Dutch Shepherd

Overview of the Dutch Shepherd

The Dutch Shepherd is a vigorous, agile, alert, and intelligent breed that retains its natural herding instinct. The Dutch Shepherd is known for its dedication, loyalty, and intelligence, though its independent nature makes it a little stubborn sometimes. Its physique and form reflect its ability to run all day because of the breed’s use to herd sheep to a particular spot.

The Dutch Shepherd is a naturally occurring shepherd’s dog that can be found in rural settings. It was bred to be a multipurpose dog and was originally employed as a farm guard, livestock dog, and drover. But far from being a herding dog, the Dutch Shepherd is a devoted companion and skilled working dog used for obedience, search and rescue, herding, dog sports, tracking, and a police dog.

The Dutch Shepherd’s size and weight are comparable. Female and male shepherds are typical of comparable size. At the shoulder, an adult Dutch Shepherd will measure from 21.5 to 24.5 inches. As a general rule of thumb, a healthy Dutch Shepherd can weigh anywhere from 42 to 75 pounds.

Variations of the Dutch Shepherd’s coat

The coat of the Dutch Shepherd is outstanding and offers a wide diversity of styles. The coat is traditionally brindle, but it can be any mix of silver or gold brindle. If the Dutch Shepherd’s fur contains white spots or excessive amounts of black, this is considered a defect of the breed.

There are three distinct coat varieties for the Dutch Shepherd: long-hair, short-hair, and wire-hair. Traditional uses for short-haired Dutch Shepherds include herding and police work, but wire-haired Dutch Shepherds are uncommon and difficult to locate.

Food and Health of the Dutch Shepherd

Diet is crucial to a dog’s health, affecting dental health, energy levels, skin health, and more. When selecting dog food for a Dutch Shepherd, a pet owner must be very careful. Many dogs have sensitive stomachs and require specific dog food formulations. It is recommended that the Dutch Shepherd owners assess various perspective solutions because calorie consumption and food product needs vary by special health condition, age, degree of exercise, and even geography.

Diet

You must provide your Dutch Shepherd with balanced, healthy food regularly to preserve not only their physical and mental health but also to maintain their athletic physique.

Protein

Protein is an essential item in the diet of your Dutch Shepherd. Your dog’s body is composed of amino acids, and a significant part of these must come from the food they consume regularly. Your Dutch Shepherd requires between 23% and 28% protein in its diet, ranging from 25% to 28% for puppies.

Fat

Fat provides energy to the body and preserves the skin and coat of your dog. It will keep them healthy and shiny. So, fat is necessary for your dog’s diet. Your Dutch Shepherd should receive between 5% and 8% of lipids from omega-3, fish oil, omega-6 fatty acids, and other sources.

Water

An average dog’s body contains over 70% water which is why it must always be properly hydrated — your dog’s chances of dying from dehydration increase if the water level drops. So, always ensure your dog has access to fresh, clean water right next to them.

As a pet owner, you are always caught between the confusion about how much your dog should eat. Here is what can help you when it comes to feeding your Dutch Shepherd.

Food for puppies

Since puppies are still in their early years, they require more calories than adults. Frequent meals contribute to its physical development but remember not to feed them too much too quickly. It’s because they are often voracious eaters which is why you must manage their growth. Growing too quickly can result in avoidable early bone and joint problems.

Food for adult Dutch Shepherd

Adults only need two meals daily to sustain them throughout the day but remember their meals should provide all the nutrition they need in adequate amounts.

Exercise

The Dutch Shepherd is an exceptionally active, high-energy dog that was bred to be so. This dog is accustomed to working as a farm dog, guarding his flock across vast tracts of territory. It also needs to be routinely exercised to keep it happy and you may consider long hikes, walks, or jogs. The Dutch Shepherd enjoys playing with other canines in a fenced-in area or a play yard. Ensure that your apartment-dwelling dog gets many lengthy walks per day.

The Dutch Shepherd must also be cognitively stimulated. This breed is a highly clever dog that will swiftly become bored if assigned the same daily tasks, activities, and routines. Always involve your dog by teaching them new behaviors or tricks, and provide them with puzzles to solve. The Dutch Shepherd enjoys performing service work, rehabilitation work, and dog agility contests like flyball and obedience.

