Best dog food for a Schipperke
A Schipperke is a small dog, generally somewhere around three to nine kilograms, but with a genuinely high energy level and an alert, busy temperament that doesn't always match expectations for a dog that size. A small-breed complete food suits most Schipperkes well, though portion control matters given how easily a small, energetic breed's calorie needs can be over- or underestimated.
Feeding a Schipperke
A small breed
An adult Schipperke typically weighs 3–9 kg, so a healthy Schipperke eats a modest amount compared with other breeds. Every feeding guide on a bag is written per kilo of body weight, not per breed — start there, then adjust to the dog in front of you.
Life stage
A small breed is usually done growing at 10–12 months, which is roughly when a puppy food has finished its job. With a typical lifespan of 13–15 years, there is a long adult stretch in the middle; switch to a senior food when your vet thinks it is worth it rather than on a birthday.
A high-energy dog eats like one
Schipperkes sit at the top end for energy, and a dog working through an hour and a half of real exercise a day burns through the feeding guide faster than a dog on a short stroll. Feed to the dog's condition, not to the middle of the range on the bag.
Small mouths, crowded teeth
Smaller breeds get dental disease more often than big ones, largely because the same number of teeth are packed into a shorter jaw. Kibble size is worth checking, and a dental chew counts towards the daily 10% of calories from treats.
How much should a Schipperke weigh?
Adult 3–9 kgfully grown at 10–12 months
| Age | Stage | Typical weight | Of adult size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks | Just home | 0.5–1.5 kg | 17% |
| 3 months | Young puppy | 0.8–2.4 kg | 27% |
| 6 months | Growing fast | 1.6–4.9 kg | 54% |
| 10–12 months | Fully grown | 3–9 kg | 100% |
A guide, from the same rule of thumb our puppy growth predictor uses — each age is that share of the way to maturity for a small breed. Puppies grow fastest early, so a real puppy usually sits a little above the middle rows. Weigh yours and ask your vet if the number worries you.
Complete dog foods that suit a Schipperke
Complete foods from our range, matched to a Schipperke's size band and what the breed typically needs. Stock levels and delivery dates are live on each product.
Pedigree Can in Jelly Puppy 6 Pack
Complete Pedigree puppy food in jelly with chicken, lamb and poultry recipes
£10.15
Forthglade Cold Pressed Natural Turkey
Cold-pressed turkey kibble for dogs from 2 months, soft enough to mix with water for young pups
£45.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Salmon
Cold-pressed grain-free dry food for dogs, built on fresh and dried salmon
From£16.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Duck
Cold-pressed grain-free duck food with fruit and botanicals, in two bag sizes
From£16.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Chicken
Cold-pressed grain-free chicken food with fruit and botanicals, in three bag sizes
From£16.99
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Turkey
A lightly baked complete dry food, 50% turkey, for adult dogs of any breed
From£12.49
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Chicken
A grain-free complete dry food for adult dogs, lightly baked and built on 50% chicken
From£12.49
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Turkey
Grain-free cold-pressed turkey kibble for dogs, gentle on sensitive stomachs
£69.69
Forthglade British Classics Chicken Family Lunch
Complete Forthglade wet dog food with 75% chicken in a 395G tray
£2.45
Harringtons Puppy Turkey & Rice
Complete turkey puppy food with 30% protein and feeding bands by adult weight
£6.49
Harringtons Just 6 Dry Dog Food Lamb
Grain-free lamb dry dog food in 2KG and 12KG sizes, with size-specific formulas
From£13.99
A small dog with a big energy level
Schipperkes are often described as having big dog energy in a small dog body, and that liveliness genuinely does affect their calorie needs, a Schipperke that's active throughout the day may need more food, proportionally, than a calmer small breed of similar size, but it's easy to overestimate this and overfeed rather than adjust based on how your individual dog actually looks and feels.
Regularly checking body condition rather than assuming a fixed amount works indefinitely helps catch any drift in either direction before it becomes a bigger issue.
Coat condition and the seasonal coat change
Schipperkes have a dense double coat that blows seasonally, shedding a noticeably larger amount over a shorter period rather than a steady trickle year-round. Good overall nutrition, with a genuine named protein source, supports coat condition through this process, though it won't eliminate the shed itself, that's a coat cycle, not a diet problem.
A food that's nutritionally sound day to day does more for coat health over time than switching to something different specifically during a shedding period.
Small-breed kibble and dental considerations
A small-breed formula, sized appropriately for a smaller mouth, is a sensible starting point for a Schipperke, much as it is for other small breeds. Dental health is also worth keeping an eye on in smaller dogs generally, since dental crowding and related issues are more common in smaller mouths.
A dental chew alongside regular brushing can support this, though it's a supplement to dental care rather than a replacement for a vet check if you notice any signs of dental discomfort.
Common questions
- How much should I feed a Schipperke?
- Follow the feeding guide on your chosen food based on your dog's actual weight, and adjust based on how their body condition looks over a few weeks rather than sticking rigidly to one portion, since Schipperkes vary in how active they genuinely are day to day.
- Do Schipperkes need small-breed food?
- It's a sensible choice given their typical adult size, mainly because the kibble size suits a smaller mouth, but it isn't compulsory, the more important factor is an overall balanced, appropriately portioned diet.
- Why does my Schipperke shed so much some months and not others?
- This is normal for the breed's double coat, which blows seasonally rather than shedding evenly year-round. It's a coat cycle rather than a sign of a dietary problem, though good nutrition supports overall coat condition.
- Are Schipperkes prone to dental problems?
- Like many smaller breeds, dental crowding can be more common in a Schipperke's smaller mouth. Regular brushing, dental chews, and routine vet checks help catch and manage this.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.