Keeshond Dog Breed Profile

by Luke Blaise

AKC Group: Non-Sporting Group

The Keeshond dog is originally from Germany. With its thick double coat and curly tail, it is usually black and silver in color. A very intelligent dog, the Keeshond dog accelerates in field and obedience trials.

History

Basically unchanged over the last 2 centuries, the Keeshond dog originated from the exact arctic ranges as the Chow Chow, Finnish Spitz, Norwegian elkhound, Pomeranian and Samoyed. The Kees was actually worked as a watchdog on barges, farms and riverboats.

Especially famous in Holland in the late 18th century, the breed also grew to be symbolic of the Dutch Patriot political group and its head Kees de Gyselaer, who possessed a dog, called Kees and provided the dog its title. When Patriots were beaten, the Keeshond became exceptional in Holland until it had been revived a hundred years after, when it also started showing up in America and England.

Physical Features

The dog is a naturally, good looking breed of short-coupled, well-balanced body, getting attention not just by his pigmentation, attentive carriage, and clever expression, but also by the stand-off coat, the highly plumed tail nicely curled around the back, the fox like appearance, and the small pointed ears.

The coat is quite dense throughout the neck, fore area of the chest and shoulders, building a lion-like ruff-a lot more excessive in the male. The hind legs, right down to the hocks, also are heavily coated, building the feature "trousers." The ears, head, and lower thighs are coated with solid, short hair.

The Keeshond is a square-appearing, medium-sized, strong dog, neither rough nor gently made. The best height of wholly grown up dogs when calculated from the withers down is eighteen inches for males and seventeen inches for bitches- a 1 inch difference in either case is appropriate.

Personality

A great kid's companion, active, clever, very enthusiastic and confident. Keeshond is packed with character. Loving and amiable, the Keeshond loves everybody and should be part of the household functions. A genuine personality that is fast to understand if their masters are solid. They must be taught using mild, but firm, serene authority.

Common Health Problems

At risk of hip dysplasia, skin complications and heart problems. In some Keeshonds which have luxating patellas, very challenging exercise may cause the trick knee to manifest.

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