Last Updated: Nov 22, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Are Schipperkes Aggressive Towards Strangers?
- Are Schipperkes Aggressive Towards their Owners?
- Are Schipperkes Aggressive Towards other Dogs?
- Are Schipperkes Afraid of Strangers?
- Are Schipperkes Afraid of Other Dogs?
- Do Schipperkes Have Non-Social Fears?
- Do Schipperkes Get Along Well With Other Dogs?
- Are Schipperkes Easy to Train?
- Do Schipperkes Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?
- Do Schipperkes Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?
- Do Schipperkes have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?
- Are Schipperkes Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?
- Are Schipperkes Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?
- Are Schipperkes Playful? What is the Energy Level of Schipperkes
- Conclusion on Schipperke Temperament
Introduction to the Temperament of the Schipperke
The are many descriptions of the temperament of the Schipperke out there. However, most of these descriptions are difficult to verify or prove. They are based on mere speculations.
In this article, we will provide a factual description of the temperament of the Schipperke based on solid scientific research. This will give you a better understanding of what you can expect from the Schipperke breed.
We obtained our description of the temperament of Schipperke by analyzing raw scientific data from The Canine Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) database.
The C-BARQ dog temperament standard was developed by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania. It is considered the gold standard for measuring the behavior of dogs.
Over the years, the C-BARQ study has collected data on the temperament of thousands of dogs of different breeds including the Schipperke.
The C-BARQ study obtains its data by asking dog owners to score the behavior of their dogs on different behavior patterns.
The idea behind the C-BARQ study is that if it collects thousands of scores from thousands of dog owners on different aspects of dog behavior, a clear pattern will emerge on the temperament of different dog breeds.
The C-BARQ questionnaire measures 14 behavior aspects of dogs:
- Aggression towards stranger
- Aggression towards its owner
- Aggression towards other dogs
- How well they get along with other dogs
- Fear of strangers
- Fear of new things (new objects, unfamiliar loud sounds, etc)
- Fear of other dogs
- Separation anxiety
- Clinginess
- Trainability/ Stubbornness
- Prey drive
- Excitability
- Touch sensitivity
- Energy level
In this article, we will discuss the score of the Schipperke for each of these 14 characteristics. This will let you know the real temperament of the Schipperke.
The summary table below shows the score of the Schipperke for the different behavioral characteristics.
High percentage scores close to 100 are bad. Low percentage scores close to 0 are good.
| Behavior | Score |
|---|---|
| Prey Drive | 69.0 percent |
| Energy Level | 64.1 percent |
| Attachment Attention Seeking | 62.4 percent |
| Dog Directed Aggression | 58.6 percent |
| Dog Rivalry | 55.7 percent |
| Stranger Directed Aggression | 52.3 percent |
| Touch Sensitivity | 48.6 percent |
| Excitability | 43.1 percent |
| Stubbornness | 33.1 percent |
| Dog Directed Fear | 24.3 percent |
| Stranger Directed Fear | 23.0 percent |
| Owner Directed Aggression | 18.1 percent |
| Separation Related Behavior | 15.8 percent |
| Nonsocial Fear | 12.5 percent |
Note that with proper training, you can better your Schipperke`s temperament. To learn how to properly train your Schipperke, I highly recommend that you go through Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.
I learned most of the things that I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.
Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Schipperke.
See also our complete ranking of dog breeds from the `best` to the `worst` based on temperament.
Are Schipperkes Aggressive Towards Strangers?
Dog breeds that are aggressive to strangers show hostile responses to strangers approaching or invading the dog`s or the dog owner`s personal space, territory, or home range.
Stranger-aggressive dog breeds are quick to show aggression to unfamiliar people.
Typical signs of moderate aggression in dogs include barking, growling, and baring of teeth. More serious display of aggression generally includes snapping, lunging, biting, or attempting to bite.
Schipperkes are very much aggressive towards strangers.
This is because the Schipperke ranks very high for aggression towards strangers.
The Schipperke ranks number 22 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards strangers.
