From the Stockkeeper magazine, published in England in the late
1880s – The Belgian Club have, after long and earnest consideration, settled upon the standard of points of the breed
they have undertaken to look after. Knowing that a great deal of interest is taken in these charming little dogs in this country,
where a good many fair specimens have been imported, we publish a translation of the standard in extenso –
Here is the ORIGINAL STANDARD SET FOR THE BREED (as set in Belgium
June 19, 1888 in Bruxelles):
General Character: This little dog, a faithful guard, whom we
meet with so often on our canal boats, is distinquished by a character denoting great intelligence. On account of his attachment,
his vigilance, and obedience, his good temper with children, his graceful and elegant gait and form, as well as his perfect
cleanliness, he has become the favourite housedog. He has a particular liking for horses. For this reason he was formerly
the watchdog on the omnibus, coaches and carts. He sits up proudly, attentive, and angry in the front and on the highest part
of the vehicle. There he is at home and contented, more so than in any other place. He is, besides, a real demon for rats,
mice, etc, which he pursues with eagerness.
The HEAD approaches in type that of the fox, the skull is pretty
wide and vaulted, diminishing before the eyes and fining down towards the tip of the nose, which is small. The interior of
the mouth (the roof) is black.
The EARS , about 2 ½ inches long (6 centimetres) are pricked and
of triangular shape and carried straight forward.
The EYES are very lively and of a brownish colour. They are placed
rather forward than sideward. When the dog is excited, his eyes, although almond shaped, become more or less round.
The length of the body corresponds with his size (from 30 to 40
centimeters) 12 to 14 inches at the shoulder. The body is well developed in front and diminishes towards the back. The minimun
weight is 8 lb (4 kilos) and varies according to size. This little animal stands well on his legs and has a bold and upright
head. The back is straight and the body supple, and the dog has no tail.
Certain isolated cases give rise to the belieft that the true
bred Schipperke is born without tail, an anomaly which no doubt is an hereditary transmission caused by the docking of that
appendage.
The COAT is quite black and rather long than smooth well furnished,
resisting to the touch and forming a frill round the neck. It becomes shorter towards the back, leaving, however, longer hair
on the hindquarters forming a little fringe (culotte). The hair on the head, ears and forelegs is short,; that of the hind-legs
is only short from the knee joints to the feet. The length from the knee joints to the feet leaves his thighs pretty high,
and generally very muscular.
The CHEST is pretty wide, and well furnished with coat. The forelegs
are straight, the hocks are very little bent forward, the feet are small, round, and the nails strong, and black.
The female is generally built on lighter and finer lines than
the male.
Both the male and the female reach their full development only
in the course of the second year.
At present a great number of very small dogs with smooth and shining
coats are to be seen, which, on account of their coat, are taken for strain of the Schipperke. These dogs of Belgian origin
have been crossed with the English black-and-tan Toy Terrier, and thus have been obtained very pretty, lively little fellows,
which have more or less inherited the character of the canal boat dog, and which, on account of their diminitive size, have
been named "Spitz" and become fashionable favourite ladies’ pet dogs.
Here is the standard as written in French
-1888-Premier Standard de la race - Eerste rasstandaard
Aptitudes et apparence générale : Excellent et fidèle petit chien de garde, ne faisant pas connaissance avec des étrangers.
Remuant, agile et infatigable, continuellement occupe de ce qui se passe autour de lui, très mordant devant les objets dont
la garde lui est confiée, très doux pour les enfants, connaît les usages de la maison, toujours curieux de savoir ce qui se
passe derrière une porte ou un objet que I'on va déplacer, trahissant ses impressions par sa voix criarde et sa crinière hérissée.
Recherche la compagnie des chevaux, fait la chasse aux rongeurs, aux taupes et autres vermines. Couleur : Toute noire zain. Nez:
Petit. Tete : Front assez large diminuant vers
les yeux, vu de profil il est arrondi ; museau effile, pas trop allonge ; cassure peu forte. OEil: Brun fonce, petit, plus ovale que rond, ni rentre, ni proéminent, vif et percent. Oreilles : bien droites, petites, triangulaires, haut placées, lobes assez forts
pour qu'ils ne puissent plier autrement qu'en longueur ; excessivement mobiles, se rapprochent lorsqu'elles sont dressées. Dents : Très blanches, fortes et effilées, s'adaptant parfaitement. Cou : Fort, porte droit. Epaules
: Obliques et mobiles. Poitrine : Large sur le devant, large derrière les épaules et profonde* ; ventre assez relevé. Dos : Droit et horizontal, mais souple. Rein : Large et râblé. Pattes
: ** Parfaitement droites et bien en dessous du corps, fines d'ossature. Pieds : Petits, ronds et serres ; les ongles droits, forts et courts (non crochus). Cuisses : Tres larges, longues, bien musclées, les jarrets près de terre. Corps : Court et trapu. Queue
: Absente. Poil: Abondant et resistant au toucher. Ras sur la tête,
court sur les oreilles, le devant des pattes et jarrets, assez court sur le corps, mais allonge autour du cou a commencer
du bord extérieur des oreilles ou il forme crinière, sur la poitrine ou il forme jabot, se proloSchipperke
ORIGINAL HAND COLOURED PRINT CIRCA 1906 |
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