Introduction
The Keeshond Dog Breed are purebred, although it’s unclear where they came from. Keeshonds Dogs are said to have sprung from prehistoric canines that also gave rise to other Spitz breeds, such as Pomeranians.
The Keeshond Dog Breed may be traced to Holland in the 17th century when artwork and textual records attest to its existence.
As the Lupine in Italy, the Chief Loup in France, and the Wolfspitz in Germany. Many years passed before they started to be referred to as the Keeshond breed globally.
If you want to add a Keeshond dog to your house, then in this article, we have included all the relevant information about the Keeshond dog.
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Table of content
- History of the Keeshond
- Keeshond Appearance
- Keeshond Temperament and Personality
- Keeshond Health and Care
- Keeshond Grooming
- Keeshond Food and Diet
- Keeshond Feeding
- Keeshond Training
- Keeshond Exercise
- Keeshond Facts
- Conclusion
History of the Keeshond
The 18th-century Dutch Patriot Cornelius (Keeps) de Gisele (spelled “Gijzelaar” in Modern Dutch), who led the uprising against the House of Orange, inspired the name of the Keeshond.
The dog was adopted as the rebels’ emblem, and when the House of Orange regained control, this breed nearly vanished.
The term “keeshond” is a composite word made up of the nickname “Keeps” for Cornelius (de Gisele) and the word hand,” meaning “dog” in Dutch.
The word “keeshond” is used in the Netherlands to refer to all varieties of German Spritzes. from the toy or dwarf (Pomeranian) to the Wolfspitz.
The German Spritzes only differ in terms of color and size specifications.
Many English publications suggest that the Keeshond as we know it originated in the Netherlands; however, there are disagreements over the breed’s ancestry.
The FCI, conversely, claims that the breed belongs to the family of German Spitz. which also includes the Pomeranian (toy or dwarf German Spitz) and American (Small or regular German Spitz) Eskimo dog.
“Wolfspitz” standard was displayed at the Berlin Dog Show in 1880. In 1899, the Club for German Spritzes was established.
The modern-day distinguishing color of “silver grey tipped with black” was included in the 1901 revision of the German standard.
A white German Spitz, most likely a Standard German Spitz, known as the “Overweight Pomeranian,” was displayed at the British Kennel Club in the late 19th century.
The British Kennel Club stopped recognizing the “Overweight Pomeranian” in 1915. The breed was revived in the 1920s thanks to Baroness van Hardenbroeck, who became interested in it.
In 1924, the Nederland’s Keeshond Club was established.
Keeshond Appearance
Dogs are medium-sized dogs with a woolly undercoat and a lengthier topcoat. They are cream-colored, black, grey, or silver.
The manes of male Keeshonden are rich and thick, whereas those of females are a little less luxuriant.
Their pointed ears, spectacle-rimmed eyes, and plumed tails curl up and over their backs, giving them a fox-like appearance.
Ears:
Dogs have tiny, pointed, upright ears positioned high on their heads.
Eyes:
The dog has dark, almond-shaped eyes with a black rim.
Nose:
Keeshonden have a wedge-shaped snout and a nose that is entirely black.
Height:
Male: 18 inches; Female: 17 inches
Coat Length:
Keeshonden have huge manes, long, rich coats, and pants on their hindquarters.
Coat Color:
The colors of the Keeshonden coat include cream, black, grey, and silver.
Tail:
The fluffy, plume-like tail of a Keeshond is raised high and bends over the back.
Weight:
Male: 36 to 40 lbs.
Women: 36 to 40 pounds
Keeshond Temperament and Personality
Personality
The Keeshond is renowned for its wonderful nature in addition to its attractive appearance. It is vibrant and energetic, full of personality and sass, and above all, it is a kind and devoted friend.
It is a highly gregarious breed and likes to engage with friendly people and other animals.
The Dog thrives as a companion dog for a big family since it likes to give and receive love and attention.
Keeshonds get along well with kids of all ages and are excellent playmates since they can join in on their activities.
No matter how rough and loud, without worrying about things getting out of hand.
When reared alongside the kids since they were puppies. They like cuddling and unwinding with them on the sofa, and the kids adore the cozy blanket that their Keeshond offers!
Once properly introduced, Keeshonds will happily embrace strangers as pals, perhaps too enthusiastically.
Despite their small stature, they are courageous and make great watchdogs that will protect their family regardless of their safety.
When someone enters the house, they bark, but unless they sense their family is in danger, they will likely welcome them, lick them, and ask for food.
This brings us to their second hobby, eating, which they enjoy, just like any gourmet!
