Yochon vs Schipperke - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

The Schipperke is a small dog which hails from Belguim and where he is known as a Spitz.

There are however different theories regarding the Schipperke’s origin. It was however during the late 1800s, that Belgian Schipperke fanciers set a standard for the breed.

It was in 1888 that the first Schipperke was imported to the United States and a specialty club for the breed founded in 1905.

The Yochon is a “designer dog” – a cross between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Bichon Frise. They are not a purebred and are not recognized by purebred dog clubs such as the American Kennel Club (AKC). They are small, playful, families dogs. Most of them bear the best characteristics of each of their founding breeds, but because they are crossbreeds and most will be multi-generational cross breeds, there are no two dogs alike. Though not recognized by the traditional purebred clubs they are recognized by several hybrid canine clubs. The cross was developed in the United States.

This little Belgian dog stands at between 25 and 33cm in height and weighs between 3 and 9kg.

The double coat of the dog is fairly short, but thick and it comes in a range of colors, but always solid, from chocolate to apricot to black.

A typical characteristic of his is the longer-haired ruff around his neck. He also has this longer hair around the hind legs. He has sharp, erect ears and the tail is a natural bobtail or long. Most people choose to have the tail docked.

Temperament:

These little dogs are no pushover. He is stubborn, strong-willed and confident. They are lively, intelligent, curious and energetic and will require plenty of exercise.

Small though he is, he will certainly need training and socialization, otherwise he just goes his own way. Training him will ensure he is obedient and not so strong-willed. They get on well with children, but they tend to be aggressive with other dogs that they haven’t grown up with.

Bring him up the right way and he makes a splendid pet.

Yochons go by many different names but in general they are toy dogs, weighing in at under 20 pounds, most weighing 6-12 pounds. They have black noses, long tails, and round eyes. Their muzzles are blunt and their skulls are also round. They have fluffy, full coats that can range from tan, to brown to black. They can also be white or cream. Their ears can be either hanging or erect.

With his bright little face, the Schipperke dog is a surprising dog, being fearless, confident, protective and devoted – everything people looking for in an excellent pet want.

His small size makes him able to slot into life in the city or the countryside. He is also looked upon as low maintenance. Add to this the fact that he is intelligent too. He is a feisty dog, and that’s why we say he is surprising because while he can be your sweet companion dog, he can turn into a robust, feisty, daring little panther. He’s got everything going for him to make you a splendid pet.

1 Children friendliness -yes very good but watch careful that children do not hurt them as they are so small and fragile. 2.Special talents – Loves families and playing 3.Adaptability – adapts well to apartments can play indoors 4.Learning ability – intelligent and independent

The Schipperke has no real health problems that he specifically gets, and he can live to be 13 years or older.

Over-feeding, bad food choices and lack of exercise are going to shorten the lifespan of this dog. Some dog illnesses to be aware of with the Schipperke is cancer, bloat, epilepsy, dental problems and luxating patella.

Luxating Patella:

This is a condition where the knee cap of the dog moves out of its natural position. The patella moving out of the normal groove of the thigh bone can be because of genetic or traumatic reasons.

The symptoms of luxating patella include limping, skipping along as well as an abnormal sitting posture. Arthritis can also set in. Strangely, many small dogs live all their lives with luxating patella and they live like that free of pain. However for many other dogs it can mean pain and it can require surgery.

Both founding breeds are vulnerable to a few medical conditions. These include: • Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease – insufficient blood to hind legs, thigh bones causing lameness. • Patellar Luxation – slipped kneecaps can also cause lameness. • Dental Issues – keep teeth brushed and cleaned. • Hypothyroidism – can be treated with medication. • Reverse Sneezing • Allergies • Collapsed Trachea due to small size – be careful with them at all times.

Diet:

Dry kibble is always a good choice for dogs as its helps to keep the dog’s teeth clean. You want to make sure you buy one of the best quality foods, full of minerals and vitamins as opposed to fillers, colorants and preservatives. The food you give your Schipperke can have a huge impact on his health.

Your puppy will require 4 meals a day but later this becomes 2 bowls of food. To add some variety to your pet’s diet, feed him some home made food occasionally which can be added to his dry kibble twice a week.

Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots are a healthy choice for your Schipperke.

Try and include some raw meat into the diet as this can help in fighting off horrible skin diseases. Make sure he has constant access to fresh, cool water.

General care:

Ensure regular vet checks for your dog, particularly when he is showing signs of being sick.

Check your pet for ticks and fleas. Parasites can be very bad for your pet’s health. Your dog will need all his vaccines to stave off deadly canine illnesses.

Brush your Schipperke twice a week to make sure you get rid of loose hairs. A Schipperke doesn’t shed a lot.

Keep his nails trimmed. If you are unsure on how to do this, professional groomers can do this for you.

Ears and eyes should also be checked.

He’s an energetic little dog so make sure that he gets lot of excellent forms of exercise from walking to hikes to ball games, frisbee – you name it, you won’t tire him out easily.

3.Feeding the puppy – do not overfeed. Use a high quality puppy toy breed kibble. Feed 3-4 X day. 2.Feeding the adult – do not overfeed. Use a high quality adult toy breed kibble. Feed at least twice a day. 3.Points for Good Health hearty/general good health and stamina 4. Games and Exercises does not need a lot of exercise . They enjoy obedience and agility trials.