Question:
I found this cute little girl at my shelter and would like to get some feedback from someone with experience with the breed. I would appreciate any comments. I looked up the description on another page and it looks favorable for her....I'm just hoping someone can help with some input. I have 4 kids (11, 10, 7 and 3 in a couple of weeks) and my doxie Katie, who is 7 mos. old. Here is her link:
http://www.petfinder.org/pet.cgi?act...=0&tmpl=&stat=


Answer:
I found this site to help you make a decision:
Sounds like a tricky one with several kids. In her ad it doesn't mention anything about being kid tested so you may want to look into this.
Edit: Shoot, link didn't work. Hold on


Answer:
Energy level: apartment/daily walks
Recommended for families with:
Kids under the age of 5 years? maybe
Kids between 5 & 10 years? maybe
Kids over 10 years? yes
Please elaborate on the kid-friendly aspect of the breed, as noted above:
Varies - They must be evaluated with children, especially adult rescues,
before placing in a home with small children.
Ease of care (grooming, etc.) Very easy - no grooming other than brushing is
necessary, but does shed a lot
Housetrainability: Varies - some are difficult, but most are easy to housetrain and crate train.
Life-limiting disorders: Epilepsy, cryptorchidism (if left untreated, can cause testicular cancer)
Non-life-limiting disorders: Legg-Perthes, eye diseases, collapsing trachea.
Schipperkes are hardy, long-lived and suffer from few if any breed-specific
diseases. Epilepsy & hip/knee problems seem to be the most prevalent
concerns.
Trainability/intelligence level: Extremely intelligent/excellent in agility/can be stubborn, but many are great obedience competitors
Average length of life span: 15-20 years
Less-than-lovely breed quirks: Excitable, curious, protective, constantly on
the go, may be barky.
Average weight/size: 12-15 lbs (AKC: up to 18 lbs)
Color: In the US (AKC), the *only* acceptable color in the conformation ring
is black.
Please include information that will be beneficial in determining suitability for individual lifestyles: for example, propensity for behavioral problems, average prey drive, ease of sociability, what the breed was bred to do, etc.:
Prey drive with small animals can be high, as they were used as ratters.
Behavior problems are usually seen in the pet shop and puppy mill dogs
(hyper, yappy, nonsociable and/or fear biters). Well-bred specimens are
generally more sociable and easier to train.
Schipperkes were bred from the now extinct Belgian Shepherd, the Louvenaar,
the same ancestor of the Belgian Sheepdog, or Groenendael. Schips were bred smaller, Belgian Sheepdogs were bred larger. Therefore, some have a natural tendency to herd things. They were also used to guard canal barges in
Belgium and kill rats.
This is a rugged, protective breed in a small package. Despite their size, they are not quiet little lap dogs, but instead enjoy running around the house, looking for things to get into. )
dominant - can be
aggressive - some are other-dog aggressive, can be very protective - aggression toward familiar people, though rare, has occured in poorly bred
specimens
flighty - can be nervous around evil things such as garbage bags and vaccuum
cleaners. Will run faster than you can imagine if offleash, so never allow this breed to roam free. Many Schipperkes have been killed because they can
be oblivious to cars while running free.
affectionate - yes, though it varies with each. Some are snugglers, others are independent
stand-offish - reserved with strangers, usually receives friends with great joy
stubborn - yes, yes, and yes!
possessive - some are food possessive
eager - eager to what? Run and play? yes! eager to eat? YES! eager to have their nails trimmed? NO!!!
single-minded - If this means a one-person dog, then yes and no. Many Schipperkes have a "special" person, but love the entire family
protective - very much so! This is a dog that will need to be kept on a leash at all times if outdoors. They think nothing of taking on a big dog in defense of their master.
other (please specify) For more information about Schipperkes and
Schipperke Rescue, please visit the following web sites:
Schipperke Station
Schipperke Rescue Worldwide
Schipperke Club of America
Schipperke Junction/Eagle Rock Schipperkes


Answer:
Okay that didn't help me one bit!! I think I'm leaning toward not getting her....just because of the "barky"....hubby would not like that, it drives him crazy when Katie barks. The shelter said she has done well with all the other dogs there and that a 9 yr.old girl (with her mother) walks her for them regularly. I would obviously take my kids to meet her first, but they can always act so differently once you get them home....would hate to have to take her back. Plus, I talked to a lady there and she said that they have no set time limit on their dogs and she has the number of a rescue....so I know she will not be put down. Since I'm not sure about her, I think that's my sign that this is not the right dog at the right time. I had to talk long and hard in order to get Katie and I don't want to push my luck with the hubby.....even though he always gets over it. I think the right time will come and I will just know it. Does think make any sense? Thank you for your research!! I appreciate you taking the time to help me out!


Answer:
It should help you a bit .. From the description, Schipperkes are usually not good with kids under 10. Of course she may have a mix in her that is good with kids. The shelter should be able to tell you more.
Also please keep in mind that often dogs/puppies pick up on the energy of the kids in the house. If the kids are loud and rowdy, the dog very well might be too.


Answer:
My kids are generally laid back, we live on farm....so when they decide to get loud and rowdy it's generally outside. My youngest does very well with Katie now....she usually just wants to love on her, which Katie usually does not mind unless she's in a deep sleep. Most of the time they leave each other alone until they want to play and oddly enough if it's (most all of the time) at the same time. They have their nightly "wrestle/tag" match right before bedtime....the rest of the day they snuggle in my bed while watching a movie or outside together. They get along really well. My husband wanted to breed her (and we have a waiting list), but I'm afraid breeding her would ruin her "bond" with Emily. I made the appt. to have her spayed in a few weeks. The more I look into it, I just don't think this is the right dog at the right time.....if I didn't have kids and a husband however, she would be mine....of course if that were the case I would have MANY more dogs and probably would be turned down because of the number!! Again, I thank you for taking the time to help me out....I can be a bit impulsive when it comes to something that I want and then when I slow down and see things more realistically, I' m much more level-headed!!