They tend to beg and keep eating until you have to stop them, which is a drawback. Additionally, they have a tendency to bark, which is a nuisance.
Temperament
Keeshonds are endearing in their sense of humor and joie de vivre.
As they require regular contact with their owners and enough activity to keep them happy, they are naturally joyful dogs that will grin if you merely spend time with them.
As a result, they are not a good option for people who want a dog who lives contentedly by himself in a kennel or backyard.
Keeshonds, however, can adapt to a wide range of habitats. In the past, they have resided in various dwellings. including farms with plenty of room for movement and boats with little space.
Due to their great intellect, Keeshonds frequently create issues by engaging in harmful behaviors like gnawing and digging.
They respond best to a friendly, kind owner who shows them constancy, patience, and kindness. While most dogs require a controlled environment, a Keeshond, in particular, needs one.
Although Keeshonds are rapid learners driven to please their trainers, they can quickly get tired with repetitious training. despite their excellent intelligence, adaptability, and trainability.
The most effective training sessions are those when the dog receives palatable incentives and the trainer’s affection and care.
Keeshonds get along well with kids of all ages and are excellent playmates since they can join in on their activities.
No matter how rough and loud, without worrying about things getting out of hand. Without instruction, he will pick up a lot of knowledge—maybe not what you intended!
Keeshond Health and Care
The Keeshond is an amiable dog that likes to live indoors with its human family, even though it can thrive outside in chilly or moderate temperatures.
Being a cheerful breed, it just needs modest activity, such as a quick stroll on a leash or an intense gaming session.
On the other hand, the dog’s double coat needs weekly brushing, often more frequently during the shedding seasons.
Health
Keeshonds are mostly healthy dogs but are prone to various health problems like all breeds. It’s vital to be aware of these diseases if you’re considering getting a Keeshond, albeit not all of them will impact the species.
Addison’s Disease:
This exceedingly dangerous disorder, hypoadrenocorticism, is brought on by inadequate adrenal hormone production. The majority of afflicted dogs are sluggish, have a low appetite, and vomit.
It is easy to misdiagnose this disease before it reaches more severe stages since these symptoms are ambiguous. can be confused with those of other illnesses.
When a dog is under stress or potassium levels, they interfere with heart function and lead to severe shock and death, and more severe symptoms appear.
Your veterinarian may do some tests to confirm the diagnosis if Addison’s is suspected.
Hip dysplasia:
This inherited condition results in a loose fit of the thighbone in the hip joint. Although not all dogs do it, dogs can display lameness and discomfort in one or both of their rear legs.
(X-ray screening is the most accurate method of issue diagnosis.) In any event, the dog may get arthritis as it ages.
Ask the breeder for proof that the parents have undergone hip dysplasia testing and are healthy if you buy a puppy. This condition should prevent breeding in dogs.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA):
This group of eye conditions causes the retina’s progressive degeneration. Infected dogs initially have night blindness; as the impediment advances, they lose their ability to see during the day.
Many afflicted dogs adjust well to their diminished or lost vision if their environment doesn’t change.
Patellar Luxation:
This issue, sometimes called sliding stifles, often affects tiny dogs. The kneecap is the patella. Bones at joints and other displaced bodily components are examples of luxated anatomy.
The knee joint, often in the back leg, shifts in and out of alignment due to the painful condition known as patellar luxation. Even though many affected dogs lead pretty normal lives, the disease can be fatal.
Diabetes Mellitus:
The inability of the body to control blood sugar levels is a symptom of this illness. The body’s cells require glucose (sugar) to burn for energy; insulin is the key that allows glucose into the cell.
The cells feel “hungry” even when a lot of glucose is circulating in the blood because, without insulin, the glucose cannot enter the cell.
A diabetic dog will try to compensate by eating extra food, but he will lose weight since the food is not being utilized properly.
Diabetes manifests as excessive thirst and urination, a heightened appetite, and weight loss. Diabetes may be managed through diet and insulin treatment.
Von Will brand’s Disease:
A blood condition, which may occur in people and canines, impacts coagulation.
Symptoms of the infection include nosebleeds, bleeding gums, prolonged bleeding following surgery, prolonged bleeding during. After heat cycles, and occasionally blood in the stool.
This condition cannot be treated and is often diagnosed between the ages of three and five. Treatment options include cauterizing or suturing wounds, giving blood transfusions before surgery, and avoiding certain medications.
Hypothyroidism:
This is a thyroid gland condition. Epilepsy, alopecia (hair loss), obesity, lethargy, hyperpigmentation, pyoderma, and other skin diseases are considered to be caused by it.
