Schipper-Poo

The Poodle is an elegant, athletic breed that comes in three size varieties: Standard, Miniature, and Toy. The Standard Poodle stands over fifteen inches at the shoulder and typically weighs between forty and seventy pounds, while the Miniature stands between ten and fifteen inches, and the Toy measures under ten inches. Regardless of size, all Poodles share the same proportions and breed characteristics, featuring a squarely built body with proud carriage and an air of distinction. The overall impression is one of an active, intelligent dog that moves with a light, springy gait demonstrating both grace and power. The breed's most distinctive feature is its dense, harsh, curly coat that grows continuously and requires regular professional grooming every six to eight weeks. Unlike most breeds, Poodles have a single-layer coat that does not shed in the traditional sense, making them popular among allergy sufferers, though no dog is truly hypoallergenic. The coat may be styled in various clips including the Continental, English Saddle, Sporting, or Puppy clips, each creating a distinctive silhouette. Accepted colors include black, white, blue, gray, silver, brown, cafe-au-lait, apricot, cream, and red, with all colors being solid throughout. The head is refined and moderately rounded with a slight but definite stop. The muzzle is long, straight, and fine with a chiseled appearance beneath the eyes. The eyes are very dark, oval in shape, and set far enough apart to create an alert, intelligent expression. The ears are set at or slightly below eye level and hang close to the head with long, wide leather that is heavily feathered. The neck is well-proportioned and rises from strong, smoothly muscled shoulders. The tail is set high and carried up, docked to a length sufficient for balanced appearance where this practice is permitted.

The Schipperke is a small, thickset, cobby dog with a distinctively fox-like face and an alert, confident expression. This breed typically stands between ten and thirteen inches at the shoulder and weighs between twelve and sixteen pounds, placing it firmly in the small dog category while maintaining a sturdy, well-muscled build. The body is square in profile, appearing slightly sloped from shoulders to croup due to the unique coat pattern. The head features a moderately wide skull that narrows toward the muzzle, with small oval-shaped eyes that are dark brown and convey an inquisitive, mischievous expression. The ears are small, triangular, and set high on the head, standing fully erect when the dog is alert. The Schipperke possesses a distinctive double coat that sets it apart from other small breeds. The outer coat is abundant, straight, and slightly harsh to the touch, while the undercoat is dense and soft, particularly thick around the neck. This coat creates the breed's hallmark silhouette featuring a prominent ruff that encircles the neck like a mane, a cape that extends across the shoulders and chest, and culottes on the rear legs. The breed standard recognizes only solid black as an acceptable color, though the undercoat may be slightly lighter. Some specimens may appear in cream or blonde variations, and rarely in liver-red, though these are not accepted in most show standards. The breed traditionally appears tailless, either born naturally without a tail or with the tail docked in regions where the practice remains legal. The overall impression is of a compact, energetic dog with excellent proportions and a proud, watchful bearing. The distinctive coat pattern and fox-like expression give the Schipperke an unmistakable appearance that has remained consistent throughout the breed's centuries-long history as a Belgian working dog.