Keeshond: temperament, size, care and health

About the Keeshond

The Keeshond (plural Keeshonden) is a medium-sized spitz recognized by its thick silver-gray coat with black-tipped hairs, a full ruff around the neck and the dark markings around its eyes that look like spectacles. It stands about 17 to 18 inches and carries its plumed tail curled tightly over the back. The expression is fox-like and gentle, and the rounded body is solid without being heavy.

The breed served as a watchdog on Dutch river barges and farms, and it remains an alert, people-focused companion. Keeshonden are valued for their loyalty and their willingness to join in everything their family does.

Temperament and family life

A Keeshond wants company. It tends to be warm and outgoing, and it does poorly when left alone for long stretches, becoming noisy or destructive when bored. Most greet strangers politely after a bark of announcement, so they make good watchdogs but poor guard dogs.

The breed is generally patient with children and gets along with other pets, especially if raised with them. Because it is sensitive, it responds badly to harshness in the house. The strong voice is a feature owners should expect, as many Keeshonden bark at passing activity and at anything unusual.

Exercise and training

A Keeshond needs a daily walk of moderate length, some time to play and games that engage its mind. It is not a marathon dog, but it enjoys outings, hiking in cool weather, and low-impact sports such as obedience, rally and agility. Because the dense coat holds heat, exercise should be moved to early morning or evening in summer.

Training is rewarding. The breed is eager to please and learns quickly through praise, play and treats. A Keeshond may follow its owner from room to room, which is usually pleasant but can slip into separation anxiety if it is never left alone. Practice short absences from an early age. Good manners at the door and a taught "quiet" command help keep the barking under control.

Grooming and shedding

The Keeshond sheds a lot. The undercoat comes out all year at a moderate rate and in a heavy blow once or twice a year, when the dog may leave drifts of hair around the house. A thorough brushing twice a week, with a pin brush and an undercoat rake, keeps tangles from forming, and daily sessions help in shedding season. Bathe when needed and dry the dense coat fully.

Do not shave the coat, which insulates against both cold and heat and may grow back unevenly. Check the ears, trim the nails and brush the teeth as part of the routine.

Health

The breed is generally healthy but is known for hip dysplasia, primary hyperparathyroidism, heart defects such as tetralogy of Fallot, epilepsy, hypothyroidism and certain skin conditions. Responsible breeders screen hips, hearts and thyroid function, and test for the inherited disorders that have DNA tests.

This is general information about the breed. A veterinarian is the person to ask about any particular dog.

History

The Keeshond is generally traced to the spitz types kept on barges along the canals and rivers of the Netherlands. In the late eighteenth century it became associated with the Dutch Patriots, a political party whose leader, Kees de Gyselaer, had a dog called Kees. The breed fell out of favor when the Patriots lost power and nearly disappeared. Dutch fanciers rebuilt it in the 1920s, a breed club formed in England soon after, and it reached the United States in the 1920s. The American Kennel Club recognized it in 1930.

Is the Keeshond right for you?

A Keeshond suits a household where someone is home often, where barking is tolerated and where a plush coat is appreciated more than a tidy floor. It is a good choice for families and for those who want a sociable, trainable medium dog. It is not suited to people who want a quiet dog or a short-haired one.

If you like the look, compare the larger Samoyed and the smaller American Eskimo Dog. For a hardier working spitz, consider the Norwegian Elkhound.