Pekingese versus Schipperke. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Pekingese Versus Schipperke: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Pekingese and the Schipperke? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Pekingese and the Schipperke better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Pekingese and the Schipperke.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Pekingese and the Schipperke is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Pekingese and for the Schipperke. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Pekingese and the Schipperke.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Pekingese or the Schipperke.

Pekingese versus Schipperke: Overview

Both the Pekingese and the Schipperke are similar in size. The Pekingese and the Schipperke are both tiny-sized dogs.

Furthermore, both the Pekingese and the Schipperke are Companion Dogs. This means both the Pekingese and the Schipperke were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

Pekingese versus Schipperke: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Pekingese to the Schipperke based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Pekingese and the Schipperke

Factor Pekingese Schipperke
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 5/5 3/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 13 to 15 years
Easygoing 4/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
General Health 2/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 1/5
Easy To Train 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 4/5
Height 6 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder 10 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight 7 to 14 pounds 11 to 18 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 14.0 years
Average Price $1930 $1170
Price Range $1288 – $2500 $900 – $1500
Temperament Score 93.3 percent 91.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hips
  • Mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIB (MPS IIIB)
  • Patellar Luxation
  • PennGen
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 86 109
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 73 15

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Pekingese in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Schipperke. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Pekingese is 77 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Schipperke is 73 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Pekingese is a better pet than the Schipperke. So, you should get the Pekingese!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Pekingese and the Schipperke so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pekingese and the Schipperke

    Below is a list of where the Pekingese and the Schipperke are most different:

  • Pekingeses require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Schipperkes are very easy to groom.
  • Pekingeses do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Schipperkes get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Pekingeses have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time. However, Schipperkes have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Pekingeses have low exercise needs. However, Schipperkes require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Pekingeses have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Schipperkes have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • The Similarities Between the Pekingese and the Schipperke

    The Pekingese and the Schipperke are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Pekingese and the Schipperke are most similar:

  • Both the Pekingese and the Schipperke cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Schipperke do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Schipperke do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Schipperke are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Schipperke can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Schipperke shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Schipperke are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Schipperke are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Schipperke adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Schipperke are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Pekingese versus Schipperke

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Pekingese and the Schipperke.

    Pekingeses weigh 7 to 14 pounds when fully grown. Pekingeses are 6 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Schipperkes weigh 11 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Schipperkes are 10 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Pekingese versus Schipperke

    The lifespan of Pekingeses is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Pekingeses is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of Schipperkes is between 13 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Schipperkes is 14.0 years.

    Schipperkes live longer than Pekingeses.

    Temperament of the Pekingese Versus the Schipperke

    The Pekingese has a better temperament than the Schipperke.

    This is because the temperament score for the Pekingese is 93.3 percent while the temperament score for the Schipperke is 91.5 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 93.3 percent, the Pekingese has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 91.5 percent, the Schipperke has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Pekingese and the Schipperke by measuring the temperaments of 15 Pekingeses and 130 Schipperkes.

    Price of Pekingese versus Price of Schipperke

    The average price of the Pekingese puppy is $1930. The price of the Pekingese typically ranges from $1288 – $2500. However, the price of a Pekingese can be as low as $700 and as high as $7500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 138 Pekingese puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Schipperke puppy is $1170. The price of the Schipperke typically ranges from $900 – $1500. However, the price of the Schipperke can be as low as $500 and as high as $2000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 60 Schipperke puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Pekingese is more expensive than the Schipperke.

    Pekingese Schipperke
    Average Price $1930 $1170
    Price Range $1288 to $2500 $900 to $1500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Pekingese and Schipperke. For different price points, the charts show how many Pekingese puppies or how many Schipperke puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Pekingeses. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Pekingeses. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Schipperkes

    A breakdown of the prices of Schipperkes

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Pekingese puppy or the Schipperke puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Adopting the Pekingese versus Adopting the Schipperke

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Pekingeses and many Schipperkes are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Pekingese named Prancer that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Pekingeses like Prancer on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Pekingeses, Schipperkes are also available for adoption. For example, Urchin is a Male Schipperke that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Schipperkes like Urchin that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Pekingese and the Schipperke can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Jack And Pinot is the name of another Pekingese (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Jake is an adorable Male Schipperke on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Pekingeses and Schipperkes are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Pekingeses and Schipperkes that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the Pekingese versus the Intelligence of the Schipperke

    Pekingese Schipperke
    Intelligence Rank 73 out of 130 dog breeds 15 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions

    Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.

    According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.
  • Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the Pekingese has an obedience intelligence rank of 73 out of 130 dog breeds. The Pekingese belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Pekingeses tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.

    The Schipperke has an obedience intelligence rank of 15 out of 130 dog breeds. The Schipperke belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Schipperkes tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.

