Just as in England we are mainly indebted to the working classes for many of our most beautiful Toy dogs (the Yorkshire Terrier, for instance), as well as for some of our gamest and best all-round Terriers (the Bedlington Terrier, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, and the Irish Terrier, to go no further), so is it with other countries. Indeed, the subject of the present chaper, though now elevated to the rank of a fashionable pet-dog, less than twenty years ago was comparatively unknown here, and in its native country (Belgium) was chiefly a barge-dog, employed for the dual purpose of giving the alarm and of keeping down the rats.

In even casually looking down the list of varieties of dogs that are given varietal rank in the Kennel Club Stud Book, a thing that strikes one very forcibly is the very large number of foreign breeds that have found a permanent home here. Moreover, in this connection it is only fair to state that, however distasteful foreign productions generally may be to John Bull, the fact remains that all who would enjoy the uses and companionship of some of the most desirable of small dogs must pocket their insular prejudices.

The Schipperke very quickly ingratiated himself with English dog-lovers, and despite the drawback that docking of a rather severe form had to be performed on many of the earlier specimens, the breed, so far as patronage is concerned, has not looked back. So far the Schipperke has never been extensively boomed, nor has it ever had a "pat on the back" as a breed from distinguished personages, that has given a fillip to many another variety. Rather has it had to rely upon its individual merits than upon any extraneous assistance. Instead of being the favourite of kings and of nobles - like the Toy Spaniel, for instance - the Schipperke at one time had no more aristocratic owners than the Belgian barge and canal-boat men, or it may be of drivers of coaches, carts, and other vehicles. Though usually chiefly associated with boats, the Schipperke was also employed as a watch-dog on carts, etc. In fact, in the earlier descriptions of the breed that were published by the Brussels Schipperke Club this was duly set forth, as the following translation will show:

"This faithful little dog, frequently met with on our barges and canal-boats, is characterised by great intelligence. By his fidelity, vigilance, obedience, and good temper with children, his graceful and elegant shape and carriage, and his perfect cleanliness, he has become the favourite dog for the house. He has also a great fancy for the company of horses, and on this account was formerly employed as a watch-dog on coaches, diligences, and carts, where, sitting proud, attentive, and fierce, on the front or highest part of the vehicle, he seemed more at home than in any other position. He is a veritable demon at such vermin as mice, rats, etc."

Fig. 115. - Typical Schipperkes.

Laudatory generally as this description is, yet it is in the main truthful, and especially if the little dog be allowed to associate with really sporting Terriers, when all that is best and brightest is developed, which is certainly not the case when he is treated simply as a pampered pet.

Though there are many things which have conduced to place the Schipperke in the exalted position he now enjoys in the affection of English dog-lovers, yet the chief are undoubtedly his smart, compact appearance, his vigilance, alertness, and his general companionable qualities. In fact, it would be difficult indeed to point to a more suitable small dog for the house, for the "Schip "has all the best characteristics of the hardier Terriers, and but few of their faults. The worst that can be said of the little dog is that his somewhat harsh "yap-yap" is a bit distracting in a house where "nerves " are plentiful. No wonder, therefore, that his progress has been rapid, and that at every show of any importance in this country a classification for the breed is provided. Added to which there are two specialist Clubs in this country, each having as its chief aim the furtherance of the variety; while Scotland also has its specialist Club. The English Schipperke Club was founded in 1890, and the St. Hubert Schipperke Club some four years later. Each club has its description of the breed, differing only in minor details; but the St. Hubert Schipperke Club's is based upon the Belgium Schipperke Club's standard of 1888.

Naturally of a robust constitution, the Schipperke scores considerably over many of the other foriegn breeds that have found favour here. The variety may truly be described as hard as nails, and the writer has kept dozens of the breed, treating them in the matter of exercise just as he did a kennel of mixed Terriers. Indeed, he has found that in a heather and whin country (an admittedly trying one for the feet of any dog) the Schipperke has been quite the equal of the best of the Terriers so far as facing the country was concerned. Seldom does a dog treated rationally get sick or sorry; naturally a dog required for show must lead a more artificial life, with of course its attendant troubles.

No coddling is necessary with the Schipperke, as may be imagined from the dog's past Frequently, however, owners in this country, in mistaken kindness, keep their dogs too much indoors, feed them on too luxurious a diet, and do not afford them the amount of exercise so active a dog as the Schipperke requires. The result of this is skin troubles and other ailments. With the earlier imported Schipperkes eczema was a very common and troublesome disease (probably largely the result of inbreeding); but this tendency to eczema has very largely disappeared. Some seven or eight years ago Mrs. Heard, whose star as a breeder was at that time in the ascendant, wrote: "Imported Schipperkes very frequently arrive full of eczema; so that the breed must be predisposed to the complaint (inbreeding, I suppose)." She then goes on: "My strongest plea for the Schipperke is, Let him be a game and strong, companionable dog, and prevent him from degenerating into a lap-dog. The delightful ways and affectionate disposition of the breed charm all who keep it; but when brought up hardy, Schipperkes lose none of their virtues - rather, on the other hand, are they accentuated."