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Keeshond Dog Breed Information

Keeshond is a charming shaggy dog with endless fun inside, with the gloomiest day, it is colored into rainbow fireworks. This tireless fluffy is always sincerely happy about three things: communication with the owner, goodies in his own bowl, and easy walks in nature. Try these basic, according to the pet, needs every day and you will become the center of the universe for the Keeshond, and at the same time the most adored creature on the planet.

Brief Information

  • Breed name: Keeshond
  • Country of origin: Germany
  • Weight: 25-30 kg
  • Height (height at the withers): 43-55 cm
  • Life span: 14-15 years

Key Facts

  • Keeshond is called the best friend of mushroom pickers, fishermen, and picnic lovers because dogs love outings in nature, during which they can run around and satisfy curiosity.
  • Even a minimal level of aggression is unusual for the breed, so it is easy to make friends with a pet with any stranger.
  • Because of the sweet expression of the muzzle inherent in all representatives of the breed, Keeshond is called “smiling Dutchmen”.
  • The wool of the Keeshond, which is properly and systematically looked after, is devoid of an unpleasant canine smell.
  • The breed is not afraid of water and willingly swims in open reservoirs for the company with the owner.
  • Energy and extraversion from Keeshond gush like a fountain, so before you get such a dog, soberly assess your own capabilities.
  • All the descendants of the Wolfspitz are not averse to refreshing themselves once again, and often animals look into a bowl and beg for a tidbit simply out of boredom.
  • Keeshonds are intelligent and quick-witted dogs, but they are unfairly ranked 16th on Stanley Coren’s list of the smartest breeds.
  • Keeshond bored and left alone for a long time, entertains himself with sonorous barking and howling, so such four-legged friends are not suitable for careerists and workaholics who spend most of the day outside the home.
  • FCI does not recognize an independent breed in Keeshond and uses the standard of the German Spitz to describe their appearance.

History

At various dog shows, Keeshond is usually presented as a Dutch “version” of the German Spitz, which has been one of the most widespread European breeds since the 16th century. Initially, the aristocratic image of the dogs was not fixed, so the Wolfspitz played the role of ordinary mongrels: they hung around the farms and vineyards of German peasants, occasionally barking at strangers who violated the territorial boundaries.

It is not known exactly how and when exactly the ancestors of the Keeshond emigrated to the Netherlands, but they took root in a new place quickly and even managed to participate in the political life of the country – the breed was highly respected by the leader of the local party of patriots, Cornelius de Giselard. Subsequently, this involvement in the rebel movement cost the lives of thousands of dogs, which were exterminated simply because they had previously had the misfortune to please the rebel. However, it was not possible to completely destroy the breed, and the Dutch Keeshond continued to breed, gradually restoring their own numbers.

In 1880, German dog breeders standardized all varieties of Spitz, including Keeshond. In the future, the development of the breed took place not so much in the Netherlands as in England, Sweden, Australia, and the USA. As for the show career, it began for Keeshond in 1891, when several animals were presented at the Amsterdam exhibition. By that time, the Wolfspitz from the Netherlands had been renamed “barge dogs” due to the fact that they often cut the Dutch rivers with the owners of small boats.

In 1924, the first monobreed club, the Nederlandse Keeshond Club, began operating in the Netherlands, owing to its opening to Baroness van Hardenbrock, who at that time was considered the largest barge dog breeder in the country. And two years later, the Dutch Keeshond was registered by the UK Kennel Club.

Keeshond Breed Standard

Despite the fact that the FCI continues to see a variety of Wolfspitz in Keeshond and allows representatives of both families to be displayed in the same ring, there are significant differences in the appearance and character of the breeds, which are better known in advance. So, for example, the Keeshond, although considered the largest representatives in the Spitz group, are much more compact than their German cousins.

A more advantageous appearance is also an advantage of the “Dutch”, since at one time German breeders relied on practicality, preferring to develop working qualities in wolf spitz and not the glamor of appearance. There are different breeds and colors. The Keeshond has a richer color palette of wool and includes gray, black, and beige shades. But the fur coats of the German Spitz have a traditional wolf color, in which the hairs are gray and black and white.

Going for a walk with a Keeshond, get ready that passers-by will see a wide variety of breeds in your friend: from Chow-Chow to Caucasian Shepherd Dog. And the point here is not in cynological illiteracy, but in the unique feature of the “Dutch” at the same time to resemble representatives of several dog groups at once.

