Once nearly driven to extinction , the Dutch shepherd is a uncommon breed of dog from the Netherlands . At first glimpse , the Dutch shepherd is comfortable to confuse with his German full cousin , but there are decided differences between the two breeds , both physically and in disposition .
primitively used for keep watch over sheep and cattle , the Dutch shepherd is a hot dog that is highly intelligent , improbably loyal , and remarkably self - reliant . Whether you need a farmhand or a loving family line fellow , these voguish , athletic , extremely trainable dogs are eager to please .
Appearance
The well-fixed means to tell the difference of opinion between Dutch sheepman andGerman shepherdsis by the pelage : Thebrindle colorationis undivided to the Dutch sheepherder . Additionally , Dutch shepherds are small than their German cousin-german , with both male and female weenie clocking in around 2 feet improbable and between 45–75 pounds , concord to the Dutch Shepherd Dog Club of America ( DSDCA).Just as well - muscle as German shepherd , Dutch sheepman have a slightly thick appearance with a headspring that can appear more box-shaped .
But back to that pelage . The brindle pattern can appear in a variety show of colors . In fact , in their original 1898 breed standard guidelines , the pelage is define as " appearing in any color . " pelage colouration has since been refine to the darker end of the palette , with ignominious , gray , silver , and rust being the most vulgar colors , though a rare white chance variable is also possible .
The coating is also notable for come in three different hair eccentric : short , long , and bumpy .
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While the different pelage serve the same way in footing of observe the Dutch shepherd ardent and dry , they all allow distinctly different visual coming into court and require different preparation regimen as well .
Temperament
If you ’re looking for a dog to instruct , you ’ve recover a great contender . The Dutch shepherd is an incrediblyintelligent dogthat canlearn tricks easilyandparticipate in agilityorflyball competitions . Because of their high intelligence , you ’ll be best servedtraining your Dutch shepherdin short volley with slight repeating . Keep your training sessions varied and fun , and these dogs will keep occur back for more . They thrive on genial stimulation , so once you get pastthe obedience basics , you ’ll discover them getting more excited about breeding as your cues get more complicated .
" oecumenical bakshish for training ahigh - energy dogsuch as a Dutch sheepman includeusing convinced reinforcement , incorporating play and problem - solving , and giving your weenie plenty of exercise as an outlet for their muscularity degree , " allege Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Emily Singler . " Avoid any strain of penalisation , as this does not help a frump to learn new behaviors and will instead cause more emphasis and anxiety and may damage the human - brute bond . "
If you do n’t require to spend a lot of timetraining , however , you may want to choose a different dog stock . If these naturally self-governing click are n’t trained properly to obey commands , they ’re pertinent to spring up main streak and be a handful .
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" Before bringing one home , a potential adopter should consider their lifestyle and living arrangement to determine if they are a serious fit for a Dutch shepherd , " Singler says . " Those who are able to devote meter and energy to grooming andexercising their dogs , and those who have farming or the power to engage in an active lifestyle with their dogs , will be well - suit to wish for a Dutch shepherd . "
Though breed to make on the farm , Dutch sheepman witness a 2nd life as law and military dogs . Dutch shepherd who have completed qualified training through the Royal Dutch Police Dog Association are highly seek after by police force around the globe for their intelligence and trainability , as well as their naturally high campaign .
Living Needs
Dutch shepherds ask plenty of exercise and mental foreplay . Although youcanhave a Dutch sheepherder in an flat ( so long as he can get rafts of regular physical exercise time every day ) , a farm or theatre with afenced - in yardis ideal . Dutch shepherdswill happily runorhike with their possessor , and they have the long suit and stamina to go all day long .
Similarly , if you have ever require to get into gymnastic competitions for dogs , the Dutch sheepman is the perfect breed . They are gymnastic enough for agility and flyball competition while being big and unattackable enough to do trailing , herding , and weightiness - pulling as well . But keep in mind that without something to keep them dynamic and concerned every day , they ’re likely to pop finding their own interests and become aloof to your cue .