This information is based on what 18 Schipperke owners reported on the temperament of their Schipperke in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Schipperke has a stranger-directed-aggression score of 52.3 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much aggressive towards strangers just like the Schipperke are listed in the table below
| Stranger-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Stranger-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | Chinese Crested | 53.4 % |
| 20 | Yorkshire Terrier | 52.6 % |
| 21 | Belgian Sheepdog | 52.4 % |
| 22 | Schipperke | 52.3 % |
| 23 | Lhasa Apso | 50.6 % |
| 24 | Doberman Pinscher | 49.8 % |
| 25 | Fox Terrier (Toy) | 49.2 % |
The dog breeds that are most aggressive towards strangers are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards strangers are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Schipperkes Aggressive Towards their Owners?
Due to human effort over the course of many centuries, the dog has become a very domestic animal. Dogs have learned to live well with humans. As a result, dogs respect and love their owners. Nevertheless, some dog breeds are less respectful to their owners than some other dog breeds.
Owner-aggressive dog breeds show threatening or hostile responses to their owner or other members of the household when challenged, manhandled, stared at, stepped over, or when approached while in possession of food, objects, or toys.
A dog that is owner-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite their owners.
Schipperkes are somewhat aggressive towards their owners.
This is because the Schipperke ranks average for aggression towards its owner.
The Schipperke ranks number 52 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards their owners.
This information is based on what 18 Schipperke owners reported on the temperament of their Schipperke in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Schipperke has an owner-directed-aggression score of 18.1 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat owner-aggressive just like the Schipperke are listed in the table below
| Owner-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Owner-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 49 | Australian Cattle Dog | 19.0 % |
| 50 | Pembroke Welsh Corgi | 18.5 % |
| 51 | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 18.1 % |
| 52 | Schipperke | 18.1 % |
| 53 | Rottweiler | 17.4 % |
| 54 | Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier | 17.1 % |
| 55 | Black and Tan Coonhound | 16.8 % |
The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards their owners are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards their owners are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Schipperkes Aggressive Towards other Dogs?
Dogs that are aggressive towards other dogs will direct aggressive threats or actions toward unknown or unfamiliar dogs.
A dog-aggressive dog will threaten or show hostile responses when approached by unfamiliar dogs
A dog that is dog-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite other dogs.
Schipperkes are quite a bit aggressive towards other dogs.
This is because the Schipperke ranks high for aggression towards other dogs.
The Schipperke ranks number 38 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards other dogs.
This information is based on what 18 Schipperke owners reported on the temperament of their Schipperke in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Schipperke has a dog-directed aggression score of 58.6 %.
Other dog breeds that are quite a bit dog-aggressive just like the Schipperke are listed in the table below
| Dog-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Dog-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | English Bulldog | 60.5 % |
| 36 | Dachshund (Miniature) | 60.1 % |
| 37 | Lhasa Apso | 59.6 % |
| 38 | Schipperke | 58.6 % |
| 39 | Border Terrier | 58.5 % |
| 40 | English Springer Spaniel | 57.5 % |
| 41 | Standard Schnauzer | 56.4 % |
The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards other dogs are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Schipperkes Afraid of Strangers?
Some dogs breeds tend to be fearful of strangers.
Dogs that are fearful of strangers will avoid strangers. These dogs will crouch, cringe, or tremble when approached by strangers.
Extreme fear in dogs is characterized by serious attempts to escape or hide from the feared stranger.
Schipperkes are somewhat fearful of strangers.
This is because the Schipperke ranks average for fear of strangers.
The Schipperke ranks number 72 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of strangers.
This information is based on what 18 Schipperke owners reported on the temperament of their Schipperke in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Schipperke has a stranger-directed-fear score of 23.0 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat stranger-fearful just like the Schipperke are listed in the table below
| Stranger-Directed-Fear Rank | Breed | Stranger-Directed-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 69 | Bernese Mountain Dog | 25.3 % |
| 70 | Bullmastiff | 24.8 % |
| 71 | Eurasier | 24.2 % |
| 72 | Schipperke | 23.0 % |
| 73 | American Pit Bull Terrier | 22.9 % |
| 74 | West Highland White Terrier | 22.7 % |
| 75 | Poodle (Standard) | 22.2 % |
The dog breeds that show the most fear of strangers are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of strangers are the:
Are Schipperkes Afraid of Other Dogs?
Some dogs breeds tend to show fear when an unfamiliar dog approaches them.
A dog that is fearful of other dogs will try to avoid meeting other dogs.