    The Schipperke is more intelligent than the Pekingese.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    The Popularity of Pekingese versus Popularity of Schipperke

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Pekingese and the Schipperke over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Pekingese is more popular with dog owners than the Schipperke. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Pekingese is 86 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Schipperke is 109 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Pekingese

    Popularity of Pekingese

    Popularity of Schipperke

    Popularity of Schipperke

    Year Pekingese Popularity Rank Schipperke Popularity Rank
    2013 77 109
    2014 82 109
    2015 80 109
    2016 93 112
    2017 88 110
    2018 92 105
    2019 83 106
    2020 95 114

    Tolerates Being Alone: Pekingese versus Schipperke

    Pekingeses can be left alone only for a short time.

    Schipperkes can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Pekingeses shed more than Schipperkes?

    Pekingeses shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Schipperkes shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Pekingese or the Schipperke

    Pekingeses do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Schipperkes do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Pekingese or the Schipperke?

    Pekingeses require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Schipperkes are very easy to groom.

    Does the Pekingese Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Schipperke?

    Pekingeses have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Schipperkes have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Pekingeses Bark and Howl? What about Schipperkes?

    Pekingeses are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Schipperkes are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Pekingeses Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Schipperkes Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Pekingeses can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Schipperkes can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Pekingese vs. Schipperke

    Pekingeses have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Schipperkes have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Pekingeses Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Schipperkes Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Pekingeses cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Schipperkes cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pekingese or the Schipperke?

    Pekingeses do not get along well with other dogs.

    Schipperkes do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Pekingeses good family dogs? What about Schipperkes?

    Pekingeses are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Schipperkes are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Pekingeses and Schipperkes?

    Pekingeses do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Schipperkes get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Pekingese Easier to Train than the Schipperke?

    Pekingeses are fairly easy to train.

    Schipperkes are not easy to train.

    Is the Pekingese Better for Apartment Owners than the Schipperke?

    Pekingeses adapt very well to apartment living.

    Schipperkes adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Pekingese or the Schipperke?

    Pekingeses are very good for new dog owners.

    Schipperkes are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pekingese

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Pekingese that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Pekingese:

  • Dandie Dinmont Terrier (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Schipperke vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
  • Mal Shi (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Schipperke vs Mal Shi.
  • Pomeranian (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Schipperke vs Pomeranian.
  • Pomsky (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Schipperke vs Pomsky.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Schipperke

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Schipperke that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Schipperke:

  • Bluetick Coonhound (75 percent match with Schipperke). Here is our comparison of the Pekingese vs Bluetick Coonhound.
  • Lancashire Heeler (74 percent match with Schipperke). Here is our comparison of the Pekingese vs Lancashire Heeler.
  • Miniature Pinscher (75 percent match with Schipperke). Here is our comparison of the Pekingese vs Miniature Pinscher.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Pekingese and how the Schipperke compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Pekingese and of the Schipperke to other breeds:

    Pekingese Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pekingese versus Schnoodle     Pekingese versus Pomsky     Pekingese versus Doberman Pinscher     Pekingese versus German Shepherd Dog     Pekingese versus Portuguese Water Dog     Pekingese versus Bordoodle     Pekingese versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Pekingese versus Mountain Cur     Pekingese versus Miniature Schnauzer     Pekingese versus Standard Poodle     Pekingese versus Berger Picard     Pekingese versus Cavapoo     Pekingese versus Portuguese Water Dog     Pekingese versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Pekingese versus Lhasa Apso     Pekingese versus Brittany     Pekingese versus Harrier     Pekingese versus Mal Shi     Pekingese versus Irish Terrier     Pekingese versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Pekingese versus Shetland Sheepdog     Pekingese versus Australian Terrier     Pekingese versus Rottweiler     Pekingese versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Pekingese versus Whoodle     

    Schipperke Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Schipperke versus Affenhuahua     Schipperke versus Portuguese Pointer     Schipperke versus Chow Chow     Schipperke versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Schipperke versus Miniature Poodle     Schipperke versus Dachshund     Schipperke versus Belgian Sheepdog     Schipperke versus Shiranian     Schipperke versus Cockalier     Schipperke versus Toy Fox Terrier     Schipperke versus Finnish Spitz     Schipperke versus Pyredoodle     Schipperke versus Silky Terrier     Schipperke versus Finnish Lapphund     Schipperke versus Bichon Frise     Schipperke versus Morkie     Schipperke versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Schipperke versus Yorkshire Terrier     Schipperke versus Norwich Terrier     Schipperke versus Golden Retriever     Schipperke versus Berger Picard     Schipperke versus English Toy Spaniel     Schipperke versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Schipperke versus French Spaniel     

    Conclusion: Pekingese versus Schipperke. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Pekingese and the Schipperke better suits you and your family.