The Keeshond is a friendly breed that's hard to resist, with its fluffy coat and adorable face. They were originally bred in the Netherlands as working dogs, but today they're beloved family pets.
One of the most distinctive features of the Keeshond is its double coat, which requires regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling. They shed heavily, especially during shedding season.
Keeshonds are medium-sized dogs, typically weighing between 40-70 pounds and standing about 17-20 inches tall at the shoulder. They're an energetic breed that needs regular exercise to stay happy and healthy.
Their intelligence and trainability make them a great choice for first-time dog owners, as they're relatively easy to train and can learn to obey commands with consistency and patience.
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Physical Characteristics
Keeshonds are a medium-sized breed with a distinctive appearance. They typically stand between 17 and 19 inches tall and weigh between 30 and 40 pounds.
Their coats are a key feature of the breed, with a thick, wooly undercoat and a longer overcoat that comes in a range of colors including black, gray, silver, and gray cream combinations.
Keeshonds have a wedge-shaped head, medium-length muzzle, and small pointed ears that are set high on their heads. Their eyes are almond-shaped and dark, with black rims.
Here are some key physical characteristics of the Keeshond breed:
- Ears: small, pointy, erect, and set high on their heads
- Eyes: almond-shaped, dark, and rimmed in black
- Nose: wedge-shaped and dark black
- Coat: long, thick, and rich with large manes and trousers on the hindquarters
- Coat Color: gray, cream, black, wolfgray, and silver
- Tail: plume-like and furry, held high and curves over the back
Appearance
The Keeshond's appearance is a unique blend of features that make them a stunning breed. They are medium-sized dogs with a wooly undercoat and longer overcoat.
Their coat colors come in a variety of combinations, including black, gray, silver, and gray cream. Male Keeshonden have thick, full manes, whereas the female's mane is slightly less lush.
Keeshonden have a distinctive fox-like face with pointy ears and spectacle-rimmed eyes. Their plumed tails curve up and over their back.
Here are the key features of a Keeshond's appearance:
- Ears: small, pointy, erect, and set high on their heads
- Eyes: almond-shaped, dark, and rimmed in black
- Nose: wedge-shaped muzzle with a dark black nose
- Coat: long, thick, rich coats with large manes and trousers on the hindquarters
- Coat Color: gray, cream, black, wolfgray, and silver
- Tail: plume-like and furry, held high and curves over the back
The color of a Keeshond's coat should be a mixture of gray and black, with some white as well. The undercoat should be very pale gray or cream, and the hair of the outer coat is black tipped.
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Characteristics of
Keeshonds have a fluffy coat, which is a characteristic of the spitz breeds they belong to. They're intelligent dogs, but their loud barks might not be suitable for everyone.
Keeshonds form close bonds with their people and are extremely loving, loyal personalities. This means they make great family pets, especially for families that are home often.
Keeshonds are not recommended as actual guard dogs, despite their excellent watchdog skills. Their friendly temperament to strangers might scare away potential intruders, but it's not enough to make them reliable guard dogs.
Here are some key characteristics of Keeshonds:
Keeshonds are relatively easy to train due to their high intelligence. They're suitable for first-time dog parents, making them a great choice for many families.
Keeshond Traits
The Keeshond is a loyal companion, known for being friendly and outgoing. They thrive on human interaction.
Their friendly nature makes them excellent family pets, especially for families with children.
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Stock Images
There are over 1,100 stock photos and images available of Keeshonds.
You can search for specific keywords like "keeshond puppy" or "keeshond dog" to find more great stock photos and pictures.
A cute Keeshond puppy standing on a rocky outcrop is just one of the many adorable images you can find.
Keeshonds are often depicted playing in the snow, as seen in "Young Keeshond, Keeshonden Dog Play In Snow, Winter Park".
Here are some popular categories for Keeshond stock images:
- Keeshond puppy
- Keeshond dog
You can also find high-quality photos of Keeshonds in various settings, such as on green grass or in a German forest.
Some stock images even showcase the breed's unique silver and black fur, as seen in "A Keeshond dog with beautiful silver and black fur looking up at the camera".
Keeshonds are often shown playing and running, as in "Young Funny Keeshond, Keeshonden Dog Play And Jumping Over Barrier At Training".
