Keeshond

The Keeshond (KAZE-hond) is a happy dog by nature. They are extremely affectionate. When a Keeshond joins the family, he looks forward to being an important part of it. He loves children and will gladly play games and bounce around with them.

Keeshond breed facts

The Keeshond is the national dog of Holland.

faction in Holland during political unrest in the years immediately preceding the French Revolution.

Information you should know before owning a Keeshond

The Keeshond is a handsome, intelligent companion dog distinguished by a friendly, outgoing temperament and a lively interest in the world around him.

They do not need a lot of exercise as they expend most of their energy bouncing about in one place. They are ideal pets and companions who are playful and affectionate and show a true love of life.

The breed served for countless years on small vessels called rijnaken, that were found in great numbers on the Rhine River. The origin is Arctic, or possibly Sub-Arctic, and it is of the same strains that produced the Samoyed, the Chow Chow, the Norwegian Elkhound, the Finnish Spitz, and the Pomeranian. The Keeshond has changed little in the past two centuries.

In the latter part of the 18th century, he was in the public eye as the symbol of the Patriots, and when the Prince of Orange established his party as the dominant one, few people wanted the dog that stood for the opposition. Many who owned Keeshonden disposed of them quietly, and only the most loyal maintained the breed. The breed was at very low ebb until 1920, at which time the Baroness van Hardenbroek became so interested in the old breed that she undertook an investigation to see how much of the old stock survived. The breed had passed from public attention, but it was still kept in its original form by certain captains of riverboats, by farmers and by truckmen. The Baroness began breeding Keeshonden and spread their story throughout Europe. Within ten years she brought the breed to such a solid position that the Dutch Keeshond Club was established.

As early as 1925, Keeshonden were in England and making a very good impression. The breed was accepted for registration by the American Kennel Club in 1930, and early development in this country, with few exceptions, was based on imports from England, which were in turn the product of British importations from Holland and Germany.

Is this a vulnerable breed? Yes, No	No
What size is this dog? Small, Medium, Large	Medium
How much excercise is required? 30 mins a day, 1 hour a day, Over 2 hours a day	1 hour a day
How long is this dog's coat? Short, Medium, Long	Medium
How much grooming is required? Once a week, More than once a week, Every day	Every day
Does this dog shed? Does shed, Does not shed	Does shed
What area is this dog best suited to? Town, Country, Either	Either
What size house is required for this breed? Flat/Apartment, Small House, Large House	Small House
What size of garden is required? Small Garden, Large Garden, No Garden	Small garden

	General Appearance Short, compact body, confident carriage. Fox-like head with small pointed ears, alert expression, large ruff, well feathered tail curled over back.
	Characteristics Sturdy, intelligent and adaptable, ideal companion, good guard, shows boldly.
	Temperament Bold, alert, friendly with marked guarding tendency.
	Eyes Dark, medium size, almond-shaped, obliquely set. Well defined ’spectacles‘ shown as a delicately pencilled black line slanting from outer corner of eye to lower corner of ear, coupled with distinct marking and shading forming expressive short eyebrows.
	Mouth Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Lips black.
	Neck Moderately long and arched, covered with thick, profuse coat forming large ruff.
	Forequarters Shoulders well sloped. Straight front of medium width with good bone.
	Body Short, compact; length from withers to tail equal to height at withers, well sprung in rib. Good depth of brisket.
	Hindquarters Strong muscled, hindlegs straight when viewed from behind. Hock showing slight angulation when viewed from side, profuse light-coloured trousers down to hocks.
	Feet Well padded, round, cat-like, tight, cream in colour; black nails.
	Tail Moderately long, high-set, tightly curled over back, double curl highly desirable. Light plume on top where curled, with black tip, carried closely at all times.
	Gait / Movement Short, compact body, confident carriage. Fox-like head with small pointed ears, alert expression, large ruff, well feathered tail curled over back.
	Coat Harsh, off standing, straight. Dense ruff, well feathered on forelegs and profuse trousers, not feathered below hock. Soft, thick, light-coloured (not tawny) undercoat. Never silky, wavy or woolly, nor forming a parting on back.
	Colour A mixture of grey and black. Undercoat very pale grey or cream (not tawny). All shades of grey acceptable, body hairs black tipped. Shoulder markings well defined and all markings definite. Forelegs and hocks cream with no black below wrist or hock. Pencilling acceptable.
	Size Ideal height: dogs: 46 cms (18 ins); bitches: 43 cms (17 ins).