The keeshond is an intelligent old stock that has long been produce as mob associate and look out dogs . They are well - season cad with lots of personality and a striking gray , cream , and black double coat .
The keeshond ( pronounced " kayz - hawnd , " plural form " keeshonden " ) is a average - sized companion breed that historically served as watch detent on barges in Holland . Keeshonden are well - tempered pups who get along well in kinsfolk situations andare well trained . The stock has a thick grizzly , cream , and black double pelage with typical spectacle grading around the eyes . Keeshonden will necessitate regular grooming to maintain their visual aspect and steady use to match their active disposition .
Though a beautiful and glad weenie , the keeshond is relativelyrare in the United States .
Daniela Duncan / Getty
Appearance
The keeshond is a strikingmedium - sized dogwith just ears and athick double coatin grey-haired , black , and emollient . " They should have a full coating that is harsh on the outer hair and soft on the flat coat , " saysKristen Dowd , keeshond breeder and AKC stock breeder of merit . This double coat is thick like a lion ’s mane around the neck opening , nearer fitting around the dead body , and shorter at the headway , pegleg , and foot . They have richly plumed tails that curl bland against their bodies . Their full coats will require veritable care .
Keeshonden typically have dark brown eyes and distinctive spectacles — dark blood scoring slanting from the outer corner of each oculus that make it look as if they ’re fag out spectacles . These feature give them an alert and thinking look ; some have also called their expressions " fox - like " because of their promontory shape , almond eyes , and devious eye placement .
A full - grow keeshond is between 17–18 inches tall and will weigh 35–45 pounds .
stockfotocz / Getty
Temperament
Keeshonden are well - tempered dogs with lots of personality . " They are punch-drunk , speculative , and very warm and attach to their people , " Dowd says .
As a detent historically train to horrify their owners in case of a hazard , bark comes naturallyto a keeshond . However , " if you put the campaign into train them and correcting the barking behaviour as a puppy , they will not bark incessantly , " Dowd says .
A keeshond is anextremely activeandhighly intelligent dog , so he will be a fast learner during breeding . TheKeeshond Club of Americarecommendsenrolling your keeshond pup into education classesto teach him the basics of being polite andsocialize him to new peopleand other puppy .
Dyrefotografi.dk Adobe Stock
Living Needs
A keeshond does good in a habitation with the great unwashed around ; he is not a kennel dog . " They thrive in an environment where they can get and give care and love , " Dowd tell . " They do not do well in isolation . " Because they ’re so chic and need to keep their brains busybodied , keeshonden involve copious genial stimulation — evenpuzzlesorother synergistic toyswill go a long way . Dowd say a hushed menage with no natural process is not the best stead for a keeshond .
Keeshonden fit into family with other click and fry easily , and they will receive strangers in with open implements of war — especiallyif they wreak treats .
While he can tolerateapartment life , a keeshond enjoy catch out andexercising daily . He can alsowithstand cold weather , and he ’ll even like to take reward of snow days when they come along .
animalinfo / Getty
Care
All that floof take some employment to maintain . Dowd recommends keeshond ownersbrush and comb out their frank hebdomadally — at lower limit . But keeshonden do ask lessfrequent bathingthan other breeds because their coat are ego - cleaning and produce minimum odor . A keeshondshould be bathed monthly , but they can go longer between bathtub if they are brushed to the pelt at least monthly . Ideally , you should take your keeshond to see a groomer at least every three or four calendar month for sustenance training .
" A good coating texture will provide the domestic dog and owner with a pleasant experience come train time and will want less maintenance than an incorrect pelage texture , " Dowd says .
Keeshonden shed doubly a yr , when they"blow " or shed their intact undercoatall at once . This seasonal shedding can be intense and last up to three weeks . And , like all wienerwurst , a keeshond needs hisnails trimmedand histeeth brushed on the fixture .
Eve Photography / Shutterstock
Keeshonden are an active stock . Plan forregular walks with your keeshond , particularly if he does n’t have admission to afenced - in yardto run around in . " Keeshonden have a temperate exercise requirement and can unremarkably get by with one to two walk per 24-hour interval , " saysAlicen Tracey , DVMat Den Herder Veterinary Hospital in Waterloo , Iowa , and a fellow member of the Daily Paws Advisory Board .
Dowd says keeshonden are fast learners and will quicklypick up training basicsif taught with patience andpositive reinforcement .
Health
The typical lifespan of a keeshond is between 12–15 years . " There are somehealth issuesin the breed , so always essay out a reputable breeder that does pre - breeding health masking and can allow you with the corroboration of normal results , " Dowd says . Do n’t be afraid to ask questions of the stock breeder .
harmonise to Tracey , the keeshond stock is particularly prone to hyperparathyroidism , ventricular septal defect , and Alopecia X.
" Hyperparathyroidismis a disease that keeshond can be prone to inherit due to an autosomal rife trait that typically affect a type of genus Cancer associated with their parathyroid secretory organ , " Tracey says . Prognosis is typically excellent after a keeshond undergoes OR . " vulgar clinical signs of this disease include increased urination and hungriness , straining or trouble urinating , inappetence , lethargy , or vomit , " she say .
Ventricular septate defectis a " inborn defect of the core " that can be ancestral in keeshonden and is characterized by " communication between the right and left heart ventricle of the centre , " Tracey aver . puppy with this defect may have a loud heart murmur and other symptom admit impuissance , lassitude , cough , or even faint .
Alopecia Xis a mainly decorative condition causing harmonious hairsbreadth loss on a dog ’s back conclusion .
" Keeshonden can also be prone to other type of ailments common for their size of it of breed , such asdiabetes mellitus , elbow dysplasia , hip dysplasia , orpatellar luxation , " Tracey says .
Regular veterinarian checkupsand aid will facilitate your keeshond remain in full wellness .
History
The keeshond is an older stock of Arctic or Subarctic blood . They are consider to be in the spitz family of dogs along with breeds like theAlaskan malamute , Akita , chow chow , andPomeranian . Keeshonden appeared in the work of neat creative person and even tolerate by the side ofEnglish royaltylike George I , George IV , and Victoria I.
According to theKeeshond Club of America , the keeshond was popular in Holland where they served as a barge domestic dog . They were continue as watch dogs and companions on Dutch vessels sail the man - made waterways . Cornelius " Kees " de Gyselaar , drawing card of the eighteenth century Dutch Patriot Party , had a keeshond as his constant comrade , so the breed became the symbol of the Patriot Party . When the party was defeated in the 1770s , the political significance made owning a keeshond dangerous .
Over a hundred passed before the keeshond do back into the public eye . The stock was known as the Dutch keeshond . In 1910 , several keeshonden were brought to England . The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1930 .
