Keeshond

When pronouncing the word ‘keeshond,’ remember it sounds like you’re saying the words ‘case haunt.’ This medium-sized canine has a thick double coat and dark, searching eyes.

The history of the keeshond dates back to the 18th century. This dog was a companion and mouse hunter on Dutch ships sailing through manmade waterways. During that time, this dog was used as a symbol of the Dutch Patriots Party. It was considered a breed of the common people as opposed to a canine that would belong to a member of the royal family in the House of Orange.

This family-friendly, energetic dog belongs to the non-sporting group and loves to be wherever the action is happening.

3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Keeshond

Size and Weight

A male is 18 inches tall at the withers, whereas a female is 17 inches tall. Both males and females of this breed weigh 45lbs fully grown. A 7-week-old puppy weighs around 8lbs. This breed is fully grown at 2 years old.

Origins

The tale of the Keeshond is one of an ebb and flow of fortunes. During the 1700s and the 1800s, the canine known for its abundant coat and intimidating bark kept watch over the barges that plied Holland’s waterways in their numbers. In time, it also became the symbol of the opposition that stood against the ruling House of Orange. As a matter of fact, the name of the breed is believed to derive from Cornelis (Kees) de Gyselaer, the leader of the opposition. However, the House of Orange emerged as the victor in that conflict, and the Keeshond saw its popularity plummet.

The early part of the 20th century marked a turning point for the breed. Following a visit to the Netherlands, in1905, Miss Hamilton-Fletcher brought a number of them back to England, her country of origin. She returned to Holland, working assiduously with Keeshond owners to ensure the welfare of the canine. By 1915, enthusiasts founded their very own club for the breed. The Keeshond was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1930.

Common Health Issues

Like most dogs, keeshonds have health issues that are common to their breed. Diabetes is one of those conditions. This is a condition that doesn’t allow the dog to metabolize sugar properly. Weight loss, excessive thirst, and increased urination can all be symptoms. This condition can be managed with some extra attention to the dog’s diet and the use of medications.

Cataracts are another common health issue for this breed. Cataracts mostly affect older dogs and can cause various degrees of vision loss and blindness. Cataract surgery is a treatment option. Heart disease is another common issue for keeshonds. These dogs are prone to obesity, which can contribute to heart issues. Feeding a keeshond the proper diet and giving it adequate exercise can help prevent heart issues.

Keeshond Temperament and Behavior

Keeshonds have a friendly personality. They are curious, gentle, and like to be around their family. Not surprisingly, they were originally bred to be companions. They are alert, which is a trait that makes them easily trainable.

The one drawback with this breed is its grooming routine. It should be brushed twice weekly to remove tangles as well as loose or dead hair. This process can take up to 30 minutes. Keeping a consistent brushing routine contributes to the health and appearance of its coat.

This canine is a popular choice due to its affectionate nature and obedient behavior. A family looking for an energetic, beautiful dog that loves attention is likely to be happy with a keeshond.

The Keeshond is considered to be one of the best dog breeds for apartment living.

How to Take Care of a Keeshond

Learning more about the diet, grooming, health issues, and training requirements of this breed can help an owner give it the best possible care. Whether you choose a puppy or an adult, learn what’s involved in caring for this pet.

The Best Dog Food for Keeshonds

An adult keeshond requires a different type of diet than a puppy. Taking the common health issues of this breed into consideration can help an owner find a balanced diet for their canine.

Keeshond puppy food: Protein in a keeshond puppy’s diet supports the healthy growth of tissue. Food with a specified amount of carbohydrates gives a puppy energy without adding needless calories. Helping a puppy maintain the proper weight for its age is one way to avoid the development of heart disease. Fat in a puppy’s diet, as well as vitamin A, helps to support good eye health. Omega-3 fatty acids in a puppy’s diet support vision and brain development. Calcium is important in the development of healthy bones.

Keeshond adult dog food: Protein is essential in an adult keeshond’s diet as well. Fish in an adult canine’s diet provides protein to the canine while not overloading it with carbohydrates. A fish-based diet can keep an adult keeshond’s weight normal and help it to avoid heart disease. Vitamin A contributes to eye health and may prevent the formation of cataracts. Fiber in an adult canine’s diet aids digestion. Calcium supports strong bones and teeth. Also, omega-3 fatty acids contribute to the health of an adult dog’s kidneys and prevent arthritis.

Keeshond Maintenance and Grooming

How much does a keeshond shed? Overall, keeshonds are known for shedding a moderate amount of hair. However, two times a year, they shed more heavily. During these two periods, a keeshond sheds its undercoat, and this shedding continues for about three weeks.

The grooming routine of a keeshond includes brushing it twice per week. This removes dead hair and keeps tangles from turning into mats. It can take up to 30 minutes to thoroughly brush this canine. A slicker brush is helpful in brushing the top layer of hair as well as the undercoat. Be sure the pins of the brush have plastic tips to protect sensitive skin. A wide-tooth comb is another useful grooming tool for removing small knots and tangles from fur.

A smaller brush with soft boar’s hair bristles is excellent for brushing a keeshond’s face. It’s gentle and easier to control when brushing around its eyes.

Start brushing the pup at its head and move toward its tail. After moving over the entire coat, mix up the routine a bit by brushing in the opposite direction. This is an easy way to create more fluff!

Bare spots in a keeshond’s coat or red areas of skin can point to allergies. The canine may be allergic to something in its food, its shampoo, or perhaps pollen or dust in the air.

A Keeshond’s Tail

A keeshond’s feathery tail curls up over its back in a charming way. A slicker brush can be used on its tail to remove tangles and knots. Once again, brushing the hair of its tail in both directions makes it look extra fluffy.

Keeshond Training

Keeshonds are alert, intelligent dogs. Most importantly, they are people pleasers, which means they are easy to train. Keeshonds are known for their ability to focus and take in the lessons they are being taught.

Keeshond Exercise

Daily exercise helps to keep keeshonds healthy. These are energetic dogs that like to get outside into the fresh air. A keeshond should have 30 to 40 minutes of exercise daily. These dogs like chasing a ball, running, jumping, and exploring a short trail in a park. These canines are also happy to walk on a leash through the neighborhood to check out the latest happenings in their environment.

Keeshond Puppies

One thing to keep in mind about keeshond puppies is their coat. Even though a puppy’s coat isn’t as thick as an adult canine’s, it should still be groomed to keep it clean and tangle-free. This is especially important because puppies are known to roll around on the ground picking up burrs, twigs, and other debris.

Keeshonds and Children

Keeshonds are good with kids of all ages. Their affectionate, playful nature fits right in when the kids want to run, play hide and seek, or explore the backyard for treasures.

Dogs Similar to Keeshonds

Other dogs similar to this breed include the American Eskimo dog, the Chow Chow, and the Finnish Spitz.

• American Eskimo: The American Eskimo belongs to the non-sporting group and is kid-friendly, just like the keeshond. However, this dog has a pure white coat, while a keeshond has a mix of tan, black, and gray in its coat.
• Chow Chow: A Chow Chow has a fluffy coat like the keeshond and is highly intelligent. A big difference between these two breeds is that the Chow Chow is not particularly kid-friendly.
• Finnish Spitz: Similar to a keeshond, the Finnish Spitz has a face like a fox. It’s every bit as friendly and energetic as a keeshond. But the Finnish Spitz can easily be distracted during an obedience training session.