SCHIPPERKE STRUCTURE
The Schipperke is small, thickset, and cobby. The dog is square in profile.
NOTICE THAT THE SQUARE DOG FILLS THE SQUARE BOX
The Schipperke is small, thickset, and cobby. The dog is square in profile.
NOTICE THAT THE SQUARE DOG FILLS THE SQUARE BOX
NOTICE THAT THE BODY IS SQUARE
NOTICE THE HEIGHT RATIO...
THE TOPLINE TO THE UNDERLINE IS THE SAME AS THE UNDERLINE TO THE FEET
HERE'S WHAT HAPPENS TO THE DOG WHEN THE DOG IS TOO LONG IN BACK
NOTICE THE HEIGHT RATIO...
THE TOPLINE TO THE UNDERLINE IS THE SAME AS THE UNDERLINE TO THE FEET
HERE'S WHAT HAPPENS TO THE DOG WHEN THE DOG IS TOO LONG IN BACK
SAME SQUARE, BUT THE DOG NO LONGER FITS INSIDE
HERE IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE DOG IS TOO SHORT IN BACK
HERE IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE DOG IS TOO SHORT IN BACK
NOTICE THAT THIS DOG DOESN'T FILL THE SQUARE, EITHER.
LOOK WHAT HAPPENS TO THE HEIGHT RATIO.
BALANCE IS THE KEY WORD HERE...
THE DOG THAT IS TOO SHORT IN BACK WILL NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY ANGULATION FOR GOOD REACH AND DRIVE.
HERE'S A DOG THAT'S TOO HIGH ON LEG
LOOK WHAT HAPPENS TO THE HEIGHT RATIO.
BALANCE IS THE KEY WORD HERE...
THE DOG THAT IS TOO SHORT IN BACK WILL NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY ANGULATION FOR GOOD REACH AND DRIVE.
HERE'S A DOG THAT'S TOO HIGH ON LEG
THIS DOG DOESN'T FIT THE SQUARE EITHER.
LOOK AT THE HEIGHT RATIO.
HERE'S A DOG THAT'S TOO SHORT ON LEG
LOOK AT THE HEIGHT RATIO.
HERE'S A DOG THAT'S TOO SHORT ON LEG
ANGULATION
F THE DOG HAS GOOD FRONT ANGULATION...
THE HEAD AND EARS WILL SIT IN FRONT OF THE LINE.
IF THE DOG IS STRAIGHT IN THE SHOULDER, THE LINE WILL RUN THROUGH THE DOGS HEAD.
IF THE DOG HAS GOOD REAR ANGULATION...
THE REAR LINE WILL DROP FROM
THE BUTTOCKS TO THE PADS OF THE FEET.
THE REAR LINE ON THIS PICTURE IS NOT IN THE PROPER PLACE.
SHOULDER LAYBACK
THE HEAD AND EARS WILL SIT IN FRONT OF THE LINE.
IF THE DOG IS STRAIGHT IN THE SHOULDER, THE LINE WILL RUN THROUGH THE DOGS HEAD.
IF THE DOG HAS GOOD REAR ANGULATION...
THE REAR LINE WILL DROP FROM
THE BUTTOCKS TO THE PADS OF THE FEET.
THE REAR LINE ON THIS PICTURE IS NOT IN THE PROPER PLACE.
SHOULDER LAYBACK
A WELL LAID BACK SHOULDER WILL FORM A TRIANGLE.
THE DISTANCE FROM THE WITHERS TO THE POINT OF THE SHOULDER SHOULD BE APPROXIMATELY THE SAME AS THE DISTANCE FROM THE SHOULDER TO THE ELBOW.
HERE ARE SMALLER PICTURES FOR COMPARISON
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Schipperke Gait
The Schipperke is a double tracking breed. The Standard calls for them to move with good reach and drive.
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GORGEOUS SIDE GAIT!
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GORGEOUS SIDE GAIT!
