Kooikerhondje

Canis lupus

Last updated: May 27, 2024
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff
Lisjatina/Shutterstock.com

If Kooikerhondjes look familiar, it’s because old Dutch masters like Rembrandt and Jan Steen liked to paint them.


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Kooikerhondje Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
Scientific Name
Canis lupus

Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals.

Kooikerhondje Conservation Status

Kooikerhondje Locations

Kooikerhondje Locations

Kooikerhondje Facts

Fun Fact
If Kooikerhondjes look familiar, it’s because old Dutch masters like Rembrandt and Jan Steen liked to paint them.
Temperament
Affable, alert, cheerful
Diet
Omnivore

Kooikerhondje Physical Characteristics

Color
  • Red
  • White
Skin Type
Hair
Lifespan
12 to 14 years.
Weight
24 pounds

Kooikerhondje as a Pet:

General Health
Energy Level
Shedability
Trainability
Intelligence
Tendency to Chew
Size
Family and kid friendliness
Yappiness / Barking
Moderate
Separation Anxiety
Low
Preferred Temperature
Average climate
Exercise Needs
Moderate
Friendly With Other Dogs
Moderate
Pure bred cost to own
$3,000 - $3,500
Dog group
Sporting
Male weight
20-24 lbs
Female weight
20-24 lbs

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If Kooikerhondjes look familiar, it’s because old Dutch masters like Rembrandt and Jan Steen liked to paint them.

The word “Kooikerhondje” looks as though its pronunciation will be so difficult, most people don’t even try. Instead, they call this engaging canine a “cookie hound.” Really, though, the pronunciation isn’t that hard. Kooikerhondje is pronounced “COY-ker-HUND-che,” and means “little duck-trapper dog” in Dutch. Kooikerhondjes were originally working dogs, bred in the Netherlands sometime before the 16th century. Their job was to lure ducks into partially submerged decoys so that human hunters could more easily target the fowls.

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The breed remained popular in its native Netherlands until after World War I when improvements in guns made duck decoys obsolete. By 1939, Kooikerhondjes had become all but extinct but in 1940, the Baronesse von Hardenbroek van Ammerstol began breeding them as an act of resistance and national pride in the midst of the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. The breed is recognized by the American Kennel Club as part of its Sporting Group. Other names for the Kooikerhondje include cookie hound, Kooiker, and Dutch Spaniel. The breed is rapidly gaining popularity throughout the U.S. and Canada.

3 Pros And Cons Of Owning Kooikerhondje

Pros!Cons!
They’re playful: Kooikerhondjes are smart and sociable, so they take a particular delight in playing games. Whether it’s fetch, tug-of-war, or frisbee with their human families or barn hunts, dock diving, lure coursing and agility, or competing against other dogs, Kooikers are always up for a romp.They can be medically fragile: All Kooikerhondjes alive today are descended from the 38 dogs originally bred by Baronesse van Ammerstol. That means that Kooikerhondjes have a higher than average risk of inheriting genetic diseases. If you’re interested in Kooikerhondje puppies, make sure you deal with a responsible breeder who understands the importance of genetic testing.
They’re adaptable: Kooikerhondjes are athletic because they were bred to be working dogs, but you won’t have to run them until they drop from exhaustion in order to keep them from acting out destructively. They’re happy to take their exercise cues from you. They’re also equally happy living in small apartments or large farmhouses.They have a high prey instinct: Dutch Spaniels were bred to hunt ducks, so naturally they like to chase smaller animals that run from them. With proper socialization and training, they can learn to overcome this tendency, but it’s never wise to leave a Kooiker alone with a cat or other small pet it doesn’t know.
They’re quietly demonstrative: Kooikerhondjes are affectionate dogs, but they’re not needy. They’re content just to hang out and chill in your presence.They shed: Kooikerhondjes shed a fair amount throughout the year, but in the early spring and early fall, shedding is a particular problem. This is not a dog you’ll want to own if someone in your family has allergies.
A small spaniel-type breed of dog, Kooikerhondje, standing on a rock.
A small spaniel-type breed of dog, Kooikerhondje, grows

to a height

between 14 and 16 inches tall.

Size And Weight

Kooikerhondjes are small dogs. Adult males grow to a height between 15 and 16 inches tall while females grow to a height between 14 and 15 inches. Adults of both sexes generally weigh between 20 and 24 pounds.

Height (Male)15-16” Tall
Height (Male)14-15” Tall
Weight (male)20-24 lbs., fully grown
Weight (female)20-24 lbs., fully grown

Common Health Issues

Healthy Kooikerhondjes can be expected to live between 12 and 14 years. Because their breeding pool over the past 80 years has been relatively small, they are prone to hereditary canine diseases such as epilepsy, necrotizing myelopathy, von Willebrand’s disease, patellar luxation, cataracts, and kidney diseases. Responsible breeders know how to encourage genetic diversity even within a limited gene pool to reduce the incidence of serious illnesses among Kooikerhondjes.

Health and Entertainment for your Kooikerhondje

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  • Epilepsy
  • Necrotizing myelopathy
  • Von Willebrand’s disease
  • Patellar luxation

Temperament

Kooikerhondje isolated on white background.

