Keeshond Dog Care and Ownership Essentials

To care for a Keeshond, you'll need to brush their thick double coat regularly, ideally 2-3 times a week, to prevent matting and tangling.

Keeshonds are generally adaptable to apartment living, but they do need regular exercise to stay happy and healthy.

They thrive on daily walks and playtime, and love to run and play in securely fenced areas.

The Keeshond's physical characteristics are quite distinctive. They stand between 17 and 18 inches tall, with males weighing around 45 pounds and females weighing around 35 pounds.

Their coat is a thick, double layer, with a woolly undercoat and a longer outer coat. This coat requires regular grooming, but it's relatively easy to maintain, as long as you brush your Keeshond at least twice a week.

Here are some key physical characteristics to look out for:

Their tail is a notable feature, being tightly curled and carried close to the body. Their facial markings are also quite unique, with a delicate, dark line running from the outer corner of each eye toward the ear, giving them a distinctive "spectacles" look.

The Keeshond's appearance is quite distinctive. They have a typical spitz appearance with a wedge-shaped head, medium-length muzzle, and small pointed ears.

Their height varies slightly between breed standards, ranging from 17 inches to 18 inches in the American Kennel Club (AKC) standard, and 17 inches to 19.25 inches in the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) standard.

Keeshonds are a sturdy breed with a compact body and a tightly curled tail that's carried close to the body. Their weight typically ranges from 30 pounds to 40 pounds.

Their coat is a thick, double coat with a woolly undercoat and a longer outer coat. The undercoat is pale grey or cream in color, while the outer coat has black-tipped hairs that give the characteristic shading of color.

The color of the Keeshond's coat is a combination of grey, black, and cream, with a distinctive "spectacles" or markings around the eyes. Their ears are small, dark, and triangular, and are erect.

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Here's a summary of the Keeshond's color and coat characteristics:

Overall, the Keeshond's appearance is a unique combination of their spitz features, coat color, and distinctive markings.

Keeshonds are a medium-sized breed, and their size can vary slightly between males and females. Males stand 18 inches tall.

Their weight also differs, with males weighing in at approximately 45 pounds. Females are slightly smaller, weighing around 35 pounds.

Their compact size makes them a great fit for apartment living, as they don't require a lot of space to run around.

Keeshonds are very playful dogs with quick reflexes and strong jumping ability. They love to play and enjoy a good chase around the yard.

Their intelligence and eagerness to please make them quick learners, but also means they can pick up things their humans didn't intend to teach them. So, early training and socialization are a must.

Keeshonds are known for being very intuitive and empathetic, often used as comfort dogs. They have a tendency to become clingy towards their owners, following them around the house and waiting for them to return.

Their loud, distinctive bark makes them excellent watchdogs, alerting their owners to new visitors. However, if not properly handled, barking can become a problem.

Keeshonds are highly trainable and can excel in agility and obedience training. They're also great family dogs, loving children and getting along well with other pets.

As social dogs, Keeshonds don't do well when left alone for long hours and need to be treated like family members. They're fun-loving and always ready to play, earning them the nickname "smiling Dutchman".

The keeshond is a social dog that thrives on interaction with its family. They require daily attention and should be allowed to share in family activities.

Keeshonds are adaptable to many living situations, including apartments and homes with small yards, as long as they receive regular exercise and attention. A daily walk is recommended, but they don't require a lot of exercise.

To keep your keeshond happy and healthy, it's essential to provide a proper diet and regular grooming. They have a thick, double coat that needs to be brushed regularly, especially during shedding season.

Here are some general care tips for keeshonds:

Consult with your veterinarian to determine the best diet for your keeshond, as their nutritional needs may vary depending on their size, age, and activity level.

Feeding your Keeshond is an essential part of their care, and it's crucial to get it right. You should feed your adult Keeshond 1 to 2 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.

Their daily food intake depends on their size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level, so it's essential to measure their food and adjust as needed. If you're unsure whether your Keeshond is overweight, give them the eye test and the hands-on test: you should be able to see a waist, and feel but not see their ribs without pressing hard.

You should also consider the quality of dog food you buy, as it will affect how much they need to eat. A better-quality food will go further in nourishing your Keeshond, and they'll need less of it.

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Here's a summary of the daily feeding needs for Keeshonds:

Remember, every dog is different, and their feeding needs will vary accordingly. Always consult with your veterinarian for personalized advice on feeding your Keeshond.

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Taking care of a Keeshond requires some special considerations. Keeshonds shed intensely twice a year, which can be a challenge for some owners.

Their high energy levels mean they need regular exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom. If they don't get enough activity, they can become destructive.

Keeshonds are known to bark loudly and often, which can be a problem for apartment dwellers or those who value quiet time. This barking can be a sign that they're bored or need attention.

Here are some of the key cons to consider when deciding if a Keeshond is right for you:

Keeshonds are generally a very healthy breed, but like all breeds, they can be prone to certain health issues. Hip dysplasia, a malformation in the hip joints, can cause weakness, lameness, or pain in the hips.

