Schipper-Poo

The Schipper-Poo is a relatively new hybrid, though the two breeds that make the hybrid have long histories. It is thought that the Schipperke is a descendent of the Leauvenaar (Black Sheepdog) whose purpose was to be a watchdog while riding on the boats in the canals between Brussels and Antwerp. The dogs, who were at home in both the country as well as on the boats, were once known as the Spitske or Spits dog, however when the breed club was formed in 1888 they were name Schnipperke, which means “little shepherd” or “little captain”. The popularity of the breed increased after Queen Marie Henriette saw one at the Brussels dog show in 1885. The breed was imported to the United States in 1888. The Poodle is a very well-known breed that is also one of the oldest. It is believed that the breed began in Germany as a combination of several European breeds as well as the North African Barbet. An additional theory regarding the origin of the Poodle is that they descended from herding dogs in Asia or that they have ancestors from the Asian steppes, dogs of which wound up in Portugal after conquering the North African Berbers. Roman artifacts and Egyptian tombs dating back to the first century B.C. depict dogs of a similar appearance. It is thought that the smaller versions of the Poodle were created in the 1400’s by crossing smaller Poodles with one another. The Poodle was used for duck hunting in France. The first Poodle was registered in the American Kennel Club in 1888.