It can be treated with both diet and medication.
Cataracts:
Cataracts cause the eye’s lens to become opaque, affecting vision. The dog’s eyes will seem fuzzy. Dogs often develop as people age, and they occasionally need to be surgically removed to enhance their eyesight.
Epilepsy:
This neurological condition is commonly, but not always, inherited. It can result in moderate or severe seizures, which may manifest as irrational behavior (such as frantically fleeing as if being followed, staggering, or hiding).
Even falling down, becoming unconscious, and having stiff limbs.
Although seeing a seizure can be distressing, dogs with idiopathic epilepsy frequently have a good prognosis over the long run.
It’s essential to send your dog to the vet for a proper diagnosis and treatment because seizures can have a variety of causes.
Allergies:
Dogs frequently suffer from allergies, and the Keeshond is no exception. Treating a dog’s food allergies is possible by eliminating specific items from its diet.
Contact allergies are brought on by a reaction to a substance applied topically, such as bedding, flea powders, dog shampoos, and other chemicals.
Airborne allergens, including pollen, dust, and mildew, cause inhalant allergies.
Depending on the underlying cause, the treatment plan could include dietary adjustments, medication, and environmental changes.
If you are buying a puppy, look for a trustworthy breeder to provide you with the health certificates for both of your dog’s parents.
Health certificates prove that a dog has completed testing and been found to be free of a certain condition.
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), thrombopenia from Auburn University, and normal health certifications for von Will brand’s disease.
Hypothyroidism, elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, and thrombopenia should all be expected.
Eyes from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) in Keeshonds. To verify health certifications, go to the OFA website (offa.org).
Care
The Dog has mastered the art of being content in a very limited space since it was initially bred for life on a barge before being developed as a companion dog.
He may live contentedly in a house with a big garden, a flat, or a boat.
Keeshond’s desire to be in the home with his family is more vital than having enough room. Being a companion breed, he must be allowed to participate in as many elements of his owners’ lives as possible.
He’ll get bored and bark more if left unsupervised in the garden for hours on end with little to no contact with his family. If left alone, he could start barking inconveniently.
You might think about a new breed if you intend to spend less daily quality time with your Keeshond at home.
While exercise is beneficial for all dogs, the Keeshond doesn’t need a lot of it. For example, he is rarely regarded as the preferred breed for long-distance runners.
However, schedule at least one brisk walk every day for both your health and his.
The Dog prefers chilly weather and dislikes hot climes; he feels his happiest there. Keep him inside, near fans, or in an air-conditioned home on hot days.
Some Keeshonds also enjoy relaxing in a little wading pool of cold water.
Keeshond Grooming
Brushing:
Keeshonds shed a lot twice a year, but other than that, they do not mat easily and may require less grooming than other heavy-coated dogs to maintain their finest appearance.
Bathing:
With little planning, effort, and a positive outlook, washing your dog may become a pleasurable activity that contributes to regular grooming while protecting.
Your dog from several illnesses and infections. Dogs with thick coats should be cleaned about every three months.
They don’t often acquire an aroma because of the oily and repelling nature of their coats, but if they track muck into their skin, they can require more regular baths.
The coat must be finished with a clean scent and no shedding or loose hair.
Give the dog a thorough brushing to remove matting and dead hair first. To ensure safe footing, put a rubber mat in the tub and add three to four inches of lukewarm water.
To get the dog, use a spray hose, pitcher, or unbreakable cup, being careful not to get water in the dog’s eyes, ears, or nose.
Massage in pet shampoo, saving the head for last. To avoid soap pouring into the eyes, immediately rinse thoroughly, beginning with the head Towel dry.
Their thick coat ought to have a clean scent and no shedding or loose hair.
Hair Clipping:
The Keeshond is one of the breeds that are easy to groom at home, despite the appearance that their coat makes them a difficult breed to maintain.
Their hair does not require frequent cutting; if you intend to display your dog, you should refrain from doing so.
To avoid exposing the feet and paws to uncomfortable long hairs, gently clip the surrounding area.
Nails:
Because they worry about cutting into the quick, many dog owners are reluctant to clip their nails.
Nail trimming, however, can be a straightforward, stress-free task for you and your dog with the proper training and careful cutting.
Help your dog connect having their nails cut with a pleasurable experience, give them plenty of praise and treats. To help your dog get used to having his nails clipped, gently press on his paws as you begin to snip.
To ensure that you don’t cut into the quick, start by carefully removing a little section of the nail. After clipping one nail, give your dog a treat as a reward, and then pause to encourage him before continuing.