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Some common health problems in keeshonds include hip dysplasia, luxating patella, and primary hyperparathyroidism.

Keeshonds can also be susceptible to cataracts, which can cause blurry or cloudy vision, and diabetes mellitus, which can lead to increased thirst, appetite, and urination.

It's essential to have your keeshond's parents tested and certified free from inherited problems before bringing a puppy home. You can obtain test results from the breeder or directly from the Orthopaedic Foundation For Animals site.

A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 12.3 years for keeshonds, which is slightly lower than the average life expectancy for purebred dogs.

Here are some common health issues that may arise in keeshonds:

Keep an eye out for any abnormal symptoms, such as changes in appetite or water consumption, tartar build-up, bad breath, or red gums. If you notice any unusual signs or symptoms, it's always best to consult with a veterinarian.

Regular brushing of your keeshond's teeth can help prevent periodontal disease, which can cause bad breath, red gums, and even broken teeth.

The Keeshond is a close cousin to the Samoyed, Chow, Norwegian Elkhound, Finnish Spitz, and Pomeranian. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the Keeshond was a companion and watchdog on small vessels called rijnaken on the Rhine River.

The Keeshond became the best-loved dog of Holland during a time of political unrest. Holland was divided into two factions: the prinsgezinden, or followers of the Prince of Orange, and the patriotten, or patriots.

The patriots were led by one Cornelius de Gyselaer, who had a spitz-type dog named Kees as his constant companion. De Gyselaer's followers were derisively referred to as Keezen by the opposing Orange party.

The Keeshond became a symbol of the rebel party, and the breed became popular among ordinary people. In time, the followers of the Prince of Orange overthrew the rebel party and the Keeshond fell into disfavor as the representative of a lost cause.

Many dogs were destroyed, but some survived on Dutch farms and on barges around Amsterdam. The breed was rediscovered in 1905 by a Miss Hamilton-Fletcher (later to become Mrs. Wingfield-Digby).

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She convinced her parents to take home two puppies, which became the foundation stock for the breed's introduction outside of Holland. These dogs were taken to England and became the foundation for the breed outside of Holland.

The first American litter of Keeshonds was bred in 1929 by Carl Hinderer. The first Keeshond was registered with the American Kennel Club in 1930 in the Non-Sporting Group.

The Keeshond is named after Cornelis “Kees” de Gyselaer, the leader of the Dutch rebels who rose up against the House of Orange in the late 18th century.

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Keeshonds are highly intelligent dogs that thrive on structure and consistency in their training. They need daily contact with their owners and much activity to remain happy.

Keeshonds can be timid dogs and may develop behavioral problems if left alone without proper training and attention. They respond poorly to heavy-handed or forceful training methods.

Consistency and fairness are key when training a Keeshond, as they want to please their owners and respect their authority. Harsh punishment is not necessary when the dog doesn't obey as quickly as desired.

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Keeshonds excel in obedience training and can begin basic obedience as early as 8 weeks of age. They respond best to positive reinforcement training methods.

Early socialization is essential for Keeshond puppies, and enrolling them in a puppy kindergarten class can help them learn the basics like "sit", "stay", and "come." This can be a fun activity for both the dog and pet parent.

Keeshonds don't like to be left alone, and they may bark endlessly or become destructive when lonely and bored. They were bred to live with barge operators, so they're meant to be alongside their humans.

The Keeshond's coat is truly one of its most distinctive features. A thick, double coat with a woolly undercoat and a longer outer coat is characteristic of this breed.

Regular grooming is essential to prevent matting and tangles, and to keep the coat healthy. Brush your Keeshond at least two times per week, and bathe them about every three months.

Their double coat sheds moderately year-round, with an increase in furballs during seasonal changes. But don't worry, this is a normal process and can be managed with regular grooming.

One of the most important things to remember is not to shave your Keeshond in the summer. Their thick coat actually acts as insulation against warm temperatures, and shaving can make them more susceptible to sunburns or even skin cancer.

Here's a quick rundown of what you need to do:

By following these simple steps, you can keep your Keeshond's coat looking its best and prevent any potential health problems.

As a keeshond owner, you'll want to prioritize your dog's routine care to ensure a long, healthy, and happy life. Supervise your pet as you would a toddler, keeping doors closed and picking up after yourself to keep her out of trouble.

Keeshonden require regular grooming, including a thorough brushing at least weekly, with daily brushing recommended during their bi-annual shedding season. Brushing their teeth at least twice a week will keep their teeth perfect. Cleaning their ears weekly, even as a puppy, is also essential.

To keep your keeshond's mind and body active, engage in regular exercise and provide mental stimulation through training and trick performance. A consistent diet and regular feeding schedule are crucial, with a high-quality diet appropriate for their age and no people food allowed.

Some health issues to be aware of include Tetralogy of Fallot, Ventricular septal defect, Renal dysplasia, Diabetes mellitus, Idiopathic epilepsy, Alopecia X, Primary hyperparathyroidism, and Melanoma.

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