Keeshond

Video: Keeshond

History of the Keeshond breed

At various dog shows, keeshonds are usually presented as the Dutch "version" german pomeranian , which has been one of the most common European breeds since the XVI century. Initially, the aristocratic image of the dogs was not fixed, so the wolfspits played the role of ordinary mongrels: they hung around the farms and vineyards of German peasants, occasionally barking at strangers who violated territorial borders.

It is not known exactly how and when the ancestors of the Keeshonds emigrated to the Netherlands, but they took root in a new place quickly and even managed to participate in the political life of the country – the breed was very respected by the leader of the local patriot party Cornelius de Giselar. Subsequently, this involvement in the rebel movement cost the lives of thousands of dogs, who were exterminated simply because they had the misfortune to please the rebel earlier. However, it was not possible to completely destroy the breed, and the Dutch Keeshonds continued to breed, gradually restoring their own numbers.

In 1880, German dog breeders standardized all varieties of spitz, which included keeshonds. In the future, the development of the breed took place not so much in the Netherlands as in England, Sweden, Australia and the USA. As for the show career, it began for keeshonds in 1891, when several animals were presented at the Amsterdam exhibition. By that time, the Wolfspits from the Netherlands were renamed "barge dogs" due to the fact that they often dissected with the owners of small vessels on Dutch rivers.

In 1924, the first monopred club, the Nederlandse Keeshond Club, began operating in the Netherlands, owing its discovery to Baroness van Hardenbroek, who at that time was considered the largest breeder of barge dogs in the country. And two years later, the Dutch keeshonds were registered by the Kennel Club of Great Britain.

In the USSR, dogs similar to keeshonds appeared in the 1980s, but they were circus animals that were not suitable for the role of breeding material. The breed began to be fully bred in Russia only from the mid-90s, and at first the wards of domestic breeders did not meet the standards of international cynological associations. As a result, in 1993, foreign champion manufacturers were brought to the country, from which some of today's keeshonds trace their pedigree.

Keeshond breed standard

Despite the fact that the FCI continues to see the Keeshonds as a kind of Wolfspitz and allows representatives of both families to be exhibited in the same ring, there are significant differences in the appearance and characters of the breeds, which it is better to know in advance. For example, although keeshonds are considered the largest representatives in the spitz group, they are much more compact than their German cousins.

A more advantageous appearance is also an advantage of the "Dutch", since at one time German breeders relied on practicality, preferring to develop working qualities in wolfspits, rather than glamor of appearance. There are different breeds and colors. Keeshonds have a richer color palette of wool and includes gray, black and beige shades. But the fur coats of German spitz have a traditional wolf color, in which the hairs have gray and black-and-white tones.

Going for a walk with a keeshond, get ready that passers-by will see in your friend a wide variety of breeds: from chow chow to Caucasian shepherd . And the point here is not in cynological illiteracy, but in the unique feature of the "Dutch" to simultaneously resemble representatives of several dog groups at once.

Head

The keeshond has a medium-sized head, wide in the occipital part and acquiring a wedge-shaped shape in the area of the muzzle. The stop is smooth, turning into a harmonious short muzzle (the ratio of the length of the muzzle to the length of the cranial part of the head is 2:3).

Nose

All representatives of the breed have a round miniature lobe of black color.

Jaws, lips

The medium-sized jaws of the keeshond are closed either in a scissor-like or pincer-like bite (less preferred option). The dog's lips are black, well-fitting, without pronounced folds.

Eyes

Dark, oblique eyes differ in small size and oval shape. The eyelids of the animal are black.

Ears

The tiny ears of the keeshond have a triangular shape and a hard pointed tip. The ear cloth is fixed in an upright position, which gives the appearance of the dog a perky and mischievous look.

Neck

The necks of purebred representatives of the breed have a convex nape, but are completely devoid of suspension.

Housing

The high withers of the keeshond turns into a wide short back, ending with the same short and massive croup. The chest of the animal is harmoniously developed, the belly is slightly picked up.

