The Finer Points-The Importance of Breed Type: The Schipperke

​The Importance of Breed Type
The term "Breed" is defined as, "a group of usually domesticated animals or plants with identifiable characteristics that distinguish them from other members of their species; especially a group that's characteristics are preserved by controlled mating"(Websters Dictionary) 

"Breed Type" as we know in the dog fancy is the basic form of a breed. The entire dog should be taken into consideration when one is determining what proper type is. So, the structure, temperament, and movement.  But, some breeds have a "Hallmark" that separates them from similar breed families. Some breeds are Hallmarked by the head(Bull Terrier) while some are defined by movement(Manchester Terrier.) So, when judging a dog be it in the whelping box or in the show ring this Hallmark of each breed is a vital factor in deciding weather a dog has good or bad breed type. It is to be noted that every breed has its own distinct type that separates it from other breeds. A Breeder or Judge's selection should always put type first because without breed type a breed loses its identity 

The Hallmarks of the Schipperke are; a thickset, Cobby, Wedge head, Square in profile, double tracking gait, with a unique coat pattern that create the sloping top-line when viewed from the side. (or a sloping top-line is also acceptable) The coat pattern consists of  the ruff, cape, jabot and culottes.
(AKC Schipperke Standard; Approved November 13, 1990 Effective January 1, 1991)

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Each breed has it's own unique story of how it came about to be in front of us today. Humans and Canines have consisted for thousands of years and it is no coincidence that we have bred dogs to be able to hunt, herd, guard, track, flush, retrieve, and do many other things along side us. Early on, humans understood that you could get predictable traits, size, and ability from an offspring when selecting parents that also exhibited these traits. 

​The purpose of each breed determines the size, look, movement, and temperament of each individual breed or breed family. Form and function must never be present without the other since both are key in a dog being able to perform it's purpose.
​               "'Breed for type, cull for soundness,' emphasizes the importance of keeping                form and function in mind when you select for characteristics that define                    breed type. Yet, no subject causes more angst among dog people than the                       question of what is more important — type or soundness?"-Dale Hunsburger

What is the Schipperke's Purpose? This can be found in our Standard and other Parent Club resources.
"The Schipperke is a faithful little watch dog, active, mischievous, impudent and very alert. The breed originated in the Flemish provinces of Belgium, and from the very beginning he served as a companion and guard dog for the tradesmen and barge captains of the provinces. He acquired his name because he was known primarily for his services on the barges and canal boats. (Hunting Vermin on the boats)" -SCA Breed History

So, how does the Schipperke's Type make them unique and unmistakable to any other breed and how does that play into their original purpose of being a companion, guard dog, and killer of vermin? First we need to dive into understanding what a Schipperke's type is. 

Understanding Breed Type
Breed standards are based on breed type.To understand the type of a specific breed, ask yourself:

Where was this breed developed?
Belgium; Flemish 

What health issues does this breed have?
MPSIIB, Epilepsy or other related illnesses, Hyper/Hypo-thyroidism, Slipped knees, Von Willebrand Disease Type I, hereditary cataracts,Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Cardiac, and hip joint related illness.

What was the breed’s purpose?
"The breed originated in the Flemish provinces of Belgium, and from the very beginning he served as a companion and guard dog for the tradesmen and barge captains of the provinces. He acquired his name because he was known primarily for his services on the barges and canal boats." -SCA Website
So, Companion Ratting, watchdog aka mini alarm system.

Is that purpose the same today?
Today schipperkes are able to participate in sports such as Barn-hunt. Which is a sport designed to test a dog's abilities in 'Hunting' Rats. Schipperkes are also able to complete their job as watch dogs on the daily by being the household alarm system. Schipperkes today excel at many sports such as; Agility Obedience, FastCAT, Scentwork, and much more. 

