Keeshond Brown Dog Breed Complete Guide and Overview

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Posted Oct 9, 2024

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A Grayscale Photo of a Furry Keeshond Dog
Credit: pexels.com, A Grayscale Photo of a Furry Keeshond Dog

The Keeshond is a medium-sized dog breed that originated in the Netherlands. They have a thick double coat that requires regular grooming.

Keeshonds are known for their friendly and outgoing personalities. They are highly social dogs that thrive on interaction with their human family members.

Originating in the 18th century, Keeshonds were originally bred as working dogs to help fishermen and traders. Their name "Keeshond" is derived from the Dutch word for "ice dog" or "coal-black dog".

Appearance

The keeshond brown has a striking appearance that's hard to ignore. Their medium-sized body is perfectly complemented by their upright ears.

Their double coat is a beautiful sight to behold, with harsh outer hairs and softer undercoat. It's thick like a lion's mane around the neck, closer fitting around the body, and shorter at the head, legs, and feet.

Their richly plumed tails curl flat against their bodies, adding to their overall charm. Keeshonden typically have dark brown eyes that are full of intelligence and alertness.

Credit: youtube.com, Keeshond - AKC Dog Breed Series

Those distinctive spectacles - dark line markings slanting from the outer corner of each eye - give them a unique and endearing expression. Some people have even called their expressions "fox-like" due to their head shape, almond eyes, and oblique eye placement.

A full-grown keeshond brown stands between 17-18 inches tall and weighs between 35-45 pounds.

Home Care

Home care for your Keeshond is crucial for its happiness and health. Brushing your Keeshond's coat at least weekly is essential, especially during shedding periods when daily brushing is recommended. Regular grooming will keep your Keeshond looking its best and prevent matting.

A Keeshond's coat is made up of a thick undercoat and a longer outer coat, which sheds twice a year. During these periods, expect a lot of loose hair, and be prepared to brush your Keeshond daily to prevent matting.

Brushing your Keeshond's teeth at least twice a week will keep its teeth healthy and strong. Regular nail trimming and ear cleaning are also essential to prevent problems.

Dog Groomer Brushing a Dog
Credit: pexels.com, Dog Groomer Brushing a Dog

To keep your Keeshond's mind and body active, provide regular exercise and mental stimulation. A daily walk is a great way to keep your Keeshond happy and healthy, and it's also a good opportunity to spend quality time with your pet.

Here are some essential home care tasks to remember:

  • Brush your Keeshond's coat at least weekly
  • Brush your Keeshond's teeth at least twice a week
  • Trim your Keeshond's nails regularly
  • Clean your Keeshond's ears weekly
  • Provide regular exercise and mental stimulation

Remember to also watch your Keeshond's diet and ensure it's getting plenty of fresh water. A high-quality diet and regular check-ups with your veterinarian will help keep your Keeshond healthy and happy for years to come.

Temperament

Keeshonden are smart and biddable dogs, making them ideal family pets. They get along well with strangers and other dogs and pets.

Keeshonden are extremely active and highly intelligent, which means they'll be a fast learner during training. They're also naturally inclined to be polite and social, which is great for socialization.

Keeshonden have a gentle nature, which makes them poor protection dogs. However, their loud stern bark serves them well as watchdogs.

With proper training and correction, keeshonden won't bark incessantly. They're silly, inquisitive, and very affectionate, which makes them wonderful companions.

Fun Facts

Credit: youtube.com, Keeshond - Top 10 Facts

Keeshonden are known as "Smiling Dutchman" because of their tendency to curl their lip and bare their teeth in a grimace, which is actually a happy and submissive grin.

A keeshond's unique behavior is just one of the many interesting facts about this breed. They're also known for digging holes in the ground to lie in, which helps them stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

Here are some fun facts about keeshond behavior:

  • Keeshonden dig holes to create a cozy spot to rest.
  • They'll often curl their lip and bare their teeth, but it's just a happy grin!

Keeshonden make excellent therapy dogs and nursing home visitors, according to the breed club.

Keeshond Breed

They are great with kids and other dogs, making them a true family pet. Their friendly and outgoing personalities also make them a great addition to any household.

Keeshonden are easily motivated and trainable, but they can be rambunctious and rowdy, especially as younger dogs. They need regular exercise and diet regulation to avoid weight gain.

Keeshonden are adaptable to a wide variety of living conditions, but they do have a tendency to bark quite a bit if not trained out of this habit. They are prone to boredom and separation anxiety when left alone and will find trouble, so they require regular attention and interaction.

Expand your knowledge: Brown Great Pyrenees Mix

Credit: youtube.com, Keeshond - Best of Breed

Here are some key characteristics of the Keeshond breed:

  • Great with kids and other dogs
  • Easily motivated and trainable
  • Adaptable to a wide variety of living conditions
  • Alert, curious, and busy
  • People-oriented and eager to please
  • Quirky, entertaining personality
  • Can be rambunctious and rowdy
  • Needs regular exercise and diet regulation
  • Has a tendency to bark quite a bit
  • Prone to boredom and separation anxiety
  • Can be independent and strong-willed
  • Likes to dig

The Keeshond originated in Holland in the 1700's and was bred for companionship and as a watchdog for riverboats, barges, and farms.

Health and Wellness

Keeshonds are prone to certain health issues due to their breed, so it's essential to be aware of these potential problems.

Regular brushing is crucial to prevent periodontal disease, and daily brushing of their teeth is recommended to keep them healthy.

Keeshonds need a thorough brushing at least weekly, and daily brushing during their shedding season.

To keep your Keeshond's coat looking its best, brush them regularly, especially during shedding season.

Here's a quick rundown of their grooming needs:

  • Weekly brushing for most of the year
  • Daily brushing during shedding season
  • Weekly ear cleaning
  • Twice-weekly tooth brushing

In addition to grooming, a proper diet and exercise routine are vital for your Keeshond's overall health.

General Information

The name "Keeshond" is pronounced kayshond.

Keeshond puppies are born black or seal brown and fade to white by four months.

The plural form of Keeshond is Keeshonden, which is the Dutch form.

It may take 18 months for the wolf markings to develop on a Keeshond.

Sources

  1. The Kennel Club - Keeshond (thekennelclub.org.uk)
  2. WebMD - What to Know About a Keeshond (webmd.com)
  3. PetMD - Keeshond (petmd.com)
  4. Vetstreet - Keeshond (vetstreet.com)
  5. AKC Weekly Winners (akcwinners.com)
  6. Keeshond Club of America (keeshond.org)
  7. Keeshond Club of America (keeshond.org)
  8. Keeshond - Breed Info (commercevet.com)
  9. Keeshond - Breed Info (esteroanimalvet.com)

Freddie McGlynn

Senior Copy Editor

Freddie McGlynn is a meticulous and detail-oriented copy editor with a passion for refining written content. With a keen eye for grammar and syntax, Freddie has honed their skills in a variety of article categories, including Law Enforcement Dogs. Freddie's extensive experience has equipped them with the ability to distill complex ideas into clear, concise language, making them a valuable asset to any editorial team.

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