Limbs

The Wolfspitz brothers have broad, straight legs with long shoulder blades and muscular thighs. The angles of articulation are moderate, although the knee joints themselves are powerful. The metatarsals and pasterns are strong, but not long. The paws of the keeshond are small, "feline", with black claws. The front paws are maximally rounded, the hind legs are more oval.

Tail

The high-set tail of the dog at the base is turned up and forward and thrown on its back.

Wool

Representatives of the Spitz clan, including Keeshonds, have a double coat formed by a plump layer of the thickest undercoat and a bristling outer hair. The tail and the area around the neck are most abundantly pubescent, which gives the silhouette of the dog a pleasant roundness.

Color

The FCI standard provides for the same type of color for keeshonds as for Wolfspits (wolf). However, upon closer examination, it is noticeable that the "Dutch" have a richer coat shade due to a small percentage of cream hairs (Wolfspitz hair is silver-gray with a black tip).

The dog's muzzle and ears are colored darker than the body. A black border of wool is formed around the eyes, and the same dark wool forms expressive eyebrows above the eyes. The hair on the mane and shoulders of the keeshond is lighter than in the body area. The limbs and pants on the hips have an exquisite silver-gray tone.

Disqualifying vices and defects of the breed

A Keeshond of any gender cannot participate in the exhibition if he has:

• semi-erect ears;
• wrapped or turned out eyelids;
• there are white spots on the coat;
• ungrown fontanelle;
• there are deviations from the types of bite allowed by the standard;
• shy or aggressive behavior.

Individuals with obvious appearance flaws that call into question their pedigree cannot count on good ratings. For example, keeshonds with a flat or rounded skull in the shape of an apple. Animals with large light eyes, pink nose lobe and incomplete set of teeth are also considered defective, as are pets that do not have a pronounced black-gray "pattern" on the muzzle.

The character of keeshond

Keeshond is a dog for those who need an easy–going companion, as well as a playful buddy for games and close emotional interaction. These fluffy, spherical "Dutch" are in constant spiritual dependence on the owner and his family members. Well, more specifically, Wolfspitz's kinsman will always prefer the company of a human to the canine society.

Keeshond is extremely peaceful and easily gets along with anyone. He does not treat pets (unless you yourself are pushing the pet to such actions) and is ready to be friends with anyone who has shown attention to him. The only thing that can disappoint and offend a dog is the psychological atmosphere reigning around it. Remember, keeshond is uncomfortable where they are constantly shouting and talking in raised tones, as well as where they do not pay attention to him, giving him the opportunity to entertain himself on his own.

Keeshonds, like cats, are tied to housing and practically do not sin by escapes. But these fluffy "mini-wolves" are sincerely happy to play, especially if the place of entertainment is transferred outside the home walls. In general, the right keeshond is such a shaggy extrovert who cares about everyone and everything and whose mission is to have an exceptionally positive attitude around. As an example: abroad, keeshonds, along with golden retrievers and labradors, are attracted to canister therapy, and this says a lot, since only the most emotionally stable representatives of the canine genus are selected for such procedures.

The breed also gets along with children. Of course, it would be naive to expect a pet to calm a crying newborn baby, but the fact that a dog will find something to occupy and captivate a kindergarten student is a fact. However, it is not recommended to abuse the good nature of a four-legged friend. If the animal has settled down to rest, it is unreasonable and cruel to "pull" it because someone wanted to have fun. Don't forget the "Dutch" are excellent animators, but not obsequious buffoons.

Education and training

If Wolfspitz is a friend, colleague and a bit of a hard worker, faithfully guarding the master's property, then his Dutch cousin is a smiling dog and a cheerful altruist, who should be gradually introduced to any work activity. And although everything is more than fine with the intelligence of the breed, you will still have to search for specific approaches to education and training.

Keep in mind that you can't put pressure on keeshonds and force them to do something from under a stick. Like all breeds, the relatives of German Spitz do not tolerate menacing shouts and overly intrusive dominance of the owner. And this happens not because the dog wants to play the role of alpha itself, but because an unusual behavior model is imposed on it.

