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FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Schipperke

The Schipperke is a small dog with an enormous engine — a curious, busy little spitz that burns energy all day and is prone to dental trouble and stiff little knees as it ages. That combination makes how you feed one matter more than its 10-to-16-pound frame suggests.

Here is exactly how to feed a Schipperke on freeze-dried raw: by weight and life stage, with the protein, omega-3s and tooth-friendly nutrition that keep this little captain lean, sharp and sound.

  • Adult weight10–16 lb
  • SizeSmall
  • EnergyHigh
  • Lifespan12–16 years
  • CoatBlack double coat — seasonal heavy shedder
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A healthy Schipperke
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a Schipperke's body needs

Every Schipperke trait comes back to one thing: how you feed them. Here's what matters most.

  • Small body, high energy

    Needs: Calorie-dense, nutrient-rich food

    At 83% meat, organs and bone, freeze-dried raw packs real nutrition into the small portions a 10–16 lb dog can actually eat — fuel for an all-day busybody without bulky filler.

  • Prone to dental disease

    Needs: Low-starch, whole-food diet

    Small breeds build plaque fast. Minimally processed raw skips the starchy carbs that feed mouth bacteria, supporting cleaner teeth between brushings.

  • Patellar luxation & joint risk

    Needs: Lean weight + joint nutrients

    Real bone and cartilage supply natural glucosamine and chondroitin, and keeping a Schipperke lean takes pressure off those small, slip-prone knees.

  • Dense black double coat, sheds twice a year

    Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids

    Whole-food animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from the inside, easing the heavy spring and fall shedding this breed is known for.

  • Weight creeps on quietly

    Needs: Measured, by-weight portions

    On a small dog a few extra treats go a long way. Feeding measured freeze-dried raw by weight keeps a Schipperke at a lean, knee-friendly body condition.

How much to feed a Schipperke

Quick answer: a healthy adult Schipperke (10–16 lb) needs about 1.5–2.4 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split across two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry — so it's much less by volume than kibble. Feed to a lean waistline and adjust every few weeks.

Ideal adult weightFreeze-dried per dayPer meal (×2)
10 lb 1.5 oz 0.8 oz
12 lb typical Schipperke 1.8 oz 0.9 oz
14 lb 2.1 oz 1.1 oz
16 lb 2.4 oz 1.2 oz

Starting points for a moderately active adult (~0.15 oz of freeze-dried per lb of ideal weight). Active dogs need a little more, couch companions a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.

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What to feed a Schipperke

For a Schipperke we recommend complete freeze-dried raw as the daily base — real meat, organs and ground bone with no heat-processed filler — or as a topper while you transition.

Lean single-protein recipes like Chicken or Wild-Caught Cod suit this weight-prone breed, while omega-rich Salmon supports the dense black coat through shedding season. Just add water and serve.

Recipes for Schipperkes

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Daily support for Schipperkes

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Treats Schipperkes love

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Feeding a Schipperke by life stage

  • Puppy: Schipperke puppies have tiny stomachs and fast metabolisms — feed at least three small meals a day to keep blood sugar steady, at roughly 5–7% of current body weight, adjusting as they grow.
  • Adult: Feed to a lean, visible waist across two measured meals. Use the chart below as a starting point and adjust to body condition, not the bag.
  • Senior: Activity eases but appetite rarely does. Trim portions to protect those knees, keep protein high to preserve lean muscle, and lean into omega-3 and joint-supporting nutrition.

Common Schipperke concerns — and the diet connection

  • Dental diseaseCommon in small breeds — a low-starch, whole-food raw diet avoids the sugars that fuel plaque and supports cleaner teeth alongside regular brushing.
  • Patellar luxationLargely structural, but a lean body and the natural glucosamine and chondroitin in real bone and cartilage support joint comfort and ease load on the kneecaps.
  • Legg-Calvé-Perthes diseaseAffects the hip in young Schipperkes; keeping growing pups lean and well-nourished with real protein supports healthy bone and joint development.
  • Skin & coat healthThe dense double coat thrives on omega-3 fatty acids from whole-food animal and fish fats, which feed the skin barrier and ease heavy seasonal shedding.
  • Weight & lean muscleA small, energetic dog runs best on clean animal protein and fat for steady energy and muscle — not on the carbohydrate fillers that quietly add pounds.

Diet supports health but doesn't replace veterinary care — ask your vet about any specific condition.

Feeding a Schipperke: what to know

Schipperkes are small enough that a single overfed scoop adds up fast. Weigh portions instead of eyeballing them, and feed to body condition — you should feel the ribs easily and see a waist from above.

Their busy, curious nature means food is also a chance for enrichment: serve meals in a snuffle mat or slow feeder to engage the brain that, left bored, turns to barking, digging and chewing.

Schipperke feeding questions

How much should I feed my Schipperke?
A healthy adult Schipperke (10–16 lb) needs roughly 1.5–2.5 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split between two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry, so it is far less by volume than kibble — feed to a lean waistline and adjust every few weeks.
What is the best food for a Schipperke that gains weight easily?
A measured, complete freeze-dried raw diet of lean single proteins like Chicken or Cod makes portion control easy and keeps calories honest. On a small dog, weigh each meal and feed to body condition rather than appetite.
How do I switch my Schipperke to raw?
Transition over 7–10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. Because raw is rich and Schipperkes are small, start at the lower end of the range and watch the waistline.
Is raw food good for a Schipperke's teeth?
A low-starch, whole-food raw diet avoids the carbohydrates that feed plaque-forming bacteria, which supports cleaner teeth — though it does not replace daily brushing and routine dental care for this plaque-prone breed.
Does a Schipperke need omega-3 or joint support?
Many benefit from both. Omega-3s support the dense double coat through heavy seasonal shedding, while real bone and cartilage plus a lean body help protect the small, luxation-prone knees this breed is known for.

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  • Vet-formulated
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  • Pathogen-tested every batch

  • "Knowing exactly how much to feed took all the guesswork out. He's leaner, with more energy on our walks."

    — Jenna & Cooper

  • "My picky rescue finally runs to the bowl — and cleanup in the yard is a fraction of what it was."

    — Priya & Luna
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Portions are starting points for freeze-dried raw and AAFCO complete-and-balanced recipes. Always feed to your individual dog's body condition and ask your vet about specific health needs.