Keeshond
Dogs
Keeshond
Keeshond |
Distinct characteristics of Keeshonden include the ruff,
spectacles around the eyes, and a thick coat.
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Alternative names |
Dutch Barge Dog
Chien Loup
German Spitz
Deutscher Wolfspitz |
Country of origin |
The Netherlands |
Common nicknames |
Kees |
Classification and breed standards |
FCI: |
Group 5 Section 4 #97 |
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AKC: |
Non-sporting |
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ANKC: |
Group 7 (Non-sporting) |
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CKC: |
Group 6 (Non-sporting) |
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KC (UK): |
Utility |
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NZKC: |
Non-sporting |
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UKC: |
Northern Breeds |
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Not recognized by any major kennel club |
This breed of dog is
extinct |
Notes |
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The Keeshond (pronounced KAYZ-HOND; plural: Keeshonden)
is a medium-sized dog
with a plush two-layer coat of silver and black fur with a 'ruff' and a curled
tail, originating in the
Netherlands. Its closest relative is the
Pomeranian. Originally called the
German
Spitz, the name was officially changed to Keeshond in
1925.
Appearance
A member of the
spitz group of dogs, the Kees is 17 to 18 inches (about 45 cm) tall and
weighs 35 to 40 pounds (about 16 to 18 kg). Sturdily built, they have a typical
spitz appearance, neither coarse nor refined. They have a wedge shaped head, a
medium-length muzzle with a definite stop, small pointed ears and an expressive
face. The tail is tightly curled and, in profile, should not be carried as so to
be distinguished from the compact body of the dog.
Coat
Like all spitzes, the Kees has a profuse
double
coat, with a thick ruff around the neck. The tail is well plumed, and
feathering on the fore and hind legs add to the soft look of the breed. The coat
is shown naturally, and should not be wavy, silky, or long enough to form a
natural part down the back.
Color
The Keeshond is a color-specific spitz type; the very names of the dog refer
to the distinct wolf color of the breed. The color is a mix of grey, black and
cream. The top coat is tipped with black, while the undercoat is pale grey,
white, or cream (never tawny). The color can range from very pale to very dark,
but the Kees should neither be black nor white, and the ruff and "trousers" of
the hind legs should be a distinctly lighter grey.
The other important marking is the "Spectacles", a delicate dark line running
from the outer corner of each eye toward the lower corner of each ear, which,
coupled with markings forming short eyebrows, is necessary for the distinct
expressive look of the breed. All markings should be clear, not muddled or
broken.
Temperament
Keeshonden tend to be very playful, with quick reflexes and strong jumping
ability. Keeshonden can be stubborn, but they are quick learners and eager to
please. Because Keeshonden are quick learners, they also learn the things you
didn't necessarily wish to teach them - very quickly. However, Keeshonden make
excellent
agility and
obedience dogs. So amenable to proper training is this bright, sturdy dog
that Keeshonden have been successfully trained to serve as
guide
dogs for the blind; only their lack of size has prevented them from being
more widely used in this role.
They love children and are excellent family dogs, preferring to be close to
their humans whenever possible. They generally get along with other dogs as well
and will enjoy a good chase around the yard. Keeshonden are very intuitive and
empathic and are often used as comfort dogs. Most notably, at least one
Keeshond, Tikva, was at Ground Zero on 9/11 to help comfort the rescue workers.
They are known by their loud distinctive bark. Throughout the centuries, the
Keeshond has been a very popular
watch dog
on manors in the Netherlands and middle Europe, as well as famously being a
watch dog on barges. This trait is evident to this day, and they are alert watch
dogs that warn their owners of any new visitors. Despite being a loud and alert
watchdog, Keeshonden are not aggressive towards visitors. They generally welcome
visitors affectionately once their family has accepted them. Unfortunately,
excessive barking may become a problem if not properly handled. As with other
watchdogs, Keeshonden have a distinct territory that they want to guard.
Therefore, a happy Keeshond should have a yard to watch out for.
Training
The Keeshond is a very bright dog as evidenced by its level of achievement in
obedience work. This intelligence makes a Keeshond a good choice for the dog
owner who is willing to help a dog learn the right lessons, but also entails
added responsibility. Keeshond ownership, when the dog and human have worked
together to become a good pet and a good pet owner, is a very positive
experience.
Many people purchase a Keeshond thinking that, being a family dog, they must
also be an easy to train dog. While affectionate, the Keeshond may not be for
the inexperienced trainer. Consistency and fairness is needed with a Keeshond.
