The History Controversy
The controversy surrounding the history of schipperkes is buried in ancient war time Belgium and not much written documentation appears to have survived during the war years.
To understand the controversy please read the Belgian History pages. As early as 1882, a prominent schipperke breeder, Louis Vander Snickt wrote about the true meaning of the word, schipperke:
Also in 1882 (on 5
November), the first edition in a long series (until 1970) of the review
"Chasse et Pêche " was published. Louis Van der Snickt (1837-1911) became
its chief editor. He was the former manager of the zoological gardens of
Ghent and Dusseldorf. He had ample experience in breeding and was an
excellent observer. The articles he published and illustrated in "Chasse et
Pêche" are very instructive and pleasant to read. Several volumes would not
be enough wrote Louis Huyghebaert later, to enumerate the services rendered
to breeding by this untiring and alert spirit.
If the literal translation of "schipper" is "boatman", the true meaning of
the word "Schipperke" has a very different origin. The sheepdogs in the
Flemish areas were called "Schapershonden ". According to the area, one
pronounced it as "schaper, scheper or schieper ". This is still the case
today. The final "ke " always indicates the diminutive. That is why today
the "Schipperke " is rightly classified in the group of the sheepdogs.
As early as 1883, it is apparent that schipperkes were thought of as "working dogs" when the first classification for them at dog shows was "flemish terriers, schipperkes". Remember, in the early years, groups were not provided as they are today. There were 2 basic groups: sporting dogs and the rest were classified as utility dogs. By classifying the schip as a terrier is proof that the schipperke was considered a breed that had a useful purpose. Much early history talks about the schipperke being a great ratter, a hunting dog and a guard dog of the common people, and in all probability that included those inside and outside of the city, where he was used on the farms as an all around "working dog".
By the year 1690, the schipperke was already the favorite dog of the common people and cobblers of the St. Gery quarter of Brussels. (*Note: the boatmen are not mentioned at this time) On 4 March 1888 the Schipperke Club of Belgium was formed. It is the oldest breed club in Belgium and officially affiliated to the ‘Royal Cynological Union St-Hubert’ under number 1. (*Note: from the Belgian Schipperke Club website) It was during the formation of the schipperke club that breeders decided to change the name to "schipperke" (rather than spitzke). This was done to prevent confusion with the German Spitz, a breed that in appearance, was very similar to the schipperke. The name was given in honor of Mr. Reusens, who was a very influential breeder and often called the father of the schipperke due to his devotion to the breed. Mr. Reusens ran a freight boat line between Brussels and Antwerp, and in all actuality, he was probably the link to the schipperke being used on the canal boats.
In 1894 an unfortunate source of a world wide misunderstanding as to
the nature of the breed occurred with the publication of Rawdon Lee's "Non
Sporting Dogs". It contained a superb engraving from "Moore" of the
Schipperke, and he gave a perfect translation of the Belgian standard.
However he wrote that in Holland lots of "blond Schipperkes" were born
and that the black ones with some white hairs were killed from the
litters. He also stated that the Schipperke was used on canal boats and
that his name came from the Dutch word Schipper which means a bargeman.
The error was that Rawdon Lee confused the "white Dutch keeshond" with the Belgian Schipperke, and this misinformation has continued to follow the breed throughout the English speaking portion of the world of dog fanciers! A sad statement as to the geographic as well as linguistic ignorance of the English speaking world.
By the late 18th-early 19th century, the schipperke as a canal dog begins to immerge, and he does indeed have a rich history from this point on as a dog frequently seen on the canal boats.
Indeed, the schipperke breed today loves water and are very much at home on boats and swimming pools.
