Schipperke vs Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie)
Side by side
Schipperke
Shetland Sheepdog
Adult weight
3–9 kg (6.6–20 lb)1
Males 7–11 kg (15–24 lb); females 6–10 kg (13–22 lb) (breed club figure)2
Height
Males 27.9–33 cm; females 25.4–30.5 cm3
Males 34.5–39.5 cm; females 33–38 cm (breed club figure)2
Fully grown
10 months, both sexes5
Shedding
Moults most as the seasons change
Grooming
A brush once a week
Daily brushing
Exercise
Plenty
Health
No sourced figure
Class
Companion
Companion
Which suits you
Size
The Schipperke comes in a wide range of sizes, 3–9 kg (6.6–20 lb) as an adult, against 6–11 kg (13–24 lb) for the Shetland Sheepdog.
Grooming
The Shetland Sheepdog needs more grooming, daily brushing, where the Schipperke needs a brush once a week.
Temperament
They differ most on independence (Schipperke: decides for itself; Shetland Sheepdog: keen to work with you) and on affection (Schipperke: affectionate on its own terms; Shetland Sheepdog: a lap or leaning dog).
Alike
Both are rated the same on loyalty: sticks close to its people.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
What they're like
Schipperke
Sheepdogs & cattledogs · Small
In temperament the Schipperke is confident, alert and curious, quick to notice change and ready to bark about it.
Shetland Sheepdog
Sheepdogs & cattledogs · Small
Shelties learn quickly, respond well to handling and are closely attached to their own people, though they are often reserved with strangers.
Breed traits
Day to day
Schipperke
Shetland Sheepdog
Activity
Differs
A good daily walk and play
Needs lots of exercise
Intelligence
Needs daily brain work
Needs daily brain work
Handler demand
Differs
Needs steady training
Suits a first-time owner
With people
Schipperke
Shetland Sheepdog
Affection
Differs
Affectionate on its own terms
A lap or leaning dog
Loyalty
Sticks close to its people
Sticks close to its people
Independence
Differs
Decides for itself
Keen to work with you
Around the home
Schipperke
Shetland Sheepdog
Sensitivity
Differs
Average
Needs a calm, predictable home
Voice
Very vocal
Very vocal
Prey drive
Differs
Likely to chase small pets
Chases; needs managing
Puppy growth
Reference curves · both sexes
Summary
Detail
The Shetland Sheepdog grows to the heavier adult, about 8.5 kg against the Schipperke's 6 kg.
Schipperke
Shetland Sheepdog
More comparisons
Compare the Schipperke with
Sources
- 1
- 2American Kennel Club. Shetland Sheepdog breed page. ↑
- 3American Kennel Club. Schipperke breed standard. ↑
- 4
- 5Hawthorne et al., 2004. Body-weight changes during growth in puppies of different breeds. Journal of Nutrition 134(8 Suppl): 2027S–2030S (WALTHAM). ↑
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9Morrill et al., 2022. Ancestry-inclusive dog genomics challenges popular breed stereotypes. Science 376: eabk0639 (Darwin's Ark). ↑
- 10Dogs Trust. Finding a good, responsible breeder. ↑
- 11American Kennel Club. Screening puppy buyers: how top breeders find the best homes. ↑
- 12
Parts of this page were written by AI ·