Description: Keeshond
The Keeshond is an affectionate, lively, and intelligent dog breed, originally from the Netherlands, where it served as a companion and watchful guardian on barges and farms. Known for its distinctive 'spectacles' — markings and shading around the eyes that give the appearance of glasses — the Keeshond has a plush two-layer coat, with a woolly undercoat and a longer guard coat. This breed is highly social and forms strong bonds with its family members, thriving on interaction and being involved in family activities. Keeshonds are known for their sharp barking, which makes them excellent watchdogs. They require regular moderate exercise and enjoy activities like walks and play sessions that also stimulate their minds.
Keeshond ratings
Properties
The Keeshond is a medium-sized, fluffy dog known for its striking appearance and sociable nature. This breed originates from the Netherlands, where it was traditionally used as a watch and companion dog on barges and farms. With a rich history, the Keeshond became symbolically associated with the Dutch Patriot political party in the 18th century, adding an interesting historical facet to its background.
The Keeshond has a distinctive double coat, which includes a thick, woolly undercoat and a longer, harsh outer coat. The coat is particularly abundant around the neck and shoulders, giving it a lion-like ruff or mane and its tail is profusely covered and curls over the back. The fur’s coloration is a mix of grey, black, and cream, which provides not only an aesthetic quality but also insulation against cold temperatures. This lush coat requires regular grooming to prevent matting and to manage shedding. The breed's expressive face features spectacles — distinctive markings and shading around the eyes that enhance its alert and intelligent expression.
Standing about 17 to 18 inches at the shoulder and weighing between 35 to 45 pounds, Keeshonden are characterized by a sturdy and compact body that is well suited for agility and endurance. They possess a lively and agile gait. Despite their robust build, they are known for their friendly and outgoing temperament. This breed thrives on companionship and forms strong bonds with its family members, often following them around from room to room. Keeshonden are famously good with children and other animals, making them excellent family pets.
Their intelligence and eagerness to please make training a Keeshond relatively easy. They are quick learners and responsive to positive reinforcement techniques such as treats and praises. Socialization from a young age is crucial to develop a well-rounded dog, as the breed can be reserved and sometimes wary with strangers. This characteristic also makes them excellent watchdogs, as they are alert without being aggressive.
Keeshonden are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they can be subject to certain genetic health problems, including hip dysplasia, congenital heart defects, and skin issues. Regular veterinary check-ups and a well-maintained diet are essential to keeping a Keeshond in good health. Owners should also ensure they get adequate exercise to prevent boredom and maintain their physical health. Despite their thick coats, Keeshonden adapt fairly well to various living environments, including apartments, provided they get sufficient daily exercise. In summary, the Keeshond is a versatile, attractive, and affectionate breed that makes a loyal companion and an active part of any household.
Appearance
The Keeshond, pronounced 'kayz-hawnd', is a medium-sized dog with a plush two-layer coat of silver and black fur with distinct markings and a mane-like ruff around its neck. Noted for its striking appearance, the breed’s most distinctive features include its dramatic facial markings that resemble spectacles — intricate black lines arcing over its eyes, which are outlined by a delicate tracery of black that can also resemble eyebrows.
The body of a Keeshond is compact and robust with a sturdy bone structure that supports a well-balanced frame. They possess a lion-like ruff around their neck and a profuse, bushy tail that curls over their back, which is a hallmark of the breed. Their head is wedge-shaped when viewed from above, and from the side, the muzzle is well proportioned relative to the skull with a clearly defined stop. The eyes of a Keeshond are almond-shaped, dark in color, and convey a lively and intelligent expression.
The breed’s coat, which consists of a dense, woolly undercoat and a longer, harsh outer coat, provides excellent insulation and was historically adapted to harsh, cold climates. This double coat requires regular grooming to maintain its condition and to reduce shedding. Keeshonds typically have markings on the legs, tail, and around the shoulders that resemble a shawl, which are particularly distinctive and attractive.
Typically standing between 17 to 18 inches at the shoulder and weighing between 35 to 45 pounds, Keeshonds are well-suited to both apartment living and homes with yards. Their size and adaptable nature make the Keeshond an ideal pet for many environments. Despite their thick coat, their grooming needs are moderate compared to other breeds of similar size and fur type, requiring regular brushing a few times a week and occasional baths to keep their coat in good condition and to minimize shedding.
Overall, the Keeshond is a visually striking breed that is easily recognizable due to its unique and vivid coat pattern, expressive face, and sturdy build. With proper care and grooming, this breed can maintain a delightful appearance that reflects its friendly and alert nature.
History
The Keeshond (pronounced 'KAYZ-hawnd') is a breed rich in history and charm, recognized for its distinctive lion-like ruff and lively expression. This breed originated in the Netherlands during the 18th century and was traditionally known as the 'Dutch Barge Dog' due to its role on barges and farms as a companion and guard dog.
The Keeshond is closely associated with the political turmoil in the Netherlands during the late 1700s. The breed became a symbol of the Dutch Patriot political party, led by the patriot Kees de Gyselaer, who owned a dog of this type named 'Kees.' Hence, the breed was initially known as the 'keeshond,' which directly relates to its ties with de Gyselaer. As the Patriot party's mascot, the Keeshond became emblematic of the common man’s struggles against the House of Orange.
After the political unrest settled, the popularity of the Keeshond diminished, and its presence became primarily confined to the barges traveling the Rhine River. The breed's fortunes changed in the early 20th century, however, when a Mrs. Wingfield-Digby in England and the Baroness van Hardenbroek in the Netherlands began to promote and protect it. Their efforts led to the breed achieving recognition by major kennel clubs in Europe. English enthusiasts then took it upon themselves to develop and promote the breed further, leading to its spread beyond European borders.
Keeshonds were officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1930. Since then, they have become cherished pets in numerous households across the United States and the world. The breed’s friendly nature and lack of hunting instinct make it an ideal family companion. Keeshonds are also noted for their intelligence and eagerness to please, qualities that make them excellent candidates for obedience and agility training. In contemporary times, beyond their family roles, Keeshonds occasionally serve as therapy dogs, bringing comfort and joy to those in hospitals and nursing homes.
The Keeshond remains a symbol of Dutch heritage and is celebrated for its contribution to the cultural fabric of the Netherlands, maintaining strong ties to its history as a beloved symbol of political resilience and as an endearing companion.