The Schipperke is a small Belgian breed with an outsized presence — foxlike in build, jet-black in coat, and brimming with the kind of confident, curious energy that earned them the affectionate nickname le petit diable noir, the “little black devil.” Originally bred to patrol the canal barges and workshops of Flanders, where they kept rats at bay and announced every visitor with authority, today’s Schipperke retains all of that working-dog intelligence and alertness in a tidy 10-to-16-pound package. They are sharp, devoted, and endlessly entertaining companions — quick to learn, deeply bonded to their families, and possessed of a personality that fills a room far larger than they are. Their thick double coat with its signature ruff and culottes is surprisingly low-maintenance, and they typically live 13 to 16 healthy years. A Schipperke isn’t a passive lap dog; they thrive with active owners who appreciate a thinking partner — one who will hike with you, train with you, watch over your home, and keep you laughing for the better part of two decades.