  • Head
    The Keeshond has a medium-sized head, wide in the occipital part and acquiring a wedge-shaped shape near the muzzle. The stop is smooth, turning into a harmonious short muzzle (the ratio of the muzzle length to the cranial part of the head is 2: 3).
  • Nose
    All representatives of the breed have around the miniature black lobe.
  • Jaws, lips
    The small jaws of the Keeshond are closed either in a scissor bite or in a tick-like (less preferred option) bite. The dog’s lips are black, well-fitting, without pronounced folds.
  • Eyes
    Dark, oblique set of eyes are small and oval in shape. The eyelids of the animal are black.
  • Ears
    The Keeshond’s tiny ears are triangular in shape and have a hard, pointed tip. The earpiece is fixed in an upright position, which gives the dog a perky and mischievous look.
  • Neck
    The necks of the purebred representatives of the breed have a convex scruff but are completely devoid of dewlap.
  • Housing
    The high withers of the Keeshonda passes into a wide short back, ending in the same short and massive croup. The animal’s chest is harmoniously developed, the belly is slightly tucked up.
  • Limbs
    Wolfspitz brethren have wide, straight legs with long shoulder blades and muscular hips. The articulation angles are moderate, although the knee joints themselves are powerful. Metatarsus and pasterns are strong, but not long. Keeshond’s paws are small, “feline”, with black claws. The front legs are as rounded as possible, the hind legs are more oval.
  • Tail
    The high-set tail of the dog at the base is turned up and forward and thrown on the back.

Coat and Color

Wool
Representatives of the Spitz clan, including the Keeshond, have a double coat, formed by a thick layer of thickest undercoat and a puffy top coat. The tail and the area around the neck are most abundantly pubescent, which gives the dog’s silhouette a pleasant roundness.

Color
The FCI standard provides for the same type of color for Keeshond as for Wolfspitz (wolf). However, upon closer inspection, it is noticeable that the “Dutch” has a richer shade of wool due to a small percentage of creamy hairs (the Wolfspitz hair is silvery-gray with a black tip).

The dog’s muzzle and ears are colored darker than the body. A black border of wool is formed around the eyes, and above the eyes, the same dark wool forms expressive eyebrows. The hair on the mane and shoulders of the Keeshond is lighter than in the area of ​​the body. The legs and thighs have a sophisticated silver-gray tone.

Defects and Disqualifying Vices

Keeshond of any gender cannot participate in the exhibition if he has:

  • semi-erect ears;
  • rolled or inverted eyelids;
  • there are white spots on the coat;
  • ungrown fontanelle;
  • there are deviations from the bite types allowed by the standard;
  • shy or aggressive behavior.

They cannot count on good grades of individuals with obvious defects in appearance that cast doubt on their breed. For example, keeshond with a flat or rounded apple-shaped skull. Animals with large light eyes, a pink nose, and an incomplete set of teeth are also considered defective, as are pets that do not have a pronounced black and gray “pattern” on the face.

Personality

 

Keeshond is a dog for those who need an easy-going companion, as well as a playful companion for play and close emotional interaction. These fluffy, spherical “Dutchmen” are in constant spiritual dependence on the owner and his family members. Well, more specifically, the Wolfspitz relative will always prefer the company of a person to a canine society.

Keeshond is extremely peaceful and gets along easily with anyone. He does not bully pets (unless you yourself are pushing the pet to such actions) and is ready to be friends with everyone who showed attention to him. The only thing that can disappoint and offend a dog is the psychological atmosphere reigning around it. Remember, Keeshond is uncomfortable where they constantly shout and talk in a raised voice, as well as where they do not pay attention to him, giving him the opportunity to entertain himself on his own.

Keeshonds, like cats, are tied to housing and practically do not sin with escapes. But these fluffy “mini-wolves” are sincerely happy to play, especially if the place of entertainment is transferred outside the home walls. In general, the correct Keeshond is such a shaggy extrovert who cares about everyone and everything and whose mission is to have an exceptionally positive attitude around. As an example: abroad, Keeshond, along with Golden Retrievers and Labradors, are attracted to Canis therapy, and this says a lot since only the most emotionally stable representatives of the canine genus are selected for such procedures.

