Keeshonden are friendly and intelligent dogs who require regular grooming and moderate exercise. They thrive in loving homes with pet parents who appreciate their playful nature.
Devoted, Sociable, Intelligent
Male: 36-40 pounds
Female: 36-40 pounds
Male: 18 inches
Female: 17 inches
12 to 15 years
Black and Silver, Gray and Black, Gray Cream and Black, Gray Silver and Black, Silver and Black, Wolfgray and Black
Brains and beauty—the Keeshond (pronounced kayz-hawnd) has them both in spades. These intelligent dogs were originally bred to be watchdogs for barges traveling the waterways of Holland. These days, however, they’re more of a couch potato, although they still retain their watchdog smarts (and barking tendencies). Fabulously fluffy with large manes, Keeshonden (plural for Keeshond) are quite the attention getters—and seekers. This dog breed loves to make friends of all ages and species. Ever the social butterfly, your Keeshond will likely be the most popular pup on the block, but you’ll always be their No. 1.
Remember: Dogs are individuals and not all dogs, even those of the same breed, will exhibit all the same qualities.
Keeshonden are medium-sized dogs with a wooly undercoat and longer overcoat. Their coat colors come in black, gray, silver, and gray cream combinations. Male Keeshonden have thick, full manes, whereas the female’s mane is slightly less lush. They have fox-like faces with pointy ears and spectacle-rimmed eyes, and their plumed tails curve up and over their back.
Ears:
Keeshonden ears are small, pointy, erect, and set high on their heads.
Eyes:
A Keeshond's eyes are almond-shaped, dark and rimmed in black
Nose:
Keeshonden have a wedge-shaped muzzle with a dark black nose.
Coat Length:
Keeshonden have long, thick, rich coats with large manes and trousers on the hindquarters.
Coat Color:
Keeshonden coat colors include gray, cream, black, wolfgray and silver.
Tail:
A Keeshond's tail is plume-like and furry, held high and curves over the back.
If your Keeshond dog had a Facebook page, their friends list would be a mile long. This delightful Northern European breed is friendly, outgoing and loving. They make lovely pets for families with children and get along well with almost everyone they meet, two- or four-legged alike.Their deep love for people and attention can sometimes be a detriment. They hate being alone, and some suffer from separation anxiety if given too much time by themselves. But for all their clinginess, they’ll reward you kindly with their loyalty.Once bred to watch over the barges on the waterways of Holland, Keeshonden are highly intelligent and easy to train. However, this intelligence means they can have a mind of their own, and they will find creative solutions if you try to block them from something they want, like their favorite sofa. Positive reinforcement training, which rewards good behavior, is necessary for their gentle, sensitive personality.Thanks to their history as a watchdog, your Keeshond will likely bark—loudly—but more as an alert or a welcome when someone visits. (Woohoo! Guests are here!) They aren’t exactly guard dogs and might end up covering an intruder with kisses.
Being as stylish as a Keeshond takes some work and time to maintain that glorious double coat. They need to be brushed with a broad pin head brush every few days to keep their fur from matting and regular baths every four to six weeks. If you’d instead treat your Keeshond to a spa day (and maybe book one for yourself while you’re at it), take them for monthly grooming, which includes a bath, an all-over light scissor trim and a blow dry. But that’s it. Keeshond fur shouldn’t be cut short, buzzed with a razor or shaved, as their double coat serves as insulation, protecting them from the elements. It keeps Keeshonden warm in winter, and surprisingly, it also keeps them cool in summer. Like all breeds, they’ll need monthly nail clipping, daily teeth brushing and daily coat brushing. They should have a professional dental cleaning with their vet at least once yearly. It’s also important to check their ears for debris and any redness or swelling. If you notice anything, speak to your vet. If your vet recommends at-home cleaning, follow this step-by-step guide on how to clean dog ears. Close
You might think that a dog as floofy as a Keeshond would be all about their looks, but you’d be wrong—Keeshonden are as smart as they are gorgeous. Their intelligence, along with their curiosity and sensitive nature, makes for a breed that is relatively easy to train. While these dogs are medium-sized, remember that their smaller stature is not a reason to shortcut training. You’ll need to work on basic commands (e.g., sit and stay), proper leash walking manners, and other skills specific to your home or family, such as behaving with small children or getting along with the cat. As with all dogs, early socialization and training is important. When they’re a puppy, introduce your dog to many new people and situations to help them understand this is a normal part of life. Take them on walks and let them meet and sniff other dogs and people. Consider enrolling them in puppy school, where they’ll learn to play nicely with other puppies and meet other pup parents all in one location. It’s also important to remember that Keeshonds often struggle with separation anxiety. So, setting them up for dealing with this is critical. Work on alone time for Keeshonden by doing it slowly, leaving for short periods frequently and praising them when they’re quiet and well-behaved in your absence. You must get this right, as an agitated Keeshond will bark frequently and fairly loudly, which is no fun for you, your family, or the neighbors. Close