These images can be a great way to learn more about the breed and get a sense of their temperament and personality.
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Coat
The Keeshond's coat is quite impressive, with a dense double coat that's typical of spitz-type dogs.
Males tend to have a thicker, more pronounced ruff around their neck than females.
Their body should be abundantly covered with long, straight, harsh hair that stands well out from a thick, downy undercoat.
The hair on their legs should be smooth and short, except for a bit of feathering on the front legs and "trousers" on the hind legs.
Their tail should be covered in profuse hair, forming a rich plume.
The head, including the muzzle, skull, and ears, should be covered with smooth, soft, short hair that's velvety in texture on the ears.
The coat must not part down the back.
Coat care requires regular line brushing to keep it in good condition.
Keeshonds typically "blow" their undercoat once a year for males, twice a year for females, resulting in excessive hair loss.
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During this time, their guard hairs lie flat to their back.
It usually takes two weeks for the "blow" to complete, allowing new undercoat to begin growing back in.
Keeshonds should never be shaved, as their undercoat provides a natural barrier against heat and cold.
Keeping their coat in good condition will allow for efficient insulation in both hot and cold weather.
Temperament
Keeshonden are naturally playful and love to jump around, making them excellent agility dogs. They're also quick learners, but this can sometimes get them into trouble if they pick up on things they shouldn't.
Their intelligence and eagerness to please make them highly trainable, which is why they've been used as guide dogs for the blind. However, their small size has limited their use in this role.
Keeshonden are extremely loyal and love to be close to their humans, often becoming their "shadow" or "velcro dog". They can get clingy if left alone, and may sit waiting for their owner to return, even if there are others nearby.
Their loud, distinctive bark is a trait they've inherited from their history as watchdogs on barges in the Netherlands. While they're not aggressive, they will alert their owners to new visitors.
With proper training, Keeshonden can learn to control their barking and become excellent family dogs.
Keeshond Information
Keeshonds are a medium-sized dog breed with a thick double coat that sheds heavily.
They typically weigh between 35-50 pounds and stand between 17-20 inches tall at the shoulder.
Keeshonds are known for their friendly, outgoing personalities and are often described as "big dogs in small bodies."
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About the
The Keeshond is a medium-sized dog with a thick double coat that sheds heavily, especially during spring and fall. They have a distinctive beard and eyebrows that give them a charming, intelligent look.
Keeshonds are highly social dogs that thrive on interaction and attention from their family. They are loyal companions and love to be around people.
Their original purpose was to guard barges and boats on the canals and rivers of Holland, where they were used to detect and deter thieves. They are naturally alert and watchful.
Keeshonds are highly intelligent and trainable, but they can be stubborn at times, so consistent and patient training is a must.
History of
The Keeshond has a rich history that dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries, when they were popular companions and watchdogs for barge operators in Holland.
Their loud, stern barks kept potential thieves away from the barges' cargo, earning them the nickname Dutch Barge Dog. They were also known to ride the rivers and canals with their owners.
The Keeshond is a close cousin to Samoyeds, chow chows, and Pomeranians. They became a symbol of the rebel patriot party in Holland during a time of political unrest.
Many people believed the Keeshond represented a lost cause after the patriot party was overthrown, and sadly, many Keeshonds were killed. A few remaining dogs lived on Dutch farms and continued to ride the rivers and canals with barge operators.
The breed was rediscovered in 1905 by a woman named Miss Hamilton-Fletcher, who brought two puppies home to England. She worked with their owners to expand the breed and formed the Dutch Keeshond Club.
The first American litter of Keeshonds was born in 1921, and the breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1930.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Keeshond a wolf hybrid?
No, Keeshond is not a wolf hybrid, but rather a Spitz breed with a direct ancestral link to the German Wolfspitz. Its ancestry is rooted in the Northern Dogs family, specifically the German Spitz.
Sources
- Keeshond Pictures, Images and Stock Photos (istockphoto.com)
- "Keeshond" (google.com)
- "Keeshond" (orvis.com)
- Keeshond World Online Magazine and Pedigree Database (keeshondworld.com)
- https://www.keeshondchronicles.com/ (keeshondchronicles.com)
- AKC Keeshond Breeders (akc.org)
- Keeshond Dog Breed: Characteristics, Care & Photos (chewy.com)
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