What Is A Keeshond?

Some Early History

When the followers of William of Orange overthrew the rebel party, the Keeshond fell into disfavor, it was no longer popular to be seen with a dog that represented a lost cause, many were destroyed. A true underdog, the breed somehow managed to survive on the Dutch farms and could be seen on Dutch barges in the canals surrounding Amsterdam. It was here in 1905, while yachting with her parents to Amsterdam, that young Miss Hamilton-Fletcher (later to become Mrs. Wingfield-Digby) spotted her first Dutch Barge Dogs. So charmed by their antics was she, that her family purchased two puppies from the locals to take home to England. Barkles and Zaandam, as the puppies were named, later became the foundation stock for the breed's introduction to the New World and resurrection as the fine Companion dog that they are. 

The Keeshond is classified as a Spitz breed exhibiting typical spitz-like physical characteristics such as a standoffish coat, consisting of a thick wooly undercoat and outer guard hairs, and a tail that curls over the back. Other members of the Spitz family include the Samoyed, Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, Chow Chow, Norwegian Elkhound, American Eskimo, German Wolfsspitz, German Klein (small), Mittel (medium) and Gross (large) Spitz, and Pomeranian to name just a few. In fact, the Keeshond was first shown in the late 1800s in England under the name "Overweight Pomeranian" and the color shown then was white. However, in 1916 the British Kennel Club chose to no longer recognize the Overweight Pomeranian and the next time the breed was introduced to the British show ring was in 1925 under the name Dutch Barge Dog and the color then was Wolf Gray or Silver and Black. At that time, Mrs. Wingfield-Digby was president of the newly-formed Dutch Barge Dog Club of England. 

Then, in 1926 the breed was officially re-named Keeshond, the Dutch Barge Dog Club of England was re-named the Keeshond Club of England and the first official breed standard was drafted. Interestingly, White, Black, Orange or any other naturally occurring color in the Keeshond is not recognized as an accepted color by the American Kennel Club (AKC) nor The Kennel Club of England. While white puppies are occasionally born in litters to Silver and Black parents, only the more commonly seen Silver and Black or Wolf Gray puppies may be registered with these clubs.

Incidentally, some less reputable breeders will sell the occasional white puppy as a "rare" color at an inflated price. Buyers should be aware that while it is true that the white is more of a rarity, it is not because it can not be easily reproduced, it is because most breeders do not want them as they can not be registered and shown. Two white Keeshonds can and will readily reproduce white puppies. If you are contemplating the purchase of a white puppy, be aware of what you are paying for. A white Keeshond is quite similar in appearance to the now recognized largest variety of the American Eskimo in the United States.  
 

What Is A Breed Standard? 

When a dog is shown at an American Kennel Club (AKC) sanctioned show, the judge is evaluating each