ICKS kennel

A young Molly in Gotland

The Schipperke came into our lives in 2013 when we became the happy owners of Molly.
After a life with dogs of different breeds such as dachshunds, labrador and border collie. we were looking for a new breed.
We listed our requirements and started looking through all the breeds. We quickly fell in love with the Schipperke.

Asta with Klara

Robust both physically and mentally, not crazy about swimming, not a hunting dog, a dog that could keep up on long trips both in the forest and in the summer and winter mountains. We thought it was a bit small at first, but once we had met a few Schipperkes we realized that this is a dog that, despite its small size, is mentally a big dog. Now after a few years we have realized how practical it is to have a small dog. A dog that can go everywhere.

Dogs in a pack act differently than a lone dog

Molly and Asta practice jumping in the forest

When Molly was three years old, we were convinced that she met the requirements to become the mother dog for the small-format kennel we had started. Lotta toke courses arranged by "Svenska Kennelklubben":

- "Breeders education", 2016/2017
- "Dog Behavior", 2020
- "Dog Breeding and Genetics", 2021
- "More Mentality - Understanding, Interpreting and Affecting Dog Behavior", 2021
- "Fear in Dogs", 2023.

During 2022 and 2023, Lotta attended training to become a BPH official and is now constantly learning more about dog mentality by working as a test leader at BPH descriptions in Örkelljunga.

Since animal behavior, especially dog behavior, is such a big interest, I have also started studying at university. In 2023 I took 15 credits in "Ethology", "Dog Evolution, Genetics and Behavior" 7.5 credits and part 1 of "Dog Behavioral Biology" 7.5 credits. In 2024 I continued to study parts 2 and 3 of "Dog Behavioral Biology" 15 credits and "Animal Psychology" 15 credits.

Tokaj is exploring the world

Initially, we plan to breed on a very small scale with one litter every two years. For us, mentality is very important. We hope that all puppy buyers, with our support, will want to mentally describe their dogs. This will be an important tool to see that our puppies have the mentality we strive for. Of course, the breeding dogs should also be healthy, sound and externally correct.

We like Schipperke of the "older European model" and will mainly breed on "traditional European" lines. In terms of size, our Schipperke have had an adult weight between 5 and 9 kilos.

Tokaj o Asta in full control over what is happening in their surroundings

Most Schipperkes are born with long tails. In the past, tails were docked, but fortunately this is no longer allowed in Sweden. If you see a Schipperke with a short tail, it is probably born with a bobtail gene. The dogs then have a short tail, a stump tail or no tail at all. This is due to a dominant mutation in the so called TBox-gene. The mutation is lethal if the dog gets it in a double set, so all Schipperkes with bobtails only have the gene in a single set (heterozygous form).

Recently, it has become quite popular even in Sweden to have a Schipperke without a tail. These dogs are also often successful in shows. So there is nothing wrong with a Schipperke having no tail, but if you want a Schipperke without a tail, you should turn to another breeder. I only breed dogs with long tails. For me, the tail is an obvious part of the dog. Since I have become a nerd in dog behavior and communication, I cannot imagine a dog that is missing this important part of its body. The tail is not only important for the dog's communication but also for balance. In addition, I think dogs with tails are so much more beautiful.

Tokaj at agility competition

Puppy cuddle

We are primarily ordinary dog owners who have our dogs as family members and like to do fun things with them. This breeding and kennel thing is something that came about as an extra interest and source of joy. When I started thinking about having a litter after Molly, my interest grew and I now find it very exciting to plan breeding that contributes to improving the breed. I see it as a big responsibility to breed dogs, it is important to think carefully about what you are doing so that you are breeding really good dogs. Then it is so much fun. First and foremost, to experience the birth and the first time of these wonderful puppies with their mother, but then also to get in touch with all the lovely puppy buyers and through them continue to follow the puppies and see how they develop. The more contact with the puppy buyers, the more fun.

The dogs like to hang out with us in the forest as well as in the mountains.

ICKS kennel

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