schipperke

[ skip-er-kee, -kuh ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

one of a Belgian breed of small dogs having erect ears and a thick, black coat, originally used as a watchdog on boats in the Netherlands and Belgium.

schipperke

/ ˈskɪp-; ˈʃɪpəkɪ /

a small Dutch breed of tailless dog with a foxy head, pricked ears, and usually a black coat

1885–90; < dialectal Dutch: little boatman, equivalent to schipper skipper ¹ + -ke -kin

C19: from Dutch, literally: little boatman (from its use as a guard dog on canal barges). See skipper ¹

One of these dogs was a Schipperke, the breed kept by the bargemen of Belgium to guard their goods and chattels.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Browse