The Keeshond is typical of the spitz type, with a foxy face, prick ears, thick stand-off coat and a plumed tail that curls over the back. The coat forms a huge and spectacular ruff around the neck and chest. This is a medium sized dog, under the plush coat they are a lean, muscular and sturdy dog.
The Keeshond breed can suffer from:
- Primary hyperparathyroidism which is a problem with the parathyroid gland which can affect the bones and kidneys.
- Epilepsy¹ which is a condition where abnormal brain function can lead to seizures which damage the brain.
Priority Kennel Club health schemes and testing:
- DNA testing for primary hyperparathyroidism which tests whether or not a dog has the potential to be affected by this condition.
Alert, cheerful and described as impertinent by those who know the breed well, the Keeshond is still a natural watchdog, and remains very keen to let their owners know that trouble is a-foot! Friendly and companionable and very adept at living in small spaces, they are often called the ‘Smiling Dutchman’ due to their appealing bright eyed, happy face.
| Family-friendly: | 5/5 |
| Exercise needs: | 3/5 |
| Easy to train: | 4/5 |
| Tolerates being alone: | 2/5 |
| Likes other pets: | 5/5 |
| Energy level: | 4/5 |
| Grooming needs: | 3/5 |
| Shedding: | 5/5 |
Closely linked to other spitz types such as the German Wolfspitz and the Pomeranian, the Keeshond takes his name from Kees de Gyselaer, the leader of the 18th century Dutch Patriots party. Their original function was as a working guard and companion, living and working on the Dutch barges. For this reason, they are also known as the Dutch Barge Dog and it is under this name that they were first shown in the UK in 1923. It is likely they also performed useful functions as ratters and vermin deterrents but their main job was to bark and alert their owners to intruders.
Keeshond owners understand that beneath the fluffy-wolfy exterior there lies a clever, quick and potentially loud watchdog who requires lots of training, exercise and entertainment. Suited to rural dwellers and those home most of the day, as their vocal nature will not endear them (or you) to close neighbours! You’ll also need to be active and capable of walks whatever the weather, and able to groom your Keeshond frequently or that fluffy coat will mat.
The Keeshond is happy with an hour of dog exercise a day although will enjoy more if you are willing to offer it. With their dense coat, the Keeshond is not deterred by extreme weather, even if you are, so they are very much an all-weather dog. Exercise should include keeping the Keeshond well occupied with training, puzzle solving and other dog related activities as otherwise they will go self-employed in a very vocal manner.
Bred to live in the confined living quarters aboard the Dutch barges, the Keeshond does not require a large house however they do shed like all the spitz types, so you may prefer more space with your Keeshond! A secure garden is a must as this is an agile, clever and intelligent breed that can climb, dig and squeeze through anything but the most robust of fencing.
Rural or quiet suburban living is best as the Keeshond feels the need to bark about anything they can hear or see moving, anything they believe to be suspicious and anyone they suspect to be up to no good which can be irritating for owners and downright unpleasant for neighbours.
The Keeshond needs to have a balanced diet including all the main nutrient groups and a constant supply of fresh water. It's also important to conduct regular body condition scores to ensure you keep your dog in ideal shape and remember to feed your pet at least twice daily and in accordance with the feeding guidelines of their particular food.
The thick, stand-off, harsh coat of the Keeshond is profuse and can be time-consuming to keep in good order. Daily brushing will keep on top of any tangles and prevent the coat becoming unmanageable and a huge chore. Bathing is likely to be infrequent but expect it to be a lengthy process to wash this dog to the skin and then dry them fully. It may be wise to accustom a puppy to the professional grooming salon early on, so that if this is necessary you can let the professionals do the work. Check paws daily for debris or matting. Find out more about dog grooming and daily care with our article.
Training the Keeshond is a matter of engaging and motivating them to believe they want to do whatever it is you wanted them to do, that it was in fact their idea in the first place! Achieve this with cunning use of positive reinforcement, using toys and food to reward them well for behaviour you like. Careful socialisation with people, other animals and habituation to a variety of situations is important as the Keeshond is inclined to shout about anything they are unfamiliar with or deem at all suspicious! Pay particular attention to recall as in common with most spitz types, disappearing on the hunt for something small and furry is naturally more amusing than returning promptly! Find out more about dog training with our easy, step-by-step guide.
Fun and intelligent, the Keeshond can make an excellent pet for the active home with older children or teenagers. Their propensity towards barking means they are probably not suited to a home with very young children or babies who need to sleep.
While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children, all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with each other and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.
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