Kooikerhondjs are keen observers of human behavior and are easily stressed by aggressive behaviors.

Kooikerhondjes have cheerful, good-natured personalities. They won’t be making incessant demands upon your attention. They’re keen observers of human behavior and will wait to play until they see their human is in the mood. One common trait many Kooikers share, however, is that they’re easily stressed by aggressive behaviors. They shy away from argumentative adult voices and loud, unruly children. While they are not aggressive toward strangers, they can be standoffish. It typically takes a while to earn a Kooikerhondje’s trust.

How To Take Care Of Kooikerhondjes

With their black-tipped ears and silky white coats dappled with orange spots, Kooikerhondjes have a distinctive appearance that requires regular grooming in order for them to look their best. Kooikers also have dietary, exercise, and training needs specific to their breed.

The Best Dog Food For Kooikerhondjes

Cute petite Kooikerhondje with red leash walking on the beach.

Kooikerhondjes’ diet should depend on how much exercise they get on a daily basis.

Kooikerhondjes like to eat, which means they can pack on extra pounds fast if their activity levels aren’t high enough to burn off the calories they take in. Their dietary intake really should depend upon the amount of exercise they get. If you regularly play frisbee and flyball with your pet, he will need more food than if you merely take him for a few daily walks around the block. To stave off the many health problems that can be a concern with this breed, talk to the vet about any ingredients to look for or avoid when picking out the perfect food. Many dogs thrive eating the more complete nutrition that accompanies less processed raw and freeze-dried dog food.

A-Z Animals, we weighed this before deciding the best dog food for Kooikerhonjes is Stella & Chewy’s Wild Red Raw Coated Kibble Dry Dog Food.

This food excludes many of the common dog food ingredients like legumes that can be detrimental to dogs’ health, like by-product meals, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. They skip all the junk in favor of whole-prey animal protein sources, including muscle meat, organs, and cartilage that offers vital omega-3 fatty acids and natural glucosamine for Kooikerhonjes’ joints.

If you think your dog will feel happy and healthy eating Stella and Chewy’s Wild Red Raw Coated Kibble, check it out on Chewy or Amazon.

Stella & Chewy's Wild Red Raw Coated Ocean Recipe Dry Dog Food
  • Freeze-dried raw-coated ocean recipe dry dog food
  • Contains trout, salmon, cod, mackerel, white fish, herring, and salmon oil
  • Grain and legume free
  • Promotes healthy stomach, weight, teeth, coat, and skin
Check Chewy Check Amazon

One cup of high-quality kibble once a day is a good baseline for an adult Kooikerhondje, but consult with your vet if your Kooikerhondje is getting a lot of exercise. Kooikerhondje puppies from three to six months old will need to eat three times a day while puppies between the ages of six months and one year will need to eat twice a day. Once your Kooikerhondje celebrates her first birthday, you’ll only have to feed her once a day.

Maintenance And Grooming

Stunning nice fluffy sable white Nederlandse Kooikerhondje, on a sunny day.

Fluffy sable white Nederlandse Kooikerhondje will need their coats brushed several times per week.

You’ll need to brush your Dutch Spaniel’s medium-length orange and white coat several times a week in order to keep it from becoming matted and tangled. Brushing regularly will also help minimize the amount of orange and white dog hair that collects on your furniture and carpets because shedding is an issue with these dogs. Brush the coat with a pin brush and work out any particularly unruly knots with a comb. Pay particular attention to the juncture where limbs join the body because that’s where knots tend to form. Using a spray-on conditioner regularly will also help keep the coat silky and manageable, which reduces shedding.

Kooikerhondjes were bred to be water dogs, so they don’t need to be bathed very often. They like to swim, and you should make sure to give them a very thorough rinsing in freshwater any time they’ve spent an afternoon at a lake or in a pool. Brush their teeth daily, and trim their nails every three to four weeks as needed.

Training

A fluffy adorable brown Kooikerhondje dog training and running down the wooden ramp.

A Kooikerhondje dog should begin training early and consistency is important.

Kooikerhondjes are very eager to please. However, like all dogs that were bred for hunting, their prey drive and native independence can occasionally get in the way of obedience. This is why early, consistent training is very important for Kooikerhondjes. In fact, every member of the Kooikerhondje’s human family should participate as much as possible in the dog’s training so that the dog understands his or her position in the hierarchy.

Exercise

As working dogs, Kooikerhondjes have a lot of energy; however, they adapt very easily to the exercise preferences of their owners. If you’re someone who likes to be physically active, your Kooikerhondje will be delighted to keep you company. If your lifestyle is more sedate, that will work, too. At a minimum, though, your Kooikerhondje should have half an hour of vigorous outside exercise every day. Kooikerhondjes are particularly fond of seek-and-retrieve games.

Puppies

The average Kooikerhondje litter size is five to seven puppies. Puppies are expensive: In the U.S., you can expect to pay between $3,000 and $3,500 for a Kooikerhondje puppy while in Canada, where the breed is even rarer, you can expect to pay more. The reason for this is that reputable breeders will go to great lengths to ensure that the puppy they’re selling you is genetically sound. In fact, it is likely that if you buy a puppy for less than this amount, you will end up with a pet who’s prone to a hereditary disease.