Remember that the breed has not historically been a watchdog, and do not expect that it will become such if a professional dog handler works with its representative. You can teach a keeshond to bark at a stranger who has invaded your possessions, but instilling in him aggression and suspicion of a "Caucasian" is obviously an impossible task. Accordingly, if you need a furry guard with the makings of a defender, with such requirements definitely not for keeshonds.

It is possible and necessary to teach a four-legged prankster, but based on his preferences. So teach your pet basic skills in the game and do not delay the duration of lessons. The best option is to divide the lesson into five minutes, between which it is useful to maintain long pauses of 10-15 minutes. It is important to understand: the keeshond is not a breed that will tolerate and perform dull exercises in order to please someone. Nevertheless, the animal has enough strength and talents to deal with the subtleties of the OKD and cultivate an interest in agility and freestyle, if these disciplines are correctly, and most importantly, presented in a fascinating way.

As for the rules of home etiquette, there are no difficulties for the "Dutch". Keeshonds are naturally clean, so they quickly learn to use a tray or diaper for its intended purpose and agree to be patient in critical situations when access to the outdoor toilet is blocked. It is not difficult to wean the dog from the pursuit of the owner and persistent calls to play, if it is inconvenient for the owner. In such cases, you need to gently but firmly refuse the ward. Do not worry, the dog will not have stress, the animal will simply switch its attention to another object or go to rest and wait for it to be called again.

Maintenance and care

The ancestors of the Keeshonds were ordinary yard dogs that lived in kennels, or even under the walls of sheds. Today, the "smiling Dutch" are more often kept in homes, because it is easier to preserve their glamorous image. The only nuance that will have to be taken into account is the poor tolerance of high temperatures by animals. Having lived in the damp climate of Holland and Foggy Albion for too long, the Keeshonds managed to adapt to it and now prefer pleasant coolness to the heat. By the way, this is another reason why it is undesirable to keep a dog in a city apartment – four-legged friends are demanding not only to the freedom of space, but also to the temperature regime, which in such rooms is difficult to adjust to the level necessary for a keeshond.

Hygiene

The wool of barge dogs performs the function of a natural temperature regulator, thanks to which the animals do not freeze on cool days and do not overheat in the heat. However, if the condition of the hair is not monitored, it quickly loses its magical properties. In particular, keeshond needs combing, without which his fur coat accumulates excess fat and gets dirty, thereby preventing air circulation in the layers of wool. But the wolfspitz relatives practically do not form tangles, and this is already a significant plus for owners who do not want to burden themselves with daily care of a four-legged minx.

Haircuts to keeshonds are contraindicated, because they change the structure of the hair and expose the undercoat, making the body more vulnerable. An exception is made only for elderly individuals who, due to their age, suffer more from high temperatures. However, it is not worth getting too carried away here, and in general it is more reasonable to choose a lion's "hairstyle" for a doggie that preserves the breed characteristics of appearance. For young and healthy animals, the hair is not shortened, but for hygienic reasons, the hairs are cut between the fingers and around the anal zone.

The outer hair of the keeshonda sheds moderately throughout the year, so if you do not want to find shaggy "traces" on the floor, do not neglect weekly combing. The undercoat also needs care. Once every six months, this natural "insulation" sheds profusely, so it is necessary to get rid of it. By the way, it is undesirable to trim the animal. It is better to walk through the fur coat with a frequent comb or brush, the effect of which can be enhanced with a comb spray or an antistatic agent from a pet store.

Surprisingly, it is possible to maintain the stylish image of the keeshond almost without washing. Of course, if you are the owner of a show pet, you cannot do without an arsenal of shampoos, balms and conditioners, as well as without trips to the groomer. But most pet individuals easily put up with the absence of bath days, so it is recommended to wash a furry friend with the use of special pet products only if his coat is dirty and exudes an unpleasant ambergris. In other cases, it is easy to replace the shower with a thorough combing.

The eyes and ears of keeshonds are trouble-free, but periodic cleaning and wiping are also necessary for them, so do not skimp on ophthalmic lotions and liquids for the treatment of the auricle. It is necessary to brush the dog's teeth at least twice a week, and once a month the keeshond is supposed to cut and polish the claws.

