Keeshond

OVERVIEW OF THE KEESHOND

Keeshonds were known as ‘Dutch Barge Dogs’ due to their guarding and companion role on many boats that sailed Holland’s canals. The breed is now kept as a loving companion dog. They are highly affectionate and see themselves as much a part of your family as anyone else.

These gorgeous medium-sized dogs boast a fluffy double coat and exuberant plumed tail. Males have a more profuse coat than females. The breed coat coloring is a combination of gray, black, and cream fur with unique facial markings that form a dark line from the outer corner of the eye to the ears.

Keeshonds can adapt well to apartment living if given enough opportunity for walks and play. They do well in cold climates and can happily play in crisp temperatures but are not great long-distance running partners since they only require a medium amount of exercise daily. They do, however, love talking and can become problem barkers if left alone for long periods. These pets hate being separated from their human family and will act out if they experience separation anxiety.

If you are welcoming a Keeshond to your family, you can expect to have a loving, devoted companion who is always ready to spend time with you. Here’s what you need to know to give your gorgeous furry pet pal the best care possible.

KEESHOND FOOD AND HEALTH

Getting a puppy from a reputable breeder will eliminate the likelihood of your Keeshond developing certain genetic diseases. A responsible breeder should be able to show you clearance certificates from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals for hip and elbow dysplasia. You should also see clearances for hypothyroidism, von Willebrand’s disease, and thrombophilia.

Since they are prone to develop genetic eye conditions such as cataracts and Progressive Retinal Atrophy, it is also advised that the breeder show you a certificate from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation to certify that the pup’s eyes are normal. Health clearances can be verified on the offa.org website.

Although not all dogs will develop these conditions, it is important to be aware of the most common health conditions that may be experienced in the breed.

Patellar luxation is a common condition in dogs of all breeds. It is caused due to poorly aligned leg bones or joints and although present at birth, symptoms may only appear much later. The dog will experience lameness in the affected leg or gait imbalance causing limping or a hop-skip walk. The condition can lead to arthritis as well as bone degeneration.

Hip dysplasia is hereditary and happens when the hip joint and bone don’t fit snuggly. It can also be triggered by hard impact jumping or falling as well as rapid growth from excessive calorie consumption. Although you may not notice discomfort early on it will result in lameness in one of the rear legs and can lead to arthritis as your dog ages.

Keeshonds do well in homes with yards and apartments, but they are prone to gain weight quickly if they don’t get enough exercise and their diets are not kept in check. Depending on your dog’s activity level and age, they require anything from one to two cups of good quality dry food daily. Divide this into two meals and keep a consistent feeding schedule. Avoid giving your pet pal table scraps. This can very quickly add to their daily calorie intake and cause health problems.

High-quality food will ensure your Keeshond gets the right nutrients for a healthy coat, bones, joints, and muscles. Make sure to only feed young dogs puppy formula and never to give them adult food formulas. The packaging will indicate how much to feed your puppy for healthy development according to its weight.

Be careful to ensure any human food you give your pet is dog-safe. Onions, garlic, macadamia nuts, chocolate, xylitol, grapes, and raisins are all poisonous to dogs.

LEASHES AND COLLARS FOR YOUR KEESHOND

Keeshonds are neither hunting nor working dogs. They are foremost companion dogs and devoted friends, and they’re highly intelligent too. Keeshonds learn quickly and do well at obedience training.

Be sure to start training your Keeshond at an early age and enroll them in puppy school. Expose them to busy parks and other people to help them develop good social skills and proper canine manners. Always make training a positive experience with affirmation, encouragement, and rewards.

When going out for walks in public places, keep your pup on a leash. We highly recommend using a harness for walking as opposed to a collar. A collar can place harmful pressure on your puppy’s neck, throat and trachea when there is sudden pulling. This can cause long-term damage. A back-click, V-neck harness will allow you to guide with control without exerting pressure on your dog’s neck.

A collar is best kept for wearing an identity tag. Choose something lightweight that won’t cause their fur to matt. You should always be able to fit two of your fingers underneath the collar to ensure it is not too tight around your pet’s neck. Continue to monitor this daily as they grow and upsize or loosen the collar when necessary to avoid choking and difficulty breathing.

BEST CRATES, BEDS, AND DOG HOUSES FOR A KEESHOND

Keeshonds are not backyard dogs and want to be part of your family. That means you’ll need to house train them early and get them a comfortable bed to sleep indoors.