The breed gets along well with children. Of course, it would be naive to expect that the pet will calm the bursting newborn baby, but the fact that the dog will find something to do and captivate the kindergartner is a fact. However, it is not recommended to abuse the good nature of the four-legged friend. If the animal has lain down to rest, it is unreasonable and cruel to “jerk” it because someone wanted to have some fun. Don’t forget the Dutch are great animators, but not servile jesters.

Education and Training

If the Wolfspitz is a friend, colleague, and a bit of a hard worker, faithfully guarding the owner’s property, then his Dutch cousin is a smiley dog ​​and a cheerful altruist, who must be gradually introduced to any work activity. And although the intellect of the breed is more than in order, it will still have to be engaged in the search for specific approaches to education and training.

Keep in mind that Keeshond should not be pressured and forced to do something from under the stick. Like all breeds, the relatives of the German Spitz cannot stand menacing shouts and the overly intrusive dominance of the owner. And this happens not because the dog wants to play the role of alpha itself, but because an unusual model of behavior is imposed on it.

Remember also that the breed has not historically been a watchdog, and do not expect it to become one if a professional dog handler takes care of its representative. You can teach the Keeshond to bark at a stranger who has invaded your possessions, but instilling in him the aggression and suspicion of a “Caucasian” is a deliberately impossible task. Accordingly, if you need a furry guard with the makings of a defender, such requirements are definitely not for Keeshond.

It is possible and necessary to teach a four-legged prankster but based on his addictions. To instill in your pet basic skills in the game and do not delay with the duration of the lessons. The best option is to break the lesson into five minutes, between which it is useful to maintain long pauses of 10-15 minutes. It is important to understand: Keeshond is not a breed that will endure and do dull exercises in order to please someone. Nevertheless, the animal will have enough strength and talents to deal with the intricacies of OKD and to develop an interest in agility and freestyle, if these disciplines are correctly, and most importantly, captivatingly presented.

As for the rules of home etiquette, then the “Dutch” have no difficulties. Keeshonds are by nature clean, so they quickly learn to use a tray or a diaper for their intended purpose and agree to endure in critical situations when access to a street toilet is blocked. It is not difficult to wean the dog from the owner’s pursuit and insistent calls to play if this is inconvenient for the owner. In such cases, you need to kindly but firmly refuse the ward. Do not worry, the dog will not be stressed, the animal will simply turn its attention to another object or go to rest and wait for it to be called again.

Care and Maintenance

The ancestors of the Keeshond were ordinary yard dogs that lived in kennels, or even generally under the walls of sheds. Today, “smiling Dutchmen” are more often kept in homes because it is easier to maintain their glamorous image. The only nuance that will have to be taken into account is the poor tolerance of animals to high temperatures. Having lived for too long in the damp climate of Holland and Foggy Albion, the Keeshond have managed to adapt to it and now prefer a pleasant coolness to the heat. By the way, this is another reason why it is undesirable to keep a dog in a city apartment – four-legged friends are demanding not only for the freedom of space but also for the temperature regime, which in such rooms is difficult to adjust to the desired level of Keeshond.

Hygiene

The coat of barge dogs acts as a natural temperature regulator, thanks to which the animals do not freeze on cool days and do not overheat in the heat. However, if the condition of the hair is not monitored, it quickly loses its magical properties. In particular, the keeshond needs combing, without which his coat accumulates excess fat and gets dirty, thereby preventing air circulation in the wool layers. On the other hand, wolf spitz relatives practically do not form tangles, and this is already a significant plus for owners who do not want to burden themselves with the daily care of a four-legged rascal.

Keeshondam haircuts are contraindicated as they change the hair structure and expose the undercoat, making the body more vulnerable. An exception is made only for elderly individuals, which, due to their age, suffer more from high temperatures. True, it is not worth getting too carried away here, and in general, it is wiser to choose a lion’s “hairstyle” for the dog that preserves the breed characteristics of appearance. Hair is not shortened for young and healthy animals, but for hygienic reasons, hairs are cut between the fingers and around the anal area.

The topcoat of the Keeshond sheds moderately throughout the year, so if you do not want to find shaggy “marks” on the floor, do not neglect weekly brushing. The undercoat also needs care. Once every six months, this natural “insulation” sheds profusely, so you need to get rid of it. By the way, trimming the animal is undesirable. Better to go over the fur coat with a fine comb or brush, which can be enhanced with a brushing spray or antistatic agent from a pet store.

