Where can I find a Schipperke?

The first thing to remember, if you want to find a good dog, the more breeders you talk to, the better chance you have of finding and determining which are the best breeders.

You need  to decide what kind of Schipperke you are looking for.  

If you are interested in getting a pet, you must decide if you want a puppy, an older dog, or if it doesn't matter.   If you want a puppy you should try and find a reputable breeder in your area.   It can be hard to distinguish sometimes between who is reputable, and who is not.    Looking in newspapers is only rarely helpful, most reputable breeders advertise in magazines like "Dog World".  Your best bet though, is to contact AKC and ask for the number of a  Schipperke breed club in your area.  We might be able to help you as well, if you would like to email us.  A reputable breeder will give you a contract with health guarantees, a pedigree, health information about the breed, and will be happy to answer your questions.  Here are some questions you can ask a breeder to try and determine if they are reputable:

Are they members of SCA (Schipperke Club of America)?  People have to be sponsored by two other members to join, and they have to sign the Schipperke Code of Ethics.  This doesn't guarantee you have found a good breeder, but it's a good sign.Are they members of SCA (Schipperke Club of America)?  People have to be sponsored by two other members to join, and they have to sign the Schipperke Code of Ethics.  This doesn't guarantee you have found a good breeder, but it's a good sign.

What kind of health checks do you have done for your dogs?  In Schipperkes it is important to have their thyroid checked; epilepsy can be a problem in Schipperkes also.

Do you show, or compete in other areas?  If they tell you that, "No, they don't show, but their dogs are pretty enough to show" - please run the other way.  Showing has nothing to do with pretty; it has to do with structure, movement, typeyness, and soundness.  The people who think shows dogs only have to be "pretty" have probably never shown, and have no idea what it would take to have a good show dog.  Again, even if you only want a pet, you have better chances of getting a good puppy from someone that does compete (conformation, obedience, agility), because they have a goal in mind when they are breeding.  Even if you think, "Well, I'm don't want to show, so it doesn't matter."    Don't you still want a healthy puppy?  Wouldn't you rather go to a person you can tell you not only about the parents, but grandparents, great-grandparents, and even further back?  Don't you want someone who has taken the time to breed the best dogs, who has learned as much as they can, know what problems you might have to deal with, and are not only interested in money?Do you show, or compete in other areas?  If they tell you that, "No, they don't show, but their dogs are pretty enough to show" - please run the other way.  Showing has nothing to do with pretty; it has to do with structure, movement, typeyness, and soundness.  The people who think shows dogs only have to be "pretty" have probably never shown, and have no idea what it would take to have a good show dog.  Again, even if you only want a pet, you have better chances of getting a good puppy from someone that does compete (conformation, obedience, agility), because they have a goal in mind when they are breeding.  Even if you think, "Well, I'm don't want to show, so it doesn't matter."    Don't you still want a healthy puppy?  Wouldn't you rather go to a person you can tell you not only about the parents, but grandparents, great-grandparents, and even further back?  Don't you want someone who has taken the time to breed the best dogs, who has learned as much as they can, know what problems you might have to deal with, and are not only interested in money?

Pay attention to the kind of questions they ask you.   If they are not interested in asking you any questions, then they are probably not interested in asking Joe Smoe any questions either - and how do they know how he will treat their puppy?  A good breeder's primary focus is finding good homes for the puppies they are not keeping - so if they don't care who you are then they don't care about their dogs either.  In Schipperkes, you will probably be asked if you have a fenced yard, if you have had Schips before, what kind of dogs you have owned before, what their energy level has been, why do you want this puppy now, etc.

Don't be impressed if ...   they tell you they own both parents, so you can see them right in their home.  Reputable breeders will want to find the best male for their bitch - and most of the time the male they have at home is only the most convenient male for them to use.   Don't be impressed if they tell you they have been in the breed for a long time - it is more important what they have been doing in the breed, not how long they have been there.  Now, some people can honestly brag that they have been in the breed for a long time ... because they have been active in the breed - by showing, or obedience, or helping the national breed club, etc. 

If you are interested in an adult dog, and especially if you don't have much money to spend, please consider RESCUE. These are dogs that have generally come from puppy mills or pet shops, and their owners have turned them into the pound, or turned them directly over to rescue.   We take them to the vets; get their health checked, heartworm, neuter them, then foster them.   They are generally housebroken, and any behavior problems are known and told to anyone interested (not all of them have behavior problems - but occasionally one will dislike young children, or cats; or positive things, such as loving young children).  In Schipperkes, the younger dogs go for $150, and the older ones go for $75.  Believe me, you will definitely be getting your money's worth - in vet bills alone.  In fact, the money you pay does not completely support the Rescue program, many clubs hold special events to raise money.  For example, every year at our Schipperke National Show, we have an auction with proceeds going towards Rescue.  Why do we do this?  I cannot speak for everyone, but we do it in part for the love of the breed, and in part because, by becoming a breeder,  you are responsible for the breed as a whole.   To be a good breeder, you have to be dedicated to improving the breed - so you have to care about the Schipperke's future...  even if it's one little dog who is just learning how to live with a family because he's never had the chance to before.

If you are interested in getting a show dog ...

Buy The Complete Schipperke - you can get it at most shows.   Study the lines and kennels discussed in there, but also understand that those lines are often older ones, so are not as often seen on pedigrees today (because they are five or more generations back).

Go to shows, and ask people their about their Schipperkes.   Note the ones you like and note who their parents are.

Attend a specialty - especially the National, if you can get to it.  This will let you see dogs from all over the US, and you will see several distinct types.  You can also talk to several breeders there.

Subscribe to the Schipperke Bulletin.  This will tell you who is in the top ten, who is winning, give you a list of possible breeders to call.

Things not to be afraid of:

Don't be afraid to pay extra money to get a dog from top lines.  If you get a better dog, you will save that money in entry fees.

Don't be afraid to ship your dog - or go a long distance to get it.  If the right breeder is not in your area, go elsewhere.

Don't be afraid to wait a long time.  Figure it takes two months for a dog to give birth, and two months, sometimes three or four, before the puppies are ready; add it up and you already have several months.  If there is a bitch you really like, it is worth waiting to get a puppy from her.  Sometimes people wait two years or more to get a dog.  You probably will not have to wait that long, but if it is necessary it might be worth it.

And remember, the more breeders you talk to the better chance you have of finding the right one.  The more friends you make the more you will learn.  Have fun!