Schipperkes are a little bit fearful of other dogs.
This is because the Schipperke ranks low for fear of other dogs.
The Schipperke ranks number 94 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of other dogs.
This information is based on what 18 Schipperke owners reported on the temperament of their Schipperke in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Schipperke has a dog-directed-fear score of 24.3 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit other-dog-fearful just like the Schipperke are listed in the table below
| Dog-Directed-Fear Rank | Breed | Dog-Directed-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 91 | Pit Bull | 25.2 % |
| 92 | Great Dane | 24.9 % |
| 93 | Newfoundland | 24.9 % |
| 94 | Schipperke | 24.3 % |
| 95 | Alaskan Malamute | 23.7 % |
| 96 | Akita | 23.4 % |
| 97 | English Bulldog | 23.0 % |
The dog breeds that are most fearful of other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of other dogs are the:
Do Schipperkes Have Non-Social Fears?
Dogs that are fearful of sudden or loud noises, traffic, and unfamiliar objects and situations are said to exhibit nonsocial fear.
Schipperkes are not fearful of unfamiliar sounds, situations, and objects.
This is because the Schipperke ranks very low for non-social fear.
The Schipperke ranks number 112 out of 124 dog breeds for being fearful of unfamiliar things and situations.
This information is based on what 18 Schipperke owners reported on the temperament of their Schipperke in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Schipperke has a nonsocial-fear score of 12.5 %.
Other dog breeds that are not nonsocial-fearful just like the Schipperke are listed in the table below
| Nonsocial-Fear Rank | Breed | Nonsocial-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 109 | English Springer Spaniel | 13.5 % |
| 110 | Lagotto Romagnolo | 13.4 % |
| 111 | Chinook | 12.9 % |
| 112 | Schipperke | 12.5 % |
| 113 | Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever | 12.0 % |
| 114 | Rottweiler | 6.2 % |
| 115 | Portuguese Water Dog | 6.1 % |
The dog breeds that are most fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:
Do Schipperkes Get Along Well With Other Dogs?
Some dog breeds display high dog rivalry. These dog breeds will threaten or act hostile to other familiar dogs in the same household.
These dog breeds will compete with other dogs. Also, these dog breeds do not get along well with other dogs.
Schipperkes are quite a bit competitive when dealing with other dogs.
This is because the Schipperke ranks high on dog rivalry.
The Schipperke ranks number 27 out of 124 dog breeds for displaying dog rivalry when dealing with familiar dogs.
This information is based on what 18 Schipperke owners reported on the temperament of their Schipperke in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Schipperke has a dog-rivalry score of 55.7 %.
Other dog breeds that are quite a bit competition-driven just like the Schipperke are listed in the table below
| Dog-Rivalry Rank | Breed | Dog-Rivalry Score |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | Cairn Terrier | 58.4 % |
| 25 | Beagle | 56.7 % |
| 26 | Cocker Spaniel (English) | 56.3 % |
| 27 | Schipperke | 55.7 % |
| 28 | Dingo | 55.6 % |
| 29 | Dachshund (Miniature) | 55.4 % |
| 30 | American Bulldog | 54.4 % |
The dog breeds that do not get along well with other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that get along well with other dogs are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how well they get along with other dog breeds.
Are Schipperkes Easy to Train?
Dogs have high trainability have the willingness to listen to their owner. These dogs are not stubborn. These dogs obey simple commands, and they learn very quickly.
Highly trainable dogs excel at fetching objects. They also respond positively to correction and ignore distraction.
Schipperkes are somewhat easy to train.
This is because the Schipperke ranks average for trainability.
The Schipperke ranks number 62 out of 124 dog breeds for easiness to train.
This information is based on what 18 Schipperke owners reported on the trainability of their Schipperke in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Schipperke has a trainability score of 66.9 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat easy to train just like the Schipperke are listed in the table below
| Trainability Rank | Breed | Trainability Score |
|---|---|---|
| 59 | Pit Bull | 68.0 % |
| 60 | Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier | 67.9 % |
| 61 | Cocker Spaniel (American) | 67.0 % |
| 62 | Schipperke | 66.9 % |
| 63 | Whippet | 65.9 % |
| 64 | American Staffordshire Terrier | 65.3 % |
| 65 | Chow Chow | 64.4 % |
The dog breeds that are most easy to train are the:
The dog breeds that are difficult to train are the:
Learn more about how intelligent the Schipperke is and how the intelligence of the Schipperke affects its trainability in this article on how smart the Schipperke is.