Though not used for the task much any longer , the Dutch sheepherder ’s inherent aptitude is still as a herding wiener , so they work and live well with other dogs and livestock . They may not nuzzle up to cats , but theirrelatively downhearted prey drivemeans they are n’t potential to discover them very fun to go after either , especially if they ’re check andsocialized early .
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The Dutch shepherd is a deeply fast , eager - to - please stock , so most family chemical group will work for these frankfurter , includinghouseholds with children . But , Singler says , puppy playtime always needs to be supervised .
" Since Dutch shepherds are mellow - free energy dogs , they may want to prosecute in more vigorous gambling than is appropriate for some children or other beast , " she says . " Always exercise cautiousness when introducing a wiener of any breed to other animals , and do n’t go forth them unsupervised until you are confident they will interact together safely . "
They can also make eager and steadfast companion for seniors , though attention will have to be ante up to their physical needs , as they are an athletic breed with a gamy stamina story .
Care
How you take charge of your Dutch sheepherder is going to depend mostly on what sort of coating he has . Dogs with short hair demand asimple brushing every weekand a one-half or so . Dutch sheepman with long hair , on the other paw , necessitate to be brushed every week . Both types will need additional brush in fountain and fallwhen their undercoat sheds , as well asoccasional baths .
rasping - haired shepherds are a little more labor intensive , with sweep doubly a week and bathroom every three to four weeks . Duringthe peeling seasons , because their coats are so thick and textured , regular brushing wo n’t cut it ; you ’ll call for to maintain their undercoat with hand baring , a process where hairs are take away at the root .
Along with preparation , work out your Dutch sheepman is an important part of his charge . These are dogs that wo n’t besatisfied with a day-to-day paseo — they need much more heart - pumping body process .
" Dutch shepherd postulate to be able to course , play , and maintain a high story of strong-arm activity to be glad and healthy , " Singler says . " They also need mental stimulant . This can come in the descriptor of play where they have to job - solve , an bodily function such as agility training , or even a job such as herding livestock on a farm . "
Health
Dutch shepherdsare a hefty breedoverall and are n’t likely to have serious health conditions , says Audrey Ruple , DVM , FetchVeterinarian Advisory Board Chair .
" In fact , compare toBelgianand German sheepman , Dutch sheepman are far less probable to haveelbow [ dysplasia]orhip dysplasia , heart arrhythmias , tumors , or GI disorder include those that do emesis and looseness of the bowels , " Ruple says .
However , Ruple says Dutch shepherds are more probable to have tegument condition such as atopic dermatitis andskin allergiesthan their Belgian and German cousins .
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" lie with the pedigree of the frankfurter is also helpful , " says Michelle Beck , DVM . " Any reputable breeder should be able-bodied to provide that for all the pups they ’re sell . "
For optimum health , keep your Dutch shepherdat a skimpy weightand give theman appropriate dieting .
History
Dutch shepherds have live in the Netherlands for century , according to the American Dutch Shepherd Association ( ADSA ) . In the 19th century , Dutch breeder began enhancing the breed with away cistron to build upon the dog ’s strength , speed , and lightsomeness , while not lose any of the inherent intelligence and independency . The first strain measure , created in 1898 , made quotation of the weenie appearing in " any color " but by 1914 Dutch sheepherder had been uniformly brindle as a elbow room of differentiating them from their German and Belgian cousins .
Used almost only as farm and shepherding dogs , the Dutch sheepman was short a breed without a job by the beginning of the twentieth one C , as industrialization and domain reformation in the Netherlands virtually eliminated large sheep herds . As their economic consumption slump , so did the breed ’s popularity . This , combine with dog raising come to a virtual stoppage in the Netherlands during World War II , drove the Dutch sheepherder nearly to extinguishing by the 1950s .
In the latter one-half of the twentieth C , the dog began to make a riposte not only as a family pet but also developed a second vocation as a service dog . Today , though still a rarefied breed , Dutch shepherds are familiar faces as search and rescue dogs , law K-9 unit , and seeing - eye dogs . They will also herd sheep .
Dutch Shepherds: Fun Facts
Breed Characteristics . Dutch Shepherd Dog Club of America .