While most dogs need a structured environment, it's especially necessary with a
Keeshond. Their intelligence, in some ways, can be a liability - especially in
obedience work, where they can get bored with repetitive training.
Being an intelligent dog, most problems with Keeshonden stem from the dog
becoming bored and inventing its own activities. They need daily contact with
their owners and lots of activity to remain happy. Therefore, it is not the
right choice of breed for those who want a dog that lives happily alone in a
kennel or backyard.
Health
Keeshonden are prone to and
hip
dysplasia,
luxating patellas (trick knee),
epilepsy,
Cushing's disease,
hyperparathyroidism,
hypothyroidism and
von Willebrand's disease. Keeshonden are also prone to
bloat. A healthy,
well-bred Keeshond can be expected to live between 12 and 15 years on average.
Grooming
Due to their double coat, a thick undercoat and a long haired coat above
that, Keeshonden need regular brushing once every two weeks to maintain the coat
and ward off doggy odor normally associated with breeds that have hair. Proper
grooming requires about an hour to an hour and a half to groom all the way to
the skin. If the undercoat is not groomed out properly then eventually the
undercoat will mat and die and the dog may acquire skin problems.
The Keeshond
blows its
coat twice a year. This entails shedding their undercoats completely during
an intense shedding period that can last up to three weeks from start to finish.
The hair comes out in large and small clumps and lots of vacuuming and brushing
are in order. During the "blow", a Keeshond should be groomed once or twice a
week to facilitate rapid removal of the dead undercoat. If the coat isn't combed
out properly during the yearly sheds, hairs from that period may be shed for
weeks or months after.
A bath once or twice a year may be all that is called for, as Keeshonds often
lack the strong doggy smell of other breeds. Loose dirt can be brushed out,
though any dog that gets very dirty should be washed.
Keeshonden (or any
spitz), unlike breeds such as
poodles,
should not be clipped or shaved. Doing so has many detrimental effects on the
coat, which may grow back improperly, tangled, or not at all. The long coat,
which may appear hot during the summer, is in fact light and airy, and protects
the Kees from excess sun. The coat is essential for protection against all the
elements, and lacking the outer guard coat leaves the dog vulnerable to cold,
rain, and insects like mosquitoes and fleas. The dirt-repellent effect of the
coat will also be lost, causing frequent bathing to be necessary. The coat also
looses its distinct color, as the black tipping on the hairs will be shorn off.
If frequent brushing is too much effort, it is better to chose another breed
rather than clip the Keeshond short.
History
The Keeshond was named after the 18th-century Dutch patriot,
Cornelis (Kees) de Gyselaer, leader of the Dutch rebellion against the
House of Orange. The dog became the rebels' symbol, and when the House of
Orange was returned to power, this wonderful breed almost disappeared. Luckily,
the breed continued as a guard on
Dutch barges. Later, in
the 1920s,
Baroness van Hardenbroeck took an interest in the breed and began to build
it up again. The Keeshond was accepted for
AKC registration in
1930. Now bred for many generations as a companion dog, the Keeshond easily
becomes a loving family member.
Miscellaneous
Breed pronunciation
Out of the 350 some
purebreds,
the Keeshond has possibly the most mispronounced name. "Kay sawn", "Case-hond",
"kās-hond", "keys-hând", "keesh-ond", and "keesh-hond", as so many will say, are
all improper pronunciations. The proper pronunciation is "kayz-hond" or "kayz-hawnd"
with the proper pronunciation of the plural being "kayz-honden" or "kayz-hawnden".
Colored Keeshonden
Historically, Keeshonden came in several colors—white, black, red, orange,
orange-shaded white (also called orange and cream), and silver gray. Originally,
like many other spitz-types, many colours, including
piebalds,
were allowed, but as time progressed, only the silver-grey (wolf-colored) color
was finally established into the Wolfspitz type.[1],[2].
While colored Keeshonden can have terrific conformation, they're not allowed
to be shown in the show ring. Colored Keeshonden are considered "pet quality"
and thus should be
fixed.
Recently, the appearance of oddly-colored Kees in otherwise long, purebred
lineages has caused research into the early history of Keeshond coat colors.
Because of this, some breeders wonder whether the Keeshond should be bred for
colors other than grey. There are many bloodlines carrying the colored gene, and
rather than examples of mixed breeding, colors are legitimate throwbacks to an
earlier era of the breed.
No one knows the exact number of colored Keeshonden born in the United
States. Incorrect, or incomplete, accounts of documentation make it impossible
to determine how many colored Keeshonden, and of which colors, have been born in
the United States.
External links
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