by Jim Kerrigan

Created on: August 30, 2009   Last Updated: August 31, 2009

Schipperke; no question, no doubt. I assume that by small dog we are talking 20 lbs or less. This effectively removes all of the working dog group from consideration. What we are left with is the Toy group, the Non-sporting group and the Terrier group. Within these groups some of the breeds are not applicable due to the 20lb. weight limit. However, the schipperke has several advantages over the dogs in the other groups.

First, endurance, the schipperkye is a ball of energy like no other ball of energy on earth. Relentless, fearless, fast and dauntless come to mind when you watch a schipperkye engage a trespasser. They just go and go through all weather and all environments. Their origin as barge guard dogs in Holland gives them an ability in water that only the best retrievers can match.

Second, alertness, it has been said that nothing gets past a schipperkye but this has to be seen to be believed. I have raised Chow-chows and rotweillers. I currently have two rotweilers five chihuahuas and a schipperkye. I take the rotties and the schipperkye (Blitzen, did i say they were fast?) camping with me on my property. One night the rotties were growling low just outside the tent. I went out to see what the issue was when I noticed that both rotties were looking down the hill into the tree line. As I looked at the tree line I could barely hear Blitzen growling as he was slowly stalking forward about 75 feet from me and the rotties. When Blitzen charged into the tree line and something large took off in front of him. Then and only then did the rotties charge down the hill to see what it was. Clearly Blitzen was aware of the presence of the larger animal while the rottweilers (Both excellent guard dogs) were unaware of its presence.

Third, focus, the skipperkye has an internal strength that has to be seen to be believed. I have seen terriers like Jack Russels and God knows they have strength but the schipperkye doesn't get distracted like the hyper terrier types do. The schipperkye engages its prey / target and then pesters it until it is driven away or everything on the planet is awake.

Fourth, pure speed, Biltzen will wrestle with the rotweilers until he tires them out or aggravates them to the point of their growling at him. But even when the rotties start to growl they are no match for the schipperkye in terms of speed and maneuvering. Blitzen simply runs circles around them. The rotties have to resort to laying on a dog pad or laying down in a corner so that Blitzen cannot approach.

If size has limits, as most apartments do on dogs, you can't really do better than a little black ball of lighting.

Learn more about this author, Jim Kerrigan.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.