📚 Education & Resources

Health testing is a critical component of responsible breeding and long-term breed preservation.

The Canine Health Information Center (CHIC), administered by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), provides standardized health testing recommendations for Schipperkes.

A CHIC number indicates that a dog has completed the required screenings and that results are publicly available, supporting transparency within the breed.

Recommended health testing includes:
• Hips
• Patellas
• Thyroid
• Cardiac
• Eyes

Strongly recommended:
• Full genetic panel testing such as Embark to evaluate inherited conditions, carrier status, and genetic diversity

We strongly encourage all breeders to make health testing results publicly accessible through OFA.

Public health testing through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) allows breeders and owners to verify results and make informed decisions.

A CHIC number confirms that a dog has completed the recommended health screenings and that those results are accessible for review.

Transparency is a cornerstone of responsible breeding and long-term breed preservation.

Advancing the health of the Schipperke depends on continued participation in genetic research.

The Foundation supports and encourages involvement in studies focused on conditions such as epilepsy, MPS IIIB, coat disorders, and other inherited diseases affecting the breed.

DNA testing platforms such as Embark provide valuable insights into:
• Genetic health risks
• Carrier status
• Breed diversity
• Trait inheritance

Participation in research contributes directly to improving the long-term health and sustainability of the breed.

Foundation-supported efforts have included hands-on DNA collection and participation in large-scale genetic studies.

Programs such as Embark allow for screening of hundreds of genetic markers, helping identify health risks, carrier status, and important breed traits.

These efforts provide valuable data that supports ongoing research and helps guide responsible breeding decisions.

The Schipperke community has played an important role in supporting epilepsy research, including studies conducted through the University of Missouri.

Participation in these studies helps researchers better understand seizure disorders and work toward improved diagnostics, management, and potential treatments.

Owner and breeder involvement is essential to advancing this work.

The Schipperke community has contributed to and supported important research initiatives aimed at improving breed health.

Highlighted efforts include:
• University of Missouri Epilepsy Study
• MPS IIIB research and testing through the University of Pennsylvania
• Coat and alopecia studies
• Ongoing DNA-based research through Embark

These studies rely on participation from dedicated owners and breeders and play a vital role in advancing scientific understanding within the breed.

For accurate and up-to-date information, we recommend the following organizations:

• Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)
• Canine Health Information Center (CHIC)
• AKC Canine Health Foundation
• University-based veterinary research programs

These organizations provide science-based guidance, research updates, and tools to support informed decision-making for both owners and breeders.

We believe education should be transparent, accessible, and grounded in science.

By sharing knowledge and supporting research, we empower the Schipperke community to make informed decisions that benefit both individual dogs and the breed as a whole.

Education continues to evolve as new research emerges. The Foundation remains committed to supporting advancements and sharing meaningful, accurate information with the community.