Health
The Schipperke has no particular health problems, and individuals often reach the old age of 17 or 18 years. A UK Kennel Club survey puts the median lifespan of the breed at 13 years old. Of the 36 deceased dogs in the survey, the oldest dog lived to 17 1/2 years. Nonetheless, inactivity, lack of exercise and over-feeding are very harmful, and can lead to joint and skeletal problems and tooth, heart, lung or digestive conditions.
The one caveat to the Schipperke's good health is MPS IIIB, a genetic mutation that occurs in at most 15% of the total breed population. The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine has developed a test for the disease and began accepting samples in April 2003.
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