Brass Schipperke Collars
The Schipperke can lay claim to the first specialty show for dogs, in that according to the St.Crispijn chronicles in 1609 the shoemakers would parade with their black, dock-tailed dogs in the big market of Brussels. The Brussel's Shoemaker's Guild would incorporate "beauty contests" for their dogs, or more specifically, the beautifully decorated copper collars that were made for their dogs. The collar with the most elaborate lock and decorative design would win first place. In fact some of these collars are still on display in a Brussel's museum today.
In those days, says Chasse et Pêche (Hunting and Fishing),"we could see the shoe maker go out on Sunday with or without his wife and children, but never without his schipper. He could neglect to wax his own boots, but never, ever, would he neglect to polish his dog's collar".
