A Schipperke (; Dutch: [ˈsxɪpərkə]) is a small breed of dog that is believed to have originated in the 1600s in Belgium. There has been a long informal debate over whether this type of dog is a spitz or miniature sheepdog. In their home country of Belgium they are considered a small shepherd. DNA research has shown that Schipperkes have a close relationship to the Spitz family of dog breeds.