| Keeshonds: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Keeshond personality and behavior. |
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My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Keeshond, including these excerpts:
"Compared to other breeds in the "spitz" family, the Keeshond is quieter, more sensible, and less dominant.
Bright, cheerful, and lively, the Keeshond needs moderate exercise, but more importantly, he needs companionship. He is very people-oriented, craves attention and petting, and needs to be fully involved in the family.
Attitude toward strangers varies from friendly to polite. There is timidity in some lines, so early socialization is important to build an outgoing, confident temperament.
With his acute hearing and emotional sensitivity, Keeshonds are more reactive to loud noises than some other breeds and don't do well in an environment with tension or shouting.
This is not a guard dog. Keeshonds will bark, but it's usually welcoming rather than protective. Most are peaceful with other pets.
The Keeshond has an independent streak and can be mischievous and "clever" (using his intelligence to get his own way). Focus on gentle, positive guidance and praise/food rewards.
The Kees is known as the "Smiling Dutchman" because of his tendency to curl his lip and bare his teeth in a hideous grimace. It's not a snarl, but only a happy and submissive grin."
History
In Holland he began as a riverboat watchdog. When the country divided into two political parties, the leader of the Patriots, Kees de Gyselaar, had a hond (dog) who became the mascot of the Patriots. Though they lost the party battle, Kees' hond was designated the national dog of Holland.
Size
16-19 inches and 35-45 lbs |
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Keeshonds
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- Is a medium-sized "spitz" (a dog with a wolf-like face, prick ears, curled tail, and thick coat)
- Is easier to live with (less dominant, less mischievous) than most other spitzes
- Needs only moderate exercise
- Is polite with strangers
- Is peaceful with other pets
A Keeshond may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- "Separation anxiety" (destructiveness and barking) when left alone too much
- Suspiciousness or fearfulness when not socialized enough
- Stubbornness (mind of his own)
- Barking
- Lots of brushing and combing
- Heavy shedding
A Keeshond may not be right for you.
| If I were considering a Keeshond... |
My major concerns would be:
- Separation anxiety. More than most other breeds, Keeshonds need a great deal of companionship and do not like being left alone for more than a few hours. They tend to express their unhappiness through destructive chewing and barking. If you work all day, this is not the breed for you.
- Providing enough socialization. Keeshonds need extensive exposure to people and to unusual sights and sounds. Otherwise their natural caution can become shyness or suspiciousness, which are difficult to live with and could even lead to defensive biting.
- Mind of their own. Keeshonds are not Golden Retrievers. They are more willing to work with you than some other spitzes, but they do have an independent mind of their own and can be stubborn and manipulative. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.
| To teach your Keeshond to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. My Keeshond Training Page discusses the program you need. |
- Barking. Keeshonds are often too quick to sound the alarm at every new sight and sound. You have to be equally quick to stop them. Keeshonds should NEVER be left outside in your yard, unsupervised. To make matters worse, some Keeshonds have high-pitched barks that can set your teeth on edge.
- Grooming. Without frequent brushing and combing, Keeshonds become a matted mess.
- Heavy shedding. Keeshonds shed a LOT. You'll find hair and fur all over your clothing, upholstery, carpeting, under your furniture, on your countertops -- even in your food. Frequent vacuuming will become a way of life. Make sure you're REALLY up for this.
| Not all Keeshonds are alike! |
- There are energetic Keeshonds, and placid Keeshonds.
- Hard-headed Keeshonds, and sweet-natured Keeshonds.
- Serious Keeshonds, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted Keeshonds, and Keeshonds who love everyone.
| If you acquire a Keeshond puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
| If you're considering an adult Keeshond... |
There are plenty of adult Keeshonds who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
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Copyright © 2000-2008 by Michele Welton. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without the permission of the author. |
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