Discover the Dutch Barge Dog and Keeshond Connection

The Dutch Barge Dog and Keeshond Connection is a fascinating topic. These two breeds share a common history and ancestry, with the Dutch Barge Dog being a descendant of the Keeshond.

The Keeshond was originally bred as a working dog on barges in the Netherlands, where they helped to herd and guard cargo. This is where the Dutch Barge Dog comes in, as it was developed from the Keeshond and other breeds to serve a similar purpose on barges.

The Dutch Barge Dog has inherited many of the Keeshond's characteristics, including its thick double coat and friendly, outgoing personality. This makes them well-suited to life on a barge, where they can help to protect and entertain their human family members.

The Keeshond breed originated in the Netherlands in the 18th century. They were originally bred for various tasks on barges, such as keeping watch and catching rats.

These dogs were named after a Dutch patriot, Kees de Gyselaer, who led a resistance movement against the House of Orange in the late 1700s. The Keeshond became a symbol of the Dutch Patriot Party and was often depicted in political cartoons of the time.

Initially, Keeshonds were used as watchdogs on Dutch barges and working dogs on farms, where they helped to herd and protect livestock. They were particularly well-suited to life on barges, as they were compact, adaptable, and could tolerate the cold, wet conditions of the canals.

The breed was first exhibited in the Netherlands in 1920. In 1925, the Keeshond Club of America was established, and the breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1930.

The breed gained popularity in the United States in the 1930s and 1940s, thanks in part to a Keeshond named “Gee-Gee” who won the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 1930.