Keeshond
Group: Utility
Size: Medium
Coat length: Medium
Grooming required: Every day
Coat sheds: No
Home size: Small or Large House
Garden size: Small/Medium
Lifespan: Over 10 Years
Exercise: Up to 1 hour per day
The Keeshond is a spitz-type dog, a little like a small Samoyed with a long coat that stands out. They are larger than the similar looking Japanese Spitz and tend to come in shades of grey rather than white.
It is unknown what they were bred for in their native Holland but when they came to the USA, they were nicknamed the Dutch Barge Dog and worked as a watch dog and guard dog on river boats, barges and farms.
They are very trainable and affectionate and can be good at performing. They are good at warning of danger but need to be discouraged from barking too much. They generally get on well with people, are excellent with children and are normally fine with other animals. Although active indoors, they need a good daily walk too but their thick coat makes hot climates difficult for them.
The long coat and thick undercoat need regular brushing and they will moult heavily twice a year. They are prone to hip dysplasia, skin problems and heart disease.