grow" coat on our schips. The amount of coat a schip has is influenced by genes, however good "conditioning" will often times bring out the best those genes have to offer. A thin dog will rarely ever have good coat, so if you are trying to grow coat, fatten the dog first. Clean hair grows...dirty hair doesn't! While our kennel is air-conditioned, we rarely ever use it. We rarely run the heat, either. Schipperkes are hardy and will acclimate to the weather if given a chance. Most people think it is the heat, or lack of it which causes the dog to blow or grow coat. It is actually the exposure to light. If you are trying to grow coat, limit the schips exposure to artificial light!
Mental conditioning begins with training and proper socialization. While old dogs can learn new tricks, it is much easier to start when they are young! Go to training classes as often as you can. Socialize the dog with people, other dogs, new places and new experiences. Haul him to dog shows before you actually start showing him and take him in the building and have a good time with him! Keep it fun for the dog. Sit by the ring with your cookies and let him get used to the clapping and the crowds. Practice your training at home on mats (they can be purchased at Home Depot), grass, concrete, and dirt. Practice in several different areas! The dog will perform best when he is sure of what to do and used to having to perform in many different places.
Grooming your schipperke for show will depend on the type of coat your schip carries. For the correct coat, which has the proper undercoat, you won't require much more than a spray bottle of water and a good pin brush. Mist the dog with cold water about 5-10 minutes before he goes in the ring, and brush dry.
If your schipperke doesn't have a real plush coat, there are many grooming products made to "enhance" the coat and make it appear thicker and fuller. Try different products until you find what works best for your schip and his coat type. Some favorites of mine are made by #1 All Systems and Chris Christensen and Plush Puppy.
If your schipperke has a big, thick coat, it will probably require a little shaping and thinning. My favorite product for that is the mat breaker...which is sold at dog shows, or can be ordered on line at www.petedge.com
