In 1690, a show for Schipperkes owned by Guild workmen was held in the Grand Palace of Brussels. The breed was called “Spits” or “Spitske” back then, the name Schipperke (Flemish for “little captain”) given only after the forming of the specialty club in 1888, the oldest breed club in Belgium. The breed was renamed to distinguish it from the German Spitz, a breed similar in appearance. While the Schipperke was regarded as canal boat dog, “Schippies” were equally valued by shoemakers and other workmen.  It was workman of the guild, however, that elevated their fondness for their dogs to new heights by holding one first ever dog shows in history.  Oddly enough, there were no representatives of the breed at the first all-breed dog show held in Brussels in 1840.

Image: Schipperke by Maud Earl