Your Keeshond will do well with good quality dog food designed for their age—senior, adult or puppy. Your veterinarian can help you nail down the exact type and amount of food your Keeshond needs. How much each individual dog eats will depend on their metabolism, age and energy levels. Like any dog, Keeshonden can be prone to weight gain if not fed properly. And don’t forget about treats! Account for any yummy dog treats your Keeshond gets during training sessions (or just because they’re adorable)—those count toward their daily caloric intake as well. If you have a Keeshond with allergies or coat problems, you may need to feed a special diet. Again, your vet is the best source of information on choosing the right diet and trying to eliminate any allergen or irritant that may be bothering your dog. Close
Some days, you are all about the gym. Other days, wellll… not so much. And your Keeshond can relate. Some will love nothing more than playing outside with the kids and running constantly, while others are satisfied with a brief, speedy, daily walk. Whichever your Keeshond’s preference for exercise, getting even the most dedicated couch potato Keeshond up and moving at least 30 minutes a day is best for their health and well-being and is vital to keep their weight in check. This breed will adapt well to your exercise levels and preferences. Though most Keeshonden love a run, they aren’t best suited to accompany marathon training. They can, however, hold their own at the dog park or on a hike most days. Close
Keeshonden make great apartment dwellers and excellent small-space dogs, provided their exercise needs are met. Though medium-sized, their predilection to snuggle with their humans makes them perfect for smaller homes. But remember, they’re devoted family members and tend to struggle on their own, so they’ll do best with pet parents who will be around often. If you’ll be gone for long, take your pup to doggy daycare or arrange for a pet sitter or neighbor to come by and play with your pup. Keeshonden are ideal family pets and get along well with dog siblings and human children, as long as you teach little ones how to pet and handle them. You can successfully raise them with cats—if trained well, they’ll respect a cat’s boundaries. Close
The Keeshond lifespan is 12 to 15 years. They are a generally healthy breed, although they do have a few health problems for pet parents to be aware of. These include:
Working-class villagers in the 18th century originally bred Keeshonden to be watchdogs for the barges that sailed along Holland’s canals and rivers, earning them the name of Dutch Barge dogs. They developed this breed from the lineages of other Spitz breeds. Keeshonden were also known as Wolfspitzes in Germany.
Named after the 18th-century Dutch patriot Cornelis (Kees) de Gyselaer, leader of the Patriots Party and a rebellion against the ruling House of Orange, the breed became a symbol of that rebellion and of the patriots. Many owners abandoned the breed when the uprising failed to avoid being recognized as rebels. If it hadn’t been for the peasants and farmers who kept their dogs, the breed may not have made it to America in the 1920s. The American Kennel Club recognized Keeshonden in 1930—the 85th recognized breed. Today, they are Holland’s national dog.
So, where is the best place to find a Keeshond puppy? You can find a list of reputable Keeshond breeders on the American Kennel Club’s website. Depending on the breeder, the average cost of a Keeshond puppy is between $2,000 to $2,500, and for that, you usually get a dog screened for health and temperament issues that might even come with pedigree papers. You can also reach out to a Keeshond rescue organization, keep an eye out for the breed at your local animal shelter.
No, Keeshonden aren’t hypoallergenic. The breed sheds heavily (blows their coats) twice annually in the spring and fall. People allergic to dogs would likely be allergic to them, especially when they shed.
What is a lot? Keeshonden can bark loudly and have a high-pitched bark, but with good training, they needn’t be frequent barkers. Their reputation for not loving alone time and developing separation anxiety, where dogs may bark out of fear and anxiousness, has given them a rep for barkiness. It’s important to remember that while you can train your pup to know when it’s OK to bark, you’ll never train the instinct entirely out of the breed.
No, Keeshonden aren’t extinct. They’re not a common breed, and many people have never heard of them; however, despite previous threats to their existence, they have survived and thrived.
Yes. Keeshonden make wonderful family dogs. They are a smart, loyal and playful breed that tends to do well with children and other dogs.
No. Keeshonden aren’t aggressive. This breed is mild-mannered, typically well-behaved, sensitive and gentle. They are welcoming to visitors and usually have very low aggressive tendencies.
Keeshond-Husky mix Keeshond-Pomeranian mix Keeshond-Poodle mix Keeshond-Collie mix Keeshond-German Shepherd mix
**Content sourced from www.chewy.com