Do Schipperkes Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?
Dog breeds that have high chase-drive will run after (chase) cats, birds, and/or other small animals, given the opportunity.
Schipperkes are very much into chasing after other smaller pets like cats, squirrels, chickens, and birds.
This is because the Schipperke ranks very high for small-pet-chasing.
The Schipperke ranks number 23 out of 124 dog breeds for chasing after smaller pets.
This information is based on what 18 Schipperke owners reported on the temperament of their Schipperke in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Schipperke has a chasing score of 69.0 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much into chasing after smaller pets just like the Schipperke are listed in the table below
| Chasing Rank | Breed | Chasing Score |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | Australian Cattle Dog | 69.7 % |
| 21 | Akita | 69.5 % |
| 22 | Miniature Schnauzer | 69.1 % |
| 23 | Schipperke | 69.0 % |
| 24 | Rhodesian Ridgeback | 67.1 % |
| 25 | Belgian Malinois | 66.4 % |
| 26 | Rat Terrier | 65.4 % |
The dog breeds that like chasing after cats and other smaller pets are the:
The dog breeds that will not chase after cats and other smaller pets are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their prey drive.
Do Schipperkes Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?
Some dog breeds like to stay close to their owners all the time. These dogs like attention, and they like to receive the affection of their owners.
These dogs get jealous when their owners give attention to other dogs or other people instead of them.
Dogs with these traits are described as attachment/attention-seeking.
Schipperkes are quite a bit attachment/attention-seeking.
This is because the Schipperke ranks high for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.
The Schipperke ranks number 41 out of 124 dog breeds for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.
This information is based on what 18 Schipperke owners reported on the temperament of their Schipperke in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Schipperke has an attachment/attention-seeking score of 62.4 %.
Other dog breeds that are quite a bit attachment/attention-seeking just like the Schipperke are listed in the table below
| Attachment-Attention-Seeking Rank | Breed | Attachment-Attention-Seeking Score |
|---|---|---|
| 38 | Pomeranian | 64.4 % |
| 39 | Jack Russell Terrier | 64.4 % |
| 40 | Flat-Coated Retriever | 63.2 % |
| 41 | Schipperke | 62.4 % |
| 42 | Rottweiler | 61.8 % |
| 43 | Cocker Spaniel (American) | 61.6 % |
| 44 | Havanese | 61.6 % |
The dog breeds that are always seeking the attention of their owners are the:
The dog breeds that are aloof are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their clinginess.
Do Schipperkes have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?
Dog breeds that have separation anxiety do not like to be left alone.
These dog breeds tend to bark and destroy things when separated from their owners.
They become restless or lose their appetite when left alone.
Schipperkes are not prone to developing separation anxiety.
This is because the Schipperke ranks very low for separation anxiety relative to other dog breeds.
The Schipperke ranks number 113 out of 124 dog breeds for separation anxiety.
This information is based on what 18 Schipperke owners reported on the temperament of their Schipperke in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Schipperke has a separation anxiety score of 15.8 %.
Other dog breeds that are not prone to develop separation anxiety just like the Schipperke are listed in the table below
| Separation-Related-Behavior Rank | Breed | Separation-Related-Behavior Score |
|---|---|---|
| 110 | Irish Wolfhound | 16.6 % |
| 111 | Collie | 16.5 % |
| 112 | Golden Retriever | 16.0 % |
| 113 | Schipperke | 15.8 % |
| 114 | Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever | 15.6 % |
| 115 | Portuguese Water Dog | 15.5 % |
| 116 | Flat-Coated Retriever | 15.0 % |
The dog breeds that are most prone to develop separation anxiety are listed below. These dog breeds do not like to be left alone. These dog breeds are the:
- Treeing Walker Coonhound
- Fox Terrier (Smooth)
- Chinese Crested
- Miniature Pinscher
- Australian Silky Terrier
The dog breeds that are least prone to develop separation anxiety are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their tendency to develop separation anxiety.
Are Schipperkes Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?
Dogs that are touch-sensitive are fearful of `painful` procedures such as bathing, grooming, nail clipping, and veterinary examinations.