Schipperke Movement
Proper Schipperke movement is a smooth, well coordinated and graceful trot (basically double tracking at a moderate speed), with a tendency to gradually converge toward the center of balance beneath the dog as speed increases. Front and rear must be in perfect balance with good reach in front and drive in the rear.
(From the AKC STANDARD)
Proper Side Gait Showing Good Reach And Drive
NOTE THE NICE EXTENSION FRONT AND REAR
NOTE THE TOPLINE REMAINS LEVEL AND DOESN'T SAG OR BREAK
NOTE THE POSITION OF THE OTHER 2 PAWS
NOTE THAT THE DOGS FEET BARELY CLEAR THE GROUND
NOTE THE TOPLINE REMAINS LEVEL AND DOESN'T SAG OR BREAK
NOTE THE POSITION OF THE OTHER 2 PAWS
NOTE THAT THE DOGS FEET BARELY CLEAR THE GROUND
Side Gait From the Illustrated Guide to the Standard
Lacking Reach And Drive
NOTE THE POSITION OF THE TWO "EXTENDED LEGS"...THIS DOGS LACKS BOTH REACH AND DRIVE. IF THE DOG HAD GOOD REACH, THE EXTENDED FRONT LEG WOULD REACH TO THE END OF THE DOG'S NOSE...THE REAR LEG WOULD EXTEND BEHIND THE DOG.NOTE THE AMOUNT OF SPACE BETWEEN THE OTHER 2 PAWS
WHILE THIS DOG MIGHT MOVE "BALANCED" AT BOTH ENDS, HE WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO DO THE JOB HE WAS BRED TO DO...DUE TO THE LACK OF REACH AND DRIVE, HE WOULD TIRE EASILY.
WHILE THIS DOG MIGHT MOVE "BALANCED" AT BOTH ENDS, HE WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO DO THE JOB HE WAS BRED TO DO...DUE TO THE LACK OF REACH AND DRIVE, HE WOULD TIRE EASILY.
Schipperke Gait Coming
NOTE THAT ALL LEGS ARE MOVING IN THE SAME DIRECTION
IDEAL GAIT COMING OR GOING...ALL LEGS AND FEET SHOULD BE TRACKING IN THE SAME DIRECTION
THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF DOUBLE TRACKING
NOTE THE EQUAL DISTANCE BETWEEN THE FRONT AND REAR LEGS AND FEET
NOTE THERE IS NO SWINGING OF THE LEGS
NOTE THAT THE DOGS FEET BARELY CLEAR THE GROUND
IDEAL GAIT COMING OR GOING...ALL LEGS AND FEET SHOULD BE TRACKING IN THE SAME DIRECTION
THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF DOUBLE TRACKING
NOTE THE EQUAL DISTANCE BETWEEN THE FRONT AND REAR LEGS AND FEET
NOTE THERE IS NO SWINGING OF THE LEGS
NOTE THAT THE DOGS FEET BARELY CLEAR THE GROUND
Schipperke Gait Going
Note that when the dog is coming or going you only see one set of legs.
This is considered "clean" gait and while hard to achieve, is desirable.
This is considered "clean" gait and while hard to achieve, is desirable.
Moving correctly in front and too narrow behind
While this type of movement is often seen in the ring, it is not correct.
For a time, this type of movement was seen so often and was so prevalent that it was considered by many people to be correct for the schipperke.
When the schipperke moves correctly, all four legs reach forward and extend rearward at equal distances. The front paw flexes (thus the need for a slight bend to the pastern) on the follow through under the body and the hind foot slips neatly under it to occupy the spot vacated by the front foot.
For the schipperke to move with good reach and drive, it is necessary for the front to sit well underneath the body as described by the standard.
For a time, this type of movement was seen so often and was so prevalent that it was considered by many people to be correct for the schipperke.
When the schipperke moves correctly, all four legs reach forward and extend rearward at equal distances. The front paw flexes (thus the need for a slight bend to the pastern) on the follow through under the body and the hind foot slips neatly under it to occupy the spot vacated by the front foot.
For the schipperke to move with good reach and drive, it is necessary for the front to sit well underneath the body as described by the standard.