What kind of personality, body structure, and coat did it take to do this job?
"The Schipperke is very distinctive, resembling no other breed closely. It is a small thickset, cobby, square in profile, having a distinctive coat which includes an outstanding ruff, cape and culottes. All of these form the unique silhouette. One of the hardiest of all small dogs, is equally at home in the country or in a small city apartment. In spite of its small stature, he is by no means considered a “toy” breed. While usually an excellent ratter, the Schip is not a powerful fighter, although he can hold his own with most dogs of his weight and will tackle anything in defense of his household or of his master. When it comes to guarding his family, home or possessions, he has no idea of the limitations of his size. Essentially the Schip is a guard dog, completely devoted to the family, and by nature, suspicious of all strangers." -SCA Website
        Diving Deeper into temperament...
"...They are lively, busy little dogs, continually occupied with what is going on around them, careful of things given them to guard, very kind to children, always curious to know what is going on behind closed doors or about any object that has been moved. The Schipperke is usually a longlived dog for a small breed. It is not rare for them to live to be fifteen or sixteen years of age and older..."- SCA Webiste

What breeds went into developing this breed?
Somewhat unknown- Genetics say they are very relate to the Pug, Pom, and Papillion. 

How do you continue to breed away from health issues but toward type?
Though educated planning; line breeding of healthy lines that posses proper breed type. Also, using modern day health testing as a guide to choosing breeding pairs. As well as,  carefully planned out crosses to phenotypical dogs to keep type but, allowing for genetic diversity.

What are the key differences of breeds similar to your breed?
Coat Pattern, Silhouette, and tenacity. Also, Look at the above underlined above.

Selecting for Traits Is a Trade-off
Breeders who have a consistent type in their breeding program are able to produce a picture of the type, as a breeder, they want to produce. Desired traits in a breed vary from breed to breed. For the Schipperke looking at key points in the standard would be where you would see what is desirable. Breeding for traits can be a double edged sword...while we want to keep traits and emphasis what makes the breed unique we do not want to fall into hyper-types and extreme versions of a trait. Example being excessive coat where you loose coat pattern or fitting into a square but loosing your angles in front and rear. The Standard is set in writing for breeders to use as a road map and it is up to breeders to put out what's in the ring for judges to judge. 

From the Schipperke Club Of America Breeder's Education Powerpoint; Notice the Coat Pattern

Size and proportions are important selection priorities in some breeds and not so important in others. Other traits might include:
Temperament and intelligence
Health, longevity, soundness, and hardiness
Head, eye, and expression
Color, coat texture, and coat quality
Tail set and carriage
Legs and feet
Fronts and rears
Reproductive ability
These are not in order of importance, however temperament and health should be high on every breeder’s list.
In summary, if you understand your breed standard, the standards of similar breeds, the history behind your breed, and its past and present function, you’ll have a better chance of having puppies that exhibit proper breed type.
These Are NOT the Same Breed…
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The Generic Dog
A dog which lacks fundamentals of breed type is generally referred to as a generic dog. In other words, a generic dog has no particular specific features that distinguishes it from any other breed or breeds. When studying a breed or breeds, it is therefore essential that a breeds' particular unique characteristics are clearly understood. When a dog who is unable to be recognized by a trained eye for it's breed you would conclude this dog is lacking in breed type and in turn be a Generic dog or an ambiguous representation of said breed.

From left to right: Schipperke, Buhund, Finish Spitz

Other breeds have different unique characteristics. How can one fail to admire the graceful series of curves that describes a Whippet? Who can mistake the long flowing coat of the Maltese? It is also the coat which separates breeds like the Chihuahua Smooth Coat from the Chihuahua Long Coat, the Fox Terrier (Smooth) from the Fox Terrier (Wire), and the four varieties of Belgium Shepherds. With breeds that come in different sizes like Poodles and Dachshunds, it is size which becomes an integral part of their particular breed type. In Poodles size means height and with Dachshunds size means weight. With most other breeds, correct breed type is a very definite combination of features like body proportions, bone structure, temperament, carriage, coat, colour and size as defined by the Breed Standards.



Schipperke Standard from 1935

Sources
https://www.schipperkeclub-usa.org/breeder-edu/
AKC Schipperke Breed Standard
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeding/breed-type-defines-the-breed/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CBreed%20type%E2%80%9D%20refers%20to%20basic,has%20its%20own%20distinct%20type.
https://janedogs.com/breed-type/
​1935 Schipperke Standard- Dawn Banaister (Kurakuma Schipperkes)