To help your dog become acclimated to the procedure, gradually increase the number of nails you trim in a single sitting.
Never shorten an exceptionally long nail in one session since this is a sure way to unintentionally quicken the dog’s nail. Instead, go slowly, removing little bits of your dog’s nail at a time.
Eyes / Ears:
All breeds and coat types should have frequent inspections. Cleanings in these delicate regions, even if not all require periodic trimming in and around the ears and eyes.
By doing this, you can stop infections from growing, which might harm these incredible organs.
It’s crucial to regularly clean your dog’s eyes and ears and look for any signs of illness. Small dogs like Pomeranians and canines with thick coats like Newfoundland, American Eskimo Dogs.
Keeshonds need to have their ears cleaned with a cotton ball once a week and examined for infection.
Make sure to avoid the ear canal while using a cotton ball wet with mineral oil, olive oil, or witch hazel to gently clean your dog’s ears.
Never use a Q-Tip because it might harm the inner ear if your dog abruptly shakes or jerks his head. The ear’s bushy hair growth can be trimmed off with tweezers or dull scissors.
To remove extra hair from the area around the eyes, ears, and face, use a tiny trimmer.
Tear stains are more likely to appear around the eyes of little dogs, such as Pomeranians. Pekingese. as well as canines with white coats, such as American Eskimo Dogs and Samoyeds their eyes.
To prevent this, wipe the area around their eyes with a cotton ball or soft cloth, and cut any extra hair using a tiny trimmer.
Keeshond Food and Diet
Raw food is the ideal dog food for Keeshonds. A natural, whole-food diet will not only keep your dog healthy.
Content, but it will also avoid some common illnesses, including. obesity, joint, dental, and digestive problems. as well as symptoms of allergies like severe scratching and skin irritation.
The anatomy and digestive system of a dog are key factors to take into account when choosing the ideal diet for a Keeshond.
Dogs’ digestive systems are best adapted to fresh, high-protein meals primarily composed of meat, bones. offal since they have evolved little since they were undomesticated wolves.
We refer to this as “species-appropriate nutrition,” and it is what a natural, raw diet aims to imitate.
A Keeshond should have a balanced diet that is suitable for their life stage and energy requirements. This typically consists of a mixture of veggies, berries, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and high-quality protein.
Even kibble made without grains frequently includes a lot of rice, potatoes, beans, and lentils.
Giving a dog kibble creates stress on its digestive tract and strains its pancreas by spiking its levels of cortical, glucagon, and insulin throughout the day.
The denatured nutrients produced by these improper components. the high-heat processing used to make kibble are known as advanced gyration end-products.
Inflammation and stress on several essential organs brought on by AGEs can, in certain situations, result in some significant medical problems.
The canine species is unquestionably challenging. As scavengers, they will adapt and endure for a while even when their diet lacks the natural nutrients they may require, But surviving.
Thriving are pretty different things. Learn more about the advantages of feeding your dog raw food.
Keeshond feeding
Although you may make your Keeshond homemade raw food meals. dog owners who are unfamiliar with raw feeding sometimes find the process challenging.
Going it alone might seem difficult since creating meals with the correct proportions of critical ingredients is necessary to guarantee that your dog obtains the best nutrition.
The good news is that there is a far easier method. You may fill your freezer with high-quality raw food meals at the touch of a button by selecting a reliable pre-prepared natural dog food source.
You can be confident that your dog is getting nutritionally balanced meals every day by selecting FEDIAF-approved recipes. Such as Prolog’s Complete raw dog food or natural puppy food formula varieties.
The organization that establishes dietary guidelines for pet food in Europe is called FEDIAF.
Whether you prefer to make your own DIY raw food recipes at home or select Prolog Row’s hassle-free, straightforward, ready-prepared raw food for dogs.
You can be confident that switching to a natural diet will promote your dog’s well-being regardless of breed.
Even calculating how much to feed your Keeshond will be made easier by us.
Keeshond weight management:
Regardless of breed, it is crucial for your dog to maintain a healthy weight. A meal made up of physiologically suitable components will naturally aid a dog in losing extra weight or gaining a healthy weight.
For optimum health and performance, expertly balanced ratios of high-quality protein, healthy fats, ground bone, and offal. Vitamin- and mineral-rich vegetables are necessary.
However, as with any diet change, paying close attention to your dog’s weight and physical appearance as they adjust to their diet is crucial.
Your dog’s daily calorie intake relies on a number of variables, such as:
- The metabolism of your dog
- How effectively do you feed your family
- Exercise that your dog receives
- What their weight is
- Your dog’s breed and age
- If you want your dog to put on, reduce, or keep weight
When developing your raw feeding recipes, it’s crucial to ensure the proper component ratios.