When choosing a crate, remember that your puppy will still grow. If you choose to get an adult-size crate to avoid having to up-size at a later stage, you can always section off the interior while they are still small.

If your Keeshond is adult size, ensure the crate is big enough by measuring its full height and length before making your purchase. Measure from the tip of their nose to the end of their tail and add four inches. Do the same for their height, measuring from their tallest point to the ground. Take into account that you will still be placing a mattress or dog bed in the crate which will also take up extra space. Once everything is inside, they need to be able to turn around comfortably and stretch out while lying down.

Your Keeshond’s crate should never be used as punishment, even though it will be used for training. Your pet pal should perceive it as their own comforting retreat.

Whether your pup sleeps in the crate or somewhere else in the house, they need a comfortable bed or mattress to get all important rest and good sleep. There is a wide range of dog beds available in various fabrics and patterns. Your pup should fit on the bed without having any limbs dangling off the edge or over bolsters. Older dogs will do well with a memory foam mattress or an orthopedic bed to provide extra support for their joints.

Getting a mattress or bed with a machine washable and removable cover is highly recommended since Keeshonds do shed.

BEST TOYS FOR A KEESHOND

Keeshonds are the happiest and most comfortable in cool climates. When it gets very hot, keep your pup inside the home in a space with fans or air-conditioning. For hot days, having a small portable kids’ pool for your pet pal to wade in can be a good idea.

If you have a yard, a water fountain mat is another great way for them to enjoy playing in the water. PVC (polyvinyl chloride) mats have a non-slip middle area with a rim that squirts out water fountains for your pet pal to run through and play in. The fountain mat connects to any regular garden hose and hardly requires any setup.

GROOMING INSIGHTS FOR KEESHOND OWNERS

Although Keeshonds have gorgeous double coats, they don’t require excessive maintenance.

Twice a year your pup will shed its undercoat for around three weeks. During this period you will need to brush them daily to prevent your pup from leaving a fluff trail everywhere they go.

Other than this, they only need to be brushed two to three times weekly to keep their coat clean and healthy and prevent hair from getting all over your furniture. The great thing is, however, that if you brush them regularly, they don’t need to be washed often.

Although it will depend on your pup’s activities, we recommend only bathing them every three months. Washing too often can cause their skin to become dry and irritated. It also strips their self-cleaning hair of its natural oils. These dogs rarely develop dog odor, unless they are very dirty. If they play in the mud or roll around in something smelly, it is of course recommended to wash them!

Although they have a thick coat of hair and are not very tolerant to heat, it is not a good idea to shave them. Their coat actually protects them from sunburn and keeps them cool. Don’t ever shave your Keeshond. Brushing and bathing are the best care you can give their coat.

Other weekly grooming includes checking their ears for redness, odor, or dirt. Clean their ears with a gentle, pH-balanced ear cleaner dotted onto a cotton ball. Brush their teeth daily if possible to avoid bad breath, tartar buildup, and gum disease.

Start getting your pet pal used to being groomed from a young age and always make it a positive experience. This will make it easier to keep them healthy and will make vet check-ups less dramatic. While doing their grooming, routinely check their paws, eyes, and skin to catch any sores or infections before they become problematic.

If their nails make a clicking sound while they are walking on floors, it’s time to trim their nails too. Their nails contain blood vessels which can make them a sensitive area to groom. You may prefer getting a professional groomer to do this for you.

BEST KEESHOND ACCESSORIES

When welcoming a Keeshond to your family, one of the first accessories you should get is a proper brush for grooming. A slicker brush or pin brush is the best option since it allows you to brush down to the bottom coat to remove dead hairs and remove matting.

Another grooming essential is a good quality dog blowdryer for after baths or playing in the water. Besides drying your pup’s hair quickly it also blows out dead or loose hairs and makes brushing easy.

To make your puppy’s crate a cozy sleeping haven, get a fabric crate cover with a flap or roll-up door. This keeps it dark at night but still allows your pup to enter and exit as needed. Fabric covers are also easy to wash.

A training pouch is another great accessory to keep waste bags, dog treats, your phone, keys, and other small items during training sessions and long walks. The pouch clips around your waist and has a D-ring, O-ring, or fabric loop to attach a leash for hands-free walking. Many pouches are waterproof with zipper pockets and adjustable.

To learn more about breeds like the Keeshond, check out our breed hub page.