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The Keeshond is a medium sized
member of the spitz family of dogs, possessing many attributes, which
make it ideally suitable as a family pet, particularly for those who seek
an indoor companion.
The striking appearance and bold disposition of a well-groomed Kees are
guaranteed to turn many heads and a proud owner could not dally for long
without some passer-by stopping to ask about the spectacular breed.
However, while hard-earned success during more than forty years of
development in this country has gained the Keeshond a respected
reputation in the show ring, most members of the general public do not
know of the breed, most often confusing it with the Samoyed or even the
Chow Chow.
Since most people are familiar with the "white snow dog" it is
easy to explain to the uninitiated that the Keeshond is similar in looks
to a Samoyed except smaller and silver-grey in colour. Like the Samoyed,
the Keeshond has a double coated comprised of a thick soft undercoat and
harsh outer guard hairs, which is non-greasy, dirt and water resistant,
and resists matting.
The Keeshond seldom needs bathing if kept clean and well presented with a
weekly half-hour grooming session. The healthy Kees has no doggy odour
and kept clean and dry is acceptable as an indoor house pet even for the
house-proud owner. The coat provides insulation against excessive heat
and cold and when caught in the rain a Kees coat will "seal",
preventing water penetration so that all that is required is a brisk
towel down to make your Keeshond presentable for your home or car or just
for a cuddle!
Almost all dogs shed hair and one look at a Keeshond will tell you that
hair shedding is going to be a major problem, right? WRONG! A
short-haired dog leaves hairs deeply embedded in carpets and upholstery, which
are just about impossible to remove while greasy residue leaves brown
stains and strong odour. The long, dry coat of the Keeshond is easily
picked up by a vacuum cleaner and leaves no grease marks. In the car a
velour clothes brush works like magic. The Keeshond has a coat, which is
not only practical to itself in all climates but also to the owner who is
concerned about east of maintenance and moulting.
The Kees will lose a small amount of hair at all times but will also
"moult" at regular intervals. Bitches usually blow significant
amounts of coat with each six-monthly season, every second season usually
heralds heavy coat loss. Generally speaking males will lose their coats
at much greater intervals, typically eighteen months or more.
The moult continues over a few weeks and whether showing or just for
convenience it is best to remove loose hair as soon as possible by gentle
stripping and brushing. The process can be accelerated by a warm bath
followed by blow drying (cool or low heat) while you brush.
While the comparison with the Samoyed is useful for the first encounter
it is a little simplistic for the breed fancier. Beneath superficial
similarities the two breeds are vastly different, structure reflecting
purpose. The Samoyed was utilised in hunting, herding and hauling tasks,
which were never required of the Keeshond.
The Keeshond's purpose in life was that of companion and watchdog. He was
a particular favourite of the Dutch bargees where, it can be presumed,
the short, cobby dog with square, sure-footed stance and alert nature was
well-suited. The limited confines of these vessels demanded a relatively
small, agile breed.
Today yet not prone to incessant or senseless barking and not aggressive
to other breeds, a loyal family member who loves human company, tolerant
and trustworthy with children and although not an attacking breed the
Keeshond is substantive enough in size and capable of looking formidable
enough to provide security simply by his presence. In addition the
Keeshond is particularly intelligent - obedience enthusiasts can attest
to their prowess in training and trailing - and, being gifted with the
most adorable and expressive face has no trouble conveying his moods and
intentions.
A friend, a companion, a true working dog for the modern household.
It has been proposed that the classical spitz breeds are not far removed
from the original wild dogs and that therefore they enjoy the health and
well-being that natural selection bequeathed them. This may explain why
the Keeshond is characteristically a healthy, problem-free breed. For
most Keeshond owners the only visit to the veterinarian is for annual
inoculations.
The typical Keeshond is a happy, health and not prone to injury or
disease. However, as with all domesticated pure-bred dogs, man totally
controls the breeding of Keeshonds and it is therefore essential that
prospective new puppy owners seek out responsible, dedicated breeders.
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