You can use our raw food calculator to determine the proper feeding amounts, whether you prefer to purchase Prolog’s “Pure” 80-10-10 raw meat.
Ground bone range or our “Economy Core” lower cost range and add extra ingredients, or pick our Complete Formula meals for convenience.
In the meantime, monitoring your weight on a daily basis will help you maintain the optimal weight for your Keeshond.
Keeshond Training
To train the Keeshond, you must engage and inspire them to think that what you intended them to accomplish was their idea in the first place.
Toys and food may be used as clever positive reinforcement to achieve this goal by rewarding the animals’ desired behavior.
The Keeshond is predisposed to bark at anything unfamiliar or the least suspect; therefore, it’s crucial to socialize them carefully with humans.
Other animals, and different circumstances. Pay close attention to memory since, like the majority of Spitz kinds,
Naturally, it is more entertaining to vanish in search of something little. fluffy than to swiftly return! Use this simple, step-by-step tutorial to learn more about dog training.
Easy To Train: Dogs that are simple to train are better at swiftly connecting a cue, an action (sitting), and a reward (receiving a treat). Other dogs need more repetition, patience, and training time.
Despite their intelligence, several breeds have a “What’s in it for me? You’ll need to use rewards and games to change their “mentality and make them wish to comply with your requests.
Intelligence:
Just as dogs that were trained to run all day need to exercise their bodies, dogs that were bred for occupations that demand decision-making, and intellect. focus, like herding cattle, need to exercise their minds as well.
If they don’t receive the cerebral exercise they require, they’ll create their work—typically using activities you won’t like, like digging and chewing.
Dog sports and occupations like agility and search. Rescue are excellent methods to exercise a dog’s brain, as are obedience training and interactive dog toys.
Keeshond Exercise
Keeshonden can adapt to a variety of settings. In the past, they have lived in various places, including fields with plenty of opportunity for movement and boats with little space.
Having family time is something they enjoy, and it requires frequent exercise.
The physical and emotional benefits of a daily free run or stroll will make them happy to join you on the couch as you read or watch TV.
It is important to know that Keeps are content dogs that will grin every day if you spend time with them.
Exercise Needs:
Some breeds can do quite well with a leisurely evening stroll. Others, particularly. Those who were trained to do physically demanding professions like herding or hunting, require regular, rigorous exercise.
These breeds may gain weight if they don’t get enough exercise. May release their pent-up energy through undesirable behaviors like barking, chewing, and digging.
For folks who enjoy being outside and active or who want to teach their dog to compete in a high-intensity canine sport like agility. Breeds that require a lot of activity are a wonderful choice.
Energy Level:
Dogs with lots of energy are constantly ready for action. They were initially developed to do a specific canine activity, such as herding cattle or retrieving game for hunters, so they have the endurance to work all day.
They require a lot of physical activity and cerebral stimulation and are more inclined to bounce about, play, and explore new sounds or odors.
Dogs with low energy levels are the canine version of couch potatoes, happy to doze off all day.
Consider your own activity level and lifestyle when choosing a breed, as well as whether you’ll find a boisterous, active dog energizing or unpleasant.
Intensity:
A vigorous dog may or may not be energetic, but they do everything they do with vigor.They pull on the leash (unless you teach them not to), and attempt to push past barriers. even take huge gulps of food and liquid.
These dynamos require extensive training to develop decent manners. Therefore, they might not be the best choice for a household with small children or an elderly or fragile person.
Conversely, a dog with limited energy has a more sober attitude toward life.
Potential for Playfulness:
Some dogs never grow up and are constantly gagging for a game, while others are more sober and reserved.
Even if an active puppy sounds adorable, think about how often you want to play fetch or tag and whether you have children. other dogs that the dog can play with instead.
Keeshond Facts
The AKC claims that keeshonden are called “Smiling Dutchmen” because they tend to grimace when curled lips and exposed teeth are seen.
It’s a content and subservient grin rather than a growl.
A keeshond will create a hole in the earth where it will be warmer in the winter and colder in the summer.
According to the breed association, Keeshonden make excellent therapy dogs and nursing home visitors.
Conclusion
Many people have used the Keeshond dog breed to represent loyalty and devotion. Its desire to be devoted and watchful in every circumstance is crucial to its spiritual significance.
As a totem animal, Keeshonds may offer direction to individuals seeking courage through trying times. serve as a reminder of the value of being faithful to our loved ones.