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The Keeshond History & Description

The Keeshond traces its roots to the wintry regions of Europe. The breed is descended from the same arctic strains that produced the Spitz breeds, the dogs that have thick, double coats, upright ears, wedge-shaped heads, deep chests, and usually carry their tails curled over their backs (e.g. Samoyed, Norwegian Elkhound, Siberian Husky, Chow Chow, etc.) Keeshonden were developed as family pets, companions and watch dogs on canal barges and farms of Holland. The barges that plied up the Rhine through the Black Forest enabled the Keeshond to interbreed with German Spitz stock.

In the late 1700's, Cornelius de Gyselaar became the leader of the Dutch Patriot Party. (He led the Dutch Patriots against William of Orange and used his Dutch Barge Dog (Keeshond) as the emblem of his party.) When the Patriots fell to the House of Orange, the breed faced near extinction as they were abandoned or destroyed by owners who did not want to be associated with the rebellion.

In 1920, revival of the Keeshond began when it was registered with the British Kennel Club as the Dutch Barge Dog. In 1923, the first Keeshonden entered the show ring in Britain.

The first Keeshonden were brought to the United States in 1926 and that year the breed was also officially renamed. "Kees" is the Dutch nickname for Cornelius and "hond" if the Dutch word for dog, so the Dutch Barge Dog became "Kees" de Gyselaar's "hond" or Keeshond. The first Canadian Kennel Club registrations followed in 1928 and 1929, the first American Kennel Club registration followed in 1930 and, five years later, the adoption of the breed standard.

Living With Kees

A Keeshond's strongest desire is to share the companionship of a loving family. If you choose to bring a Keeshond into your home, prepare to include it in all your daily routines. This is not a dog to be left outside to live out its life in the back yard.

Temperament is the Keeshond's greatest quality. These dogs love everyone and are extremely patient with young children. Keeshonden were bred to be watch dogs, not attack dogs. These intelligent dogs are strongly devoted to the whole family, not just one member. Keenly aware of strangers, Keeshonden will vigorously give voice if their territory is approached by one. A barking Keeshond brazenly advertising his presence is enough to make any would-be intruder change his mind. However, Keeshonden will gladly accept strangers as friends once they have been properly introduced, sometimes a bit overwhelmingly. Typically, they are not afraid of anything or anyone.

If you need a friend, try a Keeshond. Keeshonden are witty and wise, bubbly and brazen, sensitive and silly - just plain lovable. While no one would deny that the Keeshond's glorious coat draws admirers to the breed, it's the eyes that captivate and the smile that wins hearts!

The Smiling Dutchman

It seems odd that a dog known fondly as "The Smiling Dutchman" and "the gentleman of Holland" could have had such a tumultuous history. The modern Keeshond is one of the gentlest of dogs. Never bred as a hunter and never used for any other specialized work, these dogs are companions extraordinaire and great home lovers. It is said this friendly, gentle devotion is what makes the Keeshond unique. Indeed, anyone who has owned one would agree that this is a dog who wants to please, an affectionate dog with a wonderful disposition.

The Keeshond is a medium-sized dog, averaging 35-40 pounds, standing 17-18 inches at the shoulder. The coat is silver-gray to black with a pale grey or cream undercoat. The muzzle should be dark and there should be characteristic black "spectacles" around the eyes. Ears are held upright. The neck sports a lion-like mane and the tail is plumed and carried over the back. The hind legs, dense with fur, form the well-known "trousers". Compact, agile and good-tempered, they were ideally suited to life on the barges. Today, these qualities make the Keeshond popular among apartment dwellers.

The Keeshond is a beautiful, intelligent, teddy-bear-like dog that thrives in all kinds of weather - indoors or out - and attracts favorable attention wherever seen.

Training The Keeshond

Training a Keeshond is entertaining. The Keeshond is a happy worker and the dogs love pleasing their people so much that they thrive on obedience work. Keeshonden are quick learners. A few repetitions of a new behavior are all that is needed to increase a Keeshond's vocabulary. Distractions pose problems for many Keeshonden. After all, these dogs were bred to be watch dogs. Independant thinkers, Keeshonden may display signs of stubbornness when pushed to do something they find distasteful.

Grooming

The elegant coat of a Keeshond is surprisingly easy to maintain. As mentioned previously, they are a double coated dog. The long, outer hairs with soft undercoat do not tangle and the outer coat sheds dirt as it dries after a wet outing. Strangely enough, this handsome coat, which is odourless when dry, normally needs grooming only about once every one to three weeks. Grooming should be done from the skin out. Keeshonden shed heavily twice per year, Spring and Fall, when the undercoat detaches from the body - and then it is brush, brush, brush for about 2 to 3 weeks. Baths should be given only when necessary, twice per year for some, less for others. The coat should be thoroughly brushed before bathing, and thoroughly dried after the bath. Use a quality shampoo and cream conditioner, then blow dry well. This helps the coat dry quickly and reduces tangles in the brushing out process. Keeshond owners should purchase a slicker brush, a pin brush and a steel-toothed comb for grooming. The Keeshond is a natural breed and little trimming is necessary. You can tidy the feet and the hocks but no further trimming should be done. Toenails should be trimmed every week or two with a file or nail clippers.