Only skilled dog owners may consider adopting a Dutch Shepherd due to its high energy requirements and exceptional intelligence. This dog needs a strong owner committed to a demanding exercise regimen and intensive training regimen. The dog must constantly be considered part of family activities and won’t behave well if left alone during the day for extended periods.

Dutch Shepherd Health Concerns

Since the Dutch Shepherd is a less common breed and because of the strict breeding regulations, the Dutch Shepherd is often in good health. But dogs can get sick, and the Dutch Shepherd is no exception.

Hip dysplasia is a common health concern among coat types. Since the Dutch Shepherd falls into this category, it should be screened if a breeder is breeding the animal. If the Dutch Shepherd has long hair, it should also be tested for thyroid problems, while the types with rough hair should be tested for goniodysplasia.

While these are health concerns, a new disease has recently been found. Here are some details about it:

Inflammatory myopathy

Myositis, a previously undescribed inflammatory myopathy, was recently identified in five Dutch Shepherd dogs connected to one another. Muscle spasms, pelvic limb rigidity, increasing weakening, and significant muscle atrophy are some of the clinical signs of this condition.

The onset of symptoms occurred between the ages of three and nine months, and the suffering dogs were euthanized before the age of two owing to painful muscular deterioration.

Collars and Leashes for Your Dutch Shepherd

Given the Dutch Shepherd’s active nature, it is strongly recommended that you take your dog on regular walks. Establishing positive habits early in a dog is crucial, with the owner staying one step ahead. The right dog leash or collar is essential for developing healthy on-leash manners. Consider a chew-resistant four-to-eight-foot leash for inquisitive Dutch Shepherd dogs so you can keep control and avoid undesired interactions with other animals, humans, and vehicles. It’s vital to select the collar that will fit your Dutch Shepherd the best and you must purchase the collar with your dog’s size, weight, and corpulence in mind.

For puppy

A lanyard or long leash is useful for training your puppies. Certainly, you will need to replace the leash as the dog develops. It might be beneficial to bring light and lengthy leash. Nylon leashes are ideal for young Dutch Shepherds.

For medium-sized dog

You will need a different leash for a medium-sized Dutch Shepherd. During walks in the forest, countryside, or mountains, a long leash or lanyard will give your Dutch Shepherd more flexibility while allowing him to remain attached. A leather leash will be optimal for an adult Dutch Shepherd because it will be high quality, robust and resistant while also being easy to control. Choose leather or synthetic collar because they are functional, dry fast, and do not deform. In addition to being exceptionally long-lasting, they’re also available in a wide range of colors and sizes. Always choose a lightweight, flexible and comfy collar for your Dutch Shepherd

For powerful dog

Heavier metal leashes are preferable for powerful or huge Dutch Shepherds because they keep them tightly clutched and quite snugly.

Best Crates, Beds, and Dog Houses for Dutch Shepherd

The Dutch Shepherd is known for its big size and curly coat. When looking for a bed for your Dutch Shepherd, you should look for one that is both long-lasting and plush enough to offer the dog an adequate amount of comfort when it is dozing off.

Bagel dog bed

The bagel dog bed is the ideal pick for your Dutch Shepherd as it gives your dog the impression of protection, thanks to its plush cushioning and high sides. Your dog will be shielded not just from the hardness of the earth but also from the cold because of its cushion. Since it can be washed completely in a machine, this bed is very easy to maintain. This dog bed would provide you with pretty good value for the money if you cannot spend an excessive amount of money.

Metal crates

There is a range of crates available, each of which is designed to accommodate the physical characteristics of your Dutch Shepherd puppy or adult. Measure the distance from the top of the animal’s head to the floor to determine which option is best.

If you want your dog to be able to stand and move freely inside, you will need to measure the distance from the tip of its snout to the base of its tail. The size of the body must be four to five inches longer than this measurement.

Metal crates are more solid, robust, and practical despite their design accommodating a wide range of dog breeds and sizes.