These dogs do not like going through these `painful` procedures, and they will react to show they do not like the procedure.
Schipperkes are very much touch-sensitive.
This is because the Schipperke ranks very high for touch sensitivity.
The Schipperke ranks number 14 out of 124 dog breeds for touch sensitivity.
This information is based on what 18 Schipperke owners reported on the temperament of their Schipperke in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Schipperke has a touch-sensitivity score of 48.6 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much touch-sensitive just like the Schipperke are listed in the table below
| Touch-Sensitivity Rank | Breed | Touch-Sensitivity Score |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Afghan Hound | 50.2 % |
| 12 | Cairn Terrier | 49.3 % |
| 13 | Pug | 48.7 % |
| 14 | Schipperke | 48.6 % |
| 15 | Rat Terrier | 48.2 % |
| 16 | Beagle | 47.9 % |
| 17 | American Eskimo Dog | 47.5 % |
The dog breeds that are most touch-sensitive are the:
The dog breeds that are least touch-sensitive are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their sensitivity to touch.
Are Schipperkes Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?
Excitable dog or hyper dog breeds display strong reactions to potentially exciting or arousing events, such as:
- going for walks
- car trips
- sound of the doorbell
- arrival of visitors, and
- the owner arriving home
Highly excitable dog breeds have difficulty settling down after arousal.
Schipperkes are somewhat hyper (excitable).
This is because the Schipperke ranks average for excitability.
The Schipperke ranks number 71 out of 124 dog breeds for excitability.
This information is based on what 18 Schipperke owners reported on the temperament of their Schipperke in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Schipperke has an excitability score of 43.1 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat excitable just like the Schipperke are listed in the table below
| Excitability Rank | Breed | Excitability Score |
|---|---|---|
| 68 | Basset Hound | 43.8 % |
| 69 | Doberman Pinscher | 43.8 % |
| 70 | Cocker Spaniel (American) | 43.4 % |
| 71 | Schipperke | 43.1 % |
| 72 | German Shepherd | 42.9 % |
| 73 | Border Collie | 42.9 % |
| 74 | Belgian Tervuren | 42.9 % |
The dog breeds that are most hyper (excitable) are the:
- Australian Silky Terrier
- Fox Terrier (Smooth)
- American Eskimo Dog
- Parson Russell Terrier
- Miniature Schnauzer
The dog breeds that are least hyper (excitable) are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how hyper they are.
Are Schipperkes Playful? What is the Energy Level of Schipperkes
Energetic dog breeds are very playful dog breeds. These are the dog breeds that do not get tired easily.
Schipperkes are quite a bit energetic.
This is because the Schipperke ranks high for energy level.
The Schipperke ranks number 45 out of 124 dog breeds for energy level.
This information is based on what 18 Schipperke owners reported on the temperament of their Schipperke in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Schipperke has an energy-level score of 64.1 %.
Other dog breeds that are quite a bit energetic just like the Schipperke are listed in the table below
| Energy-Level Rank | Breed | Energy-Level Score |
|---|---|---|
| 42 | American Bulldog | 65.2 % |
| 43 | Alaskan Husky | 65.2 % |
| 44 | Boston Terrier | 64.5 % |
| 45 | Schipperke | 64.1 % |
| 46 | Weimaraner | 64.0 % |
| 47 | Maltese | 63.4 % |
| 48 | Poodle (Miniature) | 62.8 % |
The dog breeds that are most playful and most energetic are the:
The dog breeds that are laziest are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the most energetic to the least energetic.
Conclusion on Schipperke Temperament
The temperament of your Schipperke comes from a combination of its genetics and what environment your Schipperke is exposed to.
You cannot change your Schipperke`s gene but you can change the things you expose your Schipperke to.
Exposing your Schipperke to dog training sessions early in its life can help you mold the temperament of your Schipperke to what you desire.
Again, with proper training, you can better your Schipperke`s temperament. To learn how to properly train a dog, I highly recommend Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.
I learned most of the things I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.
Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Schipperke.
If you think the Schipperke is the right dog breed for you, see our article on how much Schipperkes cost and Schipperke puppy buying guide.
Also, see our list of reputable Schipperke breeders in the United States and the prices of their Schipperke puppies.