Breed History:

The Schapendoes is a lively herding breed that originated in the Netherlands, where it was developed as a sheepdog for working on farms and heathlands. Descended from general-purpose shaggy farm dogs, the breed became especially popular with Dutch shepherds for its agility, endurance, and intelligence.

Following the decline of traditional sheep farming and the disruptions of the Second World War, the Schapendoes came close to extinction. Dutch breeder Pieter Toepoel played a key role in preserving the breed during the 1940s by locating remaining dogs and establishing a breeding program.

Today, the Schapendoes is valued both as an energetic herding dog and as an affectionate, active family companion.

Gender	Height	Weight
Male	43–50 cm	12–20 kg
Female	40–47 cm	12–20 kg

Size: Medium

Life Expectancy: 12–15 years

Breed Appearance:

The Schapendoes is a lightly built, agile, and athletic dog covered in a long, profuse coat.

The breed commonly features:

• Rounded head

• Moderate muzzle

• Large, expressive dark eyes, often partially covered by hair

• Medium-sized drop ears hidden beneath the coat

• Deep chest and lean, muscular body

• Long, feathered tail carried with a slight curve

Its coat is long, dense, slightly wavy, and weather-resistant with a soft undercoat.

Common coat colours include:

• Black

• Blue-grey

• Grey

• Brown

• Cream

Almost any coat colour or combination is accepted, with blue-grey shades being particularly common.

The breed's abundant coat, beard, and lively expression give it a cheerful, shaggy appearance.

Breed Type – Herding Dog:

The Schapendoes is an intelligent, energetic, and affectionate working breed.

It is known for being:

• Friendly and sociable

• Intelligent and eager to learn

• Agile and athletic

• Playful and cheerful

• Loyal and devoted

• Alert without being aggressive

The breed enjoys close interaction with its family and thrives when given regular mental and physical challenges.

Training:

The Schapendoes is highly trainable and enjoys learning new tasks.

Training should focus on:

• Early socialisation

• Positive reinforcement methods

• Obedience training

• Recall exercises

• Agility training

• Herding or canine sports

The breed excels in:

• Herding

• Agility

• Obedience

• Rally obedience

• Flyball

• Trick training

Its intelligence and eagerness to please make it responsive to patient, reward-based training.

Health & Care:

The Schapendoes is generally healthy but may occasionally be prone to:

• Hip dysplasia

• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)

• Ear infections

• Patellar luxation

Routine veterinary care, responsible breeding, and maintaining a healthy weight help support long-term health.

Living Conditions:

The Schapendoes is best suited to active households.

Ideal environments include:

• Houses with secure yards

• Rural properties

• Suburban homes

• Active families

• Homes where someone is present for much of the day

Apartment living is possible if the dog receives sufficient daily exercise and mental stimulation.

The breed thrives when included in family activities and given regular opportunities to stay active.

Exercise:

The Schapendoes has high exercise requirements.

Recommended activities include:

• Long daily walks

• Running

• Agility

• Herding activities

• Hiking

• Interactive games

Both physical exercise and mental stimulation are essential for maintaining balanced behaviour.

Grooming:

The long coat requires moderate to high maintenance.

• Thorough brushing 2–3 times per week

• Removing tangles and mats regularly

• Occasional bathing

• Routine ear cleaning and nail trimming

• Regular dental care

The breed sheds lightly but requires consistent coat maintenance to prevent matting.

Advantages:

• Intelligent and highly trainable

• Friendly and affectionate with family

• Excellent agility and canine sports participant

• Energetic and playful personality

• Good with children and other pets when socialised

• Generally healthy and hardy

Disadvantages:

• High exercise and mental stimulation requirements

• Coat requires regular brushing and maintenance

• Can become bored and destructive if under-exercised

• May bark when excited or alert

• Requires early socialisation and consistent training

• Prefers companionship and may develop separation anxiety if left alone for long periods