The transport box for your Dutch Shepherd should be wedged, attached, or hung so that it does not move at all when the car is moved even slightly. This is the most important thing you can do to ensure your dog’s safety, as the transport box is most commonly placed in the trunk.

Outdoor or wooden doghouse

This is a good traditional dog house made of wood that will meet the needs of the vast majority of Dutch Shepherds. It has a sturdy, watertight roof and is constructed out of wood. In contrast, the roof can be opened up and closed when not used.

Also, the elevation of this doghouse lends it enhanced protection against the wetness of the earth. It’s available in a variety of sizes so that it can accommodate both your young puppy and your grown Dutch Shepherd.

Dutch Shepherd Toys

The Dutch Shepherd is an energetic, playful breed best suited for pet owners who lead busy lifestyles. Dutchies are fantastic with children and enjoy having a large yard and house. When given a task, these puppies are eager to please and flourish. As Dutch Shepherds are working dogs, they must always be physically and psychologically stimulated. The dog must take a daily walk or jog and engage in other ‘running’ exercises to its heart’s content.

Most Dutch Shepherd puppies start teething at about six weeks and continue shedding their baby teeth and gaining adult teeth between four and six months. Providing your puppy with suitable toys is highly recommended during this teething time to help them manage their continual chewing and build strong, healthy teeth.

Here are some toys you might want to think about for your Dutch Shepherd:

Squeaky toys

There is a rainbow of hues to choose from when purchasing one of these squeaky toys. They are designed to be chewed on and make a sound when your dog plays with them. This particular toy is ideal for young dogs in the stage of life where they desire to chew constantly.

This toy is also recommended for Dutch Shepherd puppies since they have a strong desire to chew and need to do so to comfort their gums, calm their nerves and keep themselves occupied. You can help curb your dog’s dangerous behavior and fulfill this need to chew by giving your young Dutch Shepherd this toy.

Your Dutch Shepherd will be happy and distracted due to the noises. Since noise serves as a stimulant, your Dutch Shepherd will be encouraged to play even more as a result of it.

The ball

The use of tennis balls with rough fibers is not something that’s recommended. Be aware that foam balls don’t put up much of a fight in the mouth of a Dutch Shepherd!

Frisbee

This toy offers all of the benefits that the ball does, but it has the potential to be much more efficient in encouraging your dog to run and, as a result, exercise. A traditional Frisbee will not hold up as well against the jaws of your Dutch Shepherd as this toy will. It is crafted from natural rubber of high quality.

Reflection toys

This kind of toy is ideal for the development of your Dutch Shepherd’s mental and physical skills. He never gets tired and continually demonstrates his intelligence. The toy will help your dog improve their intelligence, memory, patience, and concentration. Be careful; there can be a drawback: if the Dutch Shepherd is too impatient, the toy might get destroyed so it can get its food more quickly.

Grooming Insights for Dutch Shepherd

Whether longhaired or short-haired, Dutch Shepherds require routine grooming. You must remove the dead and stray hairs regularly using a comb and brush. Wirehaired dogs should have their coats professionally plucked twice a year. Also, the wirehaired dogs should never be brushed, although they can be combed sparingly with a coarse comb. Additionally, excessive ear hair should be eliminated. The dog’s all-weather coat should only be bathed when necessary, as excessive washing could strip the skin of its natural oils.

There are two groups of dog breeds: non-shedding and shedding. Every dog breed sheds, but several breeds have a coat style that traps shed hair before it drops to the ground, leading owners to believe that the breed doesn’t shed. Fortunately, you will never encounter this problem with the Dutch Shepherd.

Grooming and hands-on care are essential for your Dutch Shepherd’s socialization and fearless development. Even if you visit a groomer frequently, it is recommended that you use a range of grooming and hygiene products, including a set of dog clippers, a brush, puppy shampoo, dog toothpaste, and a dog toothbrush.

If you live near a body of water, you should provide your Dutch Shepherd puppy with shampoo that will help remove the odor of water without damaging it. In colder climates drying your Dutch Shepherd after a bath is essential.