Schipperke

Small cobby active dog, with sharp foxy expression.

Intensely lively and alert.

Amenable, intelligent and faithful.

Skull not round, but fairly broad, flat, with little stop. Muzzle moderate in length, fine but not weak, well filled under eyes. Nose black and small.

Dark brown, more oval than round, not full; bright, most expressive.

Moderate length, not too broad at base, tapering to a point. Carried stiffly erect and strong enough not to be bent otherwise than lengthways.

Jaws strong, with perfect regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Strong and full, rather short, set broad on shoulders, slightly arched.

Shoulders muscular and sloping. Legs perfectly straight, well under the body, bone in proportion to the body.

Chest broad and deep in brisket. Back short, straight and strong. Loins powerful, well drawn up from brisket.

Lighter compared with forequarters but with muscular and well-developed thighs and well rounded rump. Legs strong, muscular, hocks well let down.

Small, cat-like, and standing well on the toes.

Previously customarily docked. May be born tailless or with partial length of full tail.

Docked: Very short

Naturally tailless: No discernible tail.

Undocked: Full length tail tightly curled, carried over the back, well covered with hair.

Fully coated partial length tail permissible but not desirable.

Short, brisk stride, moving true fore and aft.

Abundant, dense and harsh; smooth on head, ears and legs; lying close on back and side; erect and thick round neck, forming a mane and frill; with good culottes on the back of thighs.

Usually black but other whole colours permissible.

Weight: about 5.5-7.5 kgs (12-16 lbs)

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.