Feeding

Keeshond is still a fan of stuffing his stomach, but this is not a reason to be touched and feed a pet from a basin. The tendency to obesity in the breed is hereditary, so all attempts to please the dog with supplements and high-calorie delicacies lead to a set of extra pounds and trips to veterinary offices. The caloric content of the keeshond diet should be of a pronounced seasonal nature. In winter, the "Dutchman" is obliged to receive more meat and offal (up to 500 g per day), but in summer it is more useful to unload the digestive tract with a modest 300 g of animal protein.

The standard weight of the daily keeshond diet is 750-900 g. Usually the menu includes the same products that are allowed to other dogs: cereals (oatmeal, buckwheat, rice), vegetables (except potatoes and broccoli), low-fat dairy products, egg yolks. A complete ban on consumption applies to any food from the master's table, sweets, sausages and smoked meats, bones, raw fish, fruits (citrus fruits, grapes, pomegranates), semolina and fatty pork.

Usually puppies are distributed at the age of two months, just at the time when babies can be transferred to four meals a day. Further, the need to reduce the number of meals of the animal falls entirely on the owner. By the way, do not forget that a 9-month-old keeshond should eat no more than twice a day.

Owners who prefer to keep pets on dry food can recommend super premium and holistic class brands, and special attention should be paid to cereals in the composition, which should be as little as possible in the "drying". It is normal if rice grains (white or brown) are included in the feed and not very good if the main cereal additive is wheat. Another important nuance: some expensive feeds can affect the shade of the keeshond's coat, which can be a serious nuisance for the owners of show animals - the tone of the dog's coat is examined meticulously at the exhibition.

Health and diseases of keeshonds

There is an opinion that, unlike Wolfspits, keeshonds have suffered less from breeding experiments and, accordingly, have stronger health. Nevertheless, the breed has several serious ailments due to heredity. One of them is hip dysplasia. The disease is transmitted from producers to offspring, therefore, breeders who value their reputation examine breed individuals for the presence of this ailment.

Subluxation of the kneecap, which is often found in keeshonds, can have both a genetic nature and a mechanical one. Often the disease develops as a result of an injury that was not noticed by the owner in a timely manner. In some representatives of the breed, Willebrand's disease may also occur – a violation of the blood clotting process.

Malfunctions of the thyroid gland and insufficient amount of hormones produced by it lead to the development of hypothyroidism, which keeshonda puppies inherit from their parents. But epilepsy, which a few decades ago was considered a scourge of the breed, is becoming rarer today. However, when buying a puppy, it will be useful to clarify information about epileptic seizures in a bitch and a male producer.

How to choose a puppy

• Choosing a keeshond puppy by gender is pointless. Representatives of this breed do not have pronounced "girl" and "boy" character traits. At the same time, males are endowed with a more textured appearance, while females are distinguished by a pleasant grace of physique.
• Ask the breeder for the results of the examination of the offspring producers for genetic ailments – dysplasia, patella, hypothyroidism.
• Look for a breeder who is ready to give the puppy no earlier than he turns 8 weeks old – at this age, babies are ready to painlessly part with their mother and brothers.
• Evaluate the conditions of keeshond keeping, giving preference to nurseries where suburban cultivation is practiced and animals are not locked in cages and cramped apartments.
• If you expect to get a show dog, look for breeders offering 4-month-old puppies. At this age, the exhibition potential of the keeshond is better visible.
• Pay special attention to the color of the puppy. Unwrap the wool, evaluate the thickness and uniformity of the undercoat and immediately refuse to buy if even a miniature white spot is found on the fur coat – this is a serious defect that calls into question the pedigree of the litter.

Keeshond price

A keeshonda puppy from titled producers with the brand of a well-known kennel will cost $400 – $500. The average representative of the breed, who does not have an outstanding appearance, but is suitable for the role of a pet, is on average $200 – $250 . Sometimes on websites and forums, "super-profitable" ads that offer keeshonds by $100 – $150. Usually, at low prices, either animals that are not quite successful in aesthetic terms come true, or offspring from not too healthy, or even generally unexplored producers.