Diana Myers
At the end of the last century and the beginning of this century, the Dutch Schapendoes was found in the Netherlands wherever there were moors and flocks of sheep. Find out everything about behavior, character, activity and exercise needs, training, and care of the Schapendoes dog breed in the profile.
The shepherds valued him for his tireless enthusiasm for work and his intelligence. He belongs to the diverse group of long-haired shepherd dogs with densely hairy heads. It is related to the Bearded Collie, the Puli, the Owczarek Nizinny, the Bobtail, the Briard, the Bergamasque, and the German Schafspudel. In 1954 the standard was set and a studbook was started. Final recognition came in 1971.
General Appearance
The Dutch Schapendoes is a slightly built, long-haired dog. The dense coat is a good 7 cm long and slightly wavy and tends to stand up in tufts. The lush hair makes the head appear larger and broader than it is. According to the breed standard, all coat colors are allowed.
Behavior and temperament
Anyone who decides on a Schapendoes usually has to wait for a little for one of the coveted puppies. But it’s worth it because you get a happy and happy dog that goes through thick and thin with its owners and also looks daring. The four-legged friend with the funny curly head gets along well with fellow animals and other animals have the character of a real optimist and can be trained to be a reliable companion for children.
Need for exercise and employment
As a former working dog, the shaggy bundle of energy still needs a lot of exercises and ideally also a task that corresponds to its nature. The dog has a great will to work and also likes to work independently. Also part of his nature is the need to always be close to his family and to maintain strong social connections. So the Schapendoes is not a dog that should be left alone for several hours every day. Since he is extremely intelligent, he will be able to cope with this situation, but he will be unhappy with it. He is an absolute family dog who fits in perfectly and feels good in an environment with many different people.
Upbringing
As former shepherds, the dogs are characterized by a high level of independence. Therefore, the upbringing should be varied, but consistent and sensitive. The breed is still considered easy to handle because the Schapendoes shows a high tolerance towards his environment and forgives his people so many mistakes in the upbringing. Due to these positive qualities, this dog is also suitable for beginners.
Maintenance
His shaggy, harsh hair requires less maintenance than it might appear at first glance. It is usually sufficient to brush the dog once a week.
Disease Susceptibility / Common Diseases
The Schapendoes is still very robust and original. Luckily there are no diseases typical of the breed.
Did you know?
Before it was recognized as a pedigree dog, the Schapendoes were known under various names. The tribe was almost wiped out in the Second World War, the offspring began with a handful of specimens, and the development of the breed continues to this day.