Surprisingly, but you can maintain a stylish image of Keeshond practically without washing. Of course, if you are the owner of a show pet, you cannot do without an arsenal of shampoos, balms, and conditioners, as well as going to the groomer. But the majority of pet individuals easily put up with the absence of bathing days, therefore it is recommended to wash a fluffy friend using special animal products only if his wool is dirty and exudes an unpleasant amber. In other cases, it is easy to replace the shower with a thorough brushing.

Keeshond’s eyes and ears are hassle-free, but occasional cleaning and wiping are necessary for them too, so don’t skimp on ophthalmic lotions and ear fluids. The dog needs to brush his teeth at least twice a week, and once a month the Keeshond is supposed to cut and polish his claws.

Feeding

Keeshond is still that fan of belly stuffing, but this is not a reason to be moved and feed the pet from a basin. The breed has a hereditary tendency to obesity, so all attempts to please the dog with additives and high-calorie delicacies lead to a set of extra pounds and trips to veterinary offices. The calorie content of the Keeshond diet should be of a pronounced seasonal nature. In winter, the “Dutchman” is obliged to get more meat and offal (up to 500 g per day), but in the summer it is more useful to unload the digestive tract with a modest 300 g of animal protein.

The standard weight of the daily ration of Keeshond is 750-900 g. Usually, the menu includes the same products that are allowed for other dogs: cereals (oatmeal, buckwheat, rice), vegetables (except potatoes and broccoli), low-fat dairy products, egg yolks. A complete ban on consumption applies to any food from the master’s table, sweets, sausages, and smoked meats, bones, raw fish, fruits (citrus fruits, grapes, pomegranates), semolina, and fatty pork.

Usually, puppies are distributed at two months of age, just at the time when the babies can be transferred to four meals a day. Further, the need to reduce the number of meals of the animal falls entirely on the owner. By the way, do not forget that a 9-month-old Keeshond should eat no more than twice a day.

For owners who prefer to keep pets on dry food, we can recommend super-premium and holistic-class brands, and special attention should be paid to cereals in the composition, which should be as small as possible in the “drying”. It is normal if the feed includes grains of rice (white or brown) and not very well if the main grain additive is wheat. Another important nuance: some expensive food can affect the shade of the Keeshond’s coat, which can be a serious nuisance for the owners of show individuals – at the exhibition, the tone of the dogs’ coat is examined meticulously.

Health

It is believed that, in contrast to the Wolfspitz, Keeshondas suffered less from selection experiments and, accordingly, have better health. However, the breed has several serious hereditary ailments. One of them is hip dysplasia. The disease is transmitted from producers to offspring, therefore, breeders who value their reputation are examining breeds for the presence of this ailment.

The subluxation of the patella, which is often found in Keeshond, can be both genetic and mechanical. Often, the disease develops as a result of an injury that was not noticed in a timely manner by the owner. Some representatives of the breed may have von Willebrand disease – a violation of the blood coagulation process.

Malfunctions of the thyroid gland and an insufficient amount of hormones produced by it lead to the development of hypothyroidism, which Keeshond puppies inherit from their parents. But epilepsy, which several decades ago was considered the scourge of the breed, is less common today. However, when buying a puppy, it will be useful to clarify information about epileptic seizures in a bitch and a stud dog.

How to Choose a Puppy

  • It is pointless to choose a Keeshond puppy by gender. Representatives of this breed do not have pronounced “girls” and “boy” character traits. At the same time, males are endowed with a more textured appearance, while bitches are distinguished by a pleasant grace of physique.
  • Ask the breeder for the results of examining offspring for genetic ailments – dysplasia, patella, hypothyroidism.
  • Look for a breeder who is ready to give up a puppy no earlier than 8 weeks old – at this age, babies are ready to painlessly part with their mother and brothers.
  • Evaluate the conditions of keeping Keeshond, giving preference to nurseries where they practice suburban farming and do not lock animals in cages and cramped apartments.
  • If you are looking to get a show dog, look for breeders offering 4-month-old puppies. At this age, the exhibition potential of Keeshond is better seen.
  • Pay close attention to the puppy’s color. Unroll the coat, assess the thickness and uniformity of the undercoat, and immediately refuse to buy if even a tiny white speck is found on the coat – this is a serious defect that casts doubt on the breed of the litter.

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