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Keeshond
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The Keeshond (pronounced /ˈkeɪzhɒnd/ or KAYZ-hond; plural:
Keeshonden) is a medium-sized dog with a plush two-layer coat of
silver and black fur with a 'ruff' and a curled tail, originating in
Germany. Its closest relatives are the other German spitzes such
as the Pomeranian. Originally called the German Spitz, more
specifically the Wolfsspitz, the name was officially changed to
Keeshond in England, where it had been known as the Dutch
Barge Dog, in 1926.
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Description
Appearance
A member of the spitz group of dogs, the Kees in AKC standard is
17 to 18 inches (about 45 cm) tall and 19.25 (46 cm) ± 2.4 inches
(6 cm) in the FCI standard and weighs 35 to 45 pounds (about 16
to 18 kg). Sturdily built, they have a typical spitz appearance,
neither coarse nor refined. They have a wedge shaped head, a
medium-length muzzle with a definite stop, small pointed ears and
an expressive face. The tail is tightly curled and, in profile, should
be carried such that it is indistinguishable from the compact body
of the dog.
Coat
Like all spitz, the Kees have a dense double coat, with a thick ruff
around the neck. Typically, the males of this breed will have a
thicker, more pronounced ruff than the females. The tail is well
plumed, and feathering on the fore and hind legs adds to the soft
look of the breed. The coat is shown naturally, and should not be
wavy, silky, or long enough to form a natural part down the back.
Color
The Keeshond is a color-specific spitz type; many of the names of
the dog refer to the distinctive wolf color of the breed. The color is
a mix of grey, black and cream. The top coat is tipped with black,
while the undercoat is silver or cream (never tawny). The color can
range from very pale to very dark, but the Kees should neither be
black nor white, and the ruff and "trousers" of the hind legs should
be a distinctly lighter silver or cream.
The plumed tail should be of a silver or cream color with a black tip
on the very end. The tail should be tightly curled over the back.
The tail is an important part of the Keeshond's shape. The ears
and muzzle are to be black, although some Kees tend to develop
"milk mouth" or a white shading around the nose and front of the
muzzle. This increases as the dog ages. In American shows, this
white shading is acceptable, although not desired.
It is also important to note that the feet are to also be of the same
cream, or lighter grey color as the legs. Feet that are totally black
or white are not allowed. However, light pencilling is accepted.
The other important marking is the "spectacles," a delicate dark
line running from the outer corner of each eye toward the lower
corner of each ear, which, coupled with markings forming short
eyebrows, is necessary for the distinct expressive look of the
breed. All markings should be clear, not muddled or broken.
Absence of the spectacles is considered a serious fault. The eyes
should be dark brown, almond-shaped with black eye rims.
Ears should be small, triangular, and erect.
Temperament
Keeshonden tend to be very playful, with quick reflexes and strong
jumping ability. They are quick learners and eager to please.
Because Keeshonden are quick learners, they also learn the
things you didn't necessarily wish to teach them - very quickly.
However, Keeshonden make excellent agility and obedience dogs.
So amenable to proper training is this bright, sturdy dog that
Keeshonden have been successfully trained to serve as guide
dogs for the blind; only their lack of size has prevented them from
being more widely used in this role.
They love children and are excellent family dogs, preferring to be
close to their humans whenever possible. They generally get along
with other dogs as well and will enjoy a good chase around the
yard. Keeshonden are very intuitive and empathic and are often
used as comfort dogs. Most notably, at least one Keeshond, Tikva,
was at Ground Zero on 9/11 to help comfort the rescue workers.
The breed has a tendency to become especially clingy towards
their owners, even in comparison to other dogs. If their owner is
out, or in another room behind a closed door, they may sit, waiting
for their owner to reappear, even if there are other people nearby.
Many have been referred to as their "owner's shadow," or "velcro
dogs".
They are known by their loud distinctive bark. Throughout the
centuries, the Keeshond has been very popular as a watch dog on
manors in the Netherlands and middle Europe; this trait is evident
to this day, and they are alert dogs that warn their owners of any
new visitors. Despite being a loud and alert watch dog,
Keeshonden are not aggressive towards visitors. They generally
welcome visitors affectionately once their family has accepted
them. Unfortunately, barking may become a problem if not properly
handled. Keeshonden that are kept in a yard and not allowed to be
with their humans are unhappy, and often become nuisance
barkers.
Health
Keeshonden are generally a very healthy breed. Though
congenital health issues are not common, the conditions which
have been known to sometimes occur in Keeshonden are hip
dysplasia, luxating patellas (trick knee), epilepsy, Cushing's
disease, primary hyperparathyroidism, and hypothyroidism. Von
Willebrand's disease has been known in Keeshonden but is very
rare. An accurate test for the gene causing primary
hyperparathyroidism (or PHPT) has recently been developed at
Cornell University. As with any breed, it is important when buying a
puppy to make sure that the parents have been tested and
certified free from inherited problems. A healthy, well-bred
Keeshond can be expected to live between 12 and 15 years on
average.
History
The Keeshond was named after the 18th-century Dutch Patriot,
Cornelis (Kees) de Gyselaer, leader of the rebellion against the
House of Orange. The dog became the rebels' symbol, and when
the House of Orange returned to power, this breed almost
disappeared. The word 'keeshond' is a compound word: 'Kees' is a
nickname for Cornelius (de Gyselaer), and 'hond' is a Dutch word
for dog. In the Netherlands, "keeshond" is the term for German
Spitzes that encompass them all from the toy or dwarf
(Pomeranian) to the Wolfsspitz (Keeshond). The sole difference
between the German Spitzes is their coloring and size guidelines.
Although many American references point to the Keeshond as we
know it originating in the Netherlands, the breed is cited as being
part of the German Spitz family and originating in Germany along
with the Pomeranian (toy or dwarf German Spitz) and American
Eskimo dog (small or standard German Spitz) according to the FCI.
The first standard for "Wolfsspitze" was posted at the Dog Show of
1880 in Berlin. The Club for German Spitzes was founded in 1899.
The German standard was revised in 1901 to specify the
characteristic color that we know today, "silver grey tipped with
black". In the late 1800s the "Overweight Pomeranian", a white
German Spitz and most likely a Standard German Spitz, was shown
in the British Kennel Club. The "Overweight Pomeranian" was no
longer recognized by the British Kennel Club in 1915. In the 1920s,
Baroness van Hardenbroeck took an interest in the breed and
began to build it up again. The Nederlandse Keeshond Club was
formed in 1924. The Dutch Barge Dog Club of England was formed
in 1925 by Mrs. Wingfield-Digby and accepted into the British
Kennel Club in 1926, when the breed and the club were renamed
to Keeshond.
Carl Hinderer is credited with bringing his Schloss Adelsburg
Kennel, which he founded in 1922 in Germany, with him to America
in 1923. His German Champion Wolfsspitz followed him two by two
in 1926. As in England, Germany was not regarded fondly in
America at the time and the Wolfsspitz/Keeshond was not
recognized by the AKC. Despite this, Carl joined the Maryland KC
and attended local shows. Due to the lack of AKC recognition Carl
had to register each puppy with his club in Germany.
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Keeshond
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Country of origin
Netherlands/Germany
Weight
30-45 lb
Height
16-19 in
Coat
Dense double coat
Color
Mix of gray, black and cream
Life span
12-15 years
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