Nederlandse Kooikerhondje Puppy playing in the park.
Nederlandse Kooikerhondje puppies are expensive since this breed is rare.

Kooikerhondjes And Children

These dogs do well with children so long as they’re children the animal knows. The dog is likely to be standoffish with unfamiliar children and should be kept away from toddlers who might try and pull his ears or tail as this will stress your pet out.

Dogs Similar To The Kooikerhondje

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen, Tibetan Terrier and Poodle all have things in common with these dogs.

  • Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen: The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen (PBGV for short) is about the same height as a Kooikerhondje though it weighs a little bit more. Like Kooikers, PBGVs have happy dispositions and love to play.
  • Tibetan Terriers: Tibetan terriers also stand approximately the same height as Kooikers. They are stockier, though. While not as mellow and laid back as Kooikerhondjes, they are just as quick at learning tricks, and they love to play.
  • Poodles: Like Kooikerhondjes, Poodles love to swim. In fact, they were originally bred to retrieve ducks and other waterfowl after the birds were shot. You might say the job Kooikerhondjes began, Poodles finished.

Famous Kooikerhondje

Prince William II of Orange was the leader of the Dutch revolt against the rule of the Spanish Hapsburgs in the 16th century. One night as he lay sleeping in his camp tent in France, where he was to meet the Spanish on the battlefield the following day, his Kooikerhondje, Pompey, began barking and scratching furiously to rouse his master: A Spanish assassin had crept into the tent! The assassination attempt was thwarted. Sadly, however, William II died of smallpox three years later. A statue of Pompey curled up at his feet was included in William II’s effigy.

Popular names include:

  • Diederik
  • Rutger
  • Rembrandt
  • Gerdi
  • Saska

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What's the right dog for you?

Dogs are our best friends but which breed is your perfect match?

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Small
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Large
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If you have kids or existing dogs select:

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Should they be Hypoallergenic?

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Which dog groups do you like?
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What climate?
How much seperation anxiety?
How much yappiness/barking?

How much energy should they have?

The lower energy the better.
I want a cuddle buddy!
About average energy.
I want a dog that I have to chase after constantly!
All energy levels are great -- I just love dogs!
How much should they shed?
How trainable/obedient does the dog need to be?
How intelligent does the dog need to be?
How much chewing will allow?
About the Author

Melissa Bauernfeind was born in NYC and got her degree in Journalism from Boston University. She lived in San Diego for 10 years and is now back in NYC. She loves adventure and traveling the world with her husband but always misses her favorite little man, "P", half Chihuahua/half Jack Russell, all trouble. She got dive-certified so she could dive with the Great White Sharks someday and is hoping to swim with the Orcas as well.

Kooikerhondje FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

How much do Kooikerhondjes cost to own?

Kooikerhondje puppies cost between $3,000 and $3,500 when you buy one from a reputable breeder. Because the breed is so rare in the U.S. and Canada, it’s unlikely you will find one at a rescue shelter where the cost would be considerably cheaper. If you do find a Kooikerhondje at a rescue shelter, make sure you get a thorough medical examination before you adopt because it’s possible that the dog was surrendered to the rescue for health reasons.

Other costs associated with bringing a Kooikerhondje puppy home include vaccinations, microchipping, spaying or neutering, bedding, crates, toys, food, and training. These are likely to come to between $1,000 and $1,500. Thereafter, you can expect to spend approximately $750 s year for food and medical expenses on your Kooikerhondje.

Are Kooikerhondjes good with kids?

Kooikerhondjes are very good with children they know although it’s never advisable to leave children younger than 10 years old unsupervised around dogs.

How long do Kooikerhondjes live?

A healthy Kooikerhondje typically lives between 12 and 14 years.

How much does a kooikerhondje cost?

Kooikerhondje puppies cost between $3,000 and $3,500.

How do you pronounce kooikerhondje?

The pronunciation of Kooikerhondje is “COY-ker-HUND-che.”

How many kooikerhondje are there?

There are approximately 260 living in the U.S. and far fewer than those living in Canada. The breed is more common in Europe.

How tall does a kooikerhondje get?

Kooikerhondjes grow to be between 14 and 16 inches tall. Males are slightly taller than females.

How fast are Kooikerhondjes?

Kooikerhondjes are not known for the speed at which they run.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources

  1. eMissourian / Accessed June 16, 2021
  2. American Kennel Club / Accessed June 16, 2021
  3. Dog Breeds List / Accessed June 16, 2021
  4. Vereniging Het Nederlandse Kooikerhondje / Accessed June 16, 2021
  5. Wag! / Accessed June 16, 2021
  6. Dog Zone / Accessed June 16, 2021
  7. Petolog / Accessed June 16, 2021
  8. Confident Canines Dog Training / Accessed June 16, 2021
  9. Animal Care Tips / Accessed June 16, 2021
  10. Vet Street / Accessed June 16, 2021

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