A Schipperke (/ˈskɪpərkiː/; Dutch: [ˈsxɪpərkə]) is a small breed of dog that is believed to have originated in the 1600s in Flanders.

[4] DNA research has shown that Schipperkes have a close relationship to the Spitz family of dog breeds.

One of the breed's characteristics is a long ruff that surrounds the neck and then a strip trails down towards the rear of the dog.

Nonetheless, inactivity, lack of exercise, and over-feeding are very harmful, and can lead to joint and skeletal problems and tooth, heart, lung, or digestive conditions.

Schipperke's primary orthopedic problem tends to be luxating patella and Legg-Perthes syndrome (knee and hip disorders, respectively).

[7] The one caveat to the Schipperke's good health is MPS IIIB, a genetic mutation that occurs in at most 15% of the total breed population.

The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine has developed a test for the disease[8] and began accepting samples in April 2003.

[4] Before the name "Schipperke" was officially taken, the breed was also known colloquially as "Spits" or "Spitzke", a name commonly used to describe a small dog with pointed ears.