Temperament and care ratings
The American Kennel Club rates every breed from 1 to 5 on the traits below. They describe how the breed tends to be, not a promise about one dog.
Coat: Double coat, short.
A Schipperke suits
- A home that changes often, or apartment life (adaptability 4 of 5)
- A first-time owner who wants an eager learner (trainability 4 of 5)
- Anyone who wants a natural watchdog (protective nature 5 of 5)
Think twice if
- You share walls with neighbors: barking is 4 of 5
What the ratings mean day to day
An energy score of 3 and mental stimulation needs of 3 mean a good daily walk and some play. With barking at 4 of 5 and a watchdog score of 5, expect a vocal dog that announces visitors. Grooming at 2 of 5 means an occasional brush.
Popularity
In 2020 it ranked 114.
Breeds with a similar profile
Closest matches across all 14 trait ratings:
Smooth Fox TerrierKidsEnergyShedding
Compare: Schipperke vs Silky Terrier · Schipperke vs Smooth Fox Terrier · Schipperke vs Norwegian Elkhound
Frequently asked questions
Are Schipperkes good with kids?
The AKC rates the Schipperke 3 out of 5 for being good with young children. Supervise early meetings and teach kids how to handle a dog.
Do Schipperkes shed a lot?
Shedding is rated 3 out of 5 (moderate), and coat grooming 2 out of 5.
Are Schipperkes easy to train?
Trainability is rated 4 out of 5 and mental stimulation needs 3 out of 5.
How much energy does a Schipperke have?
Energy is rated 3 out of 5 and playfulness 4 out of 5.
Ratings: American Kennel Club breed pages, compiled February 2022 (AKC Schipperke page). 2025 ranking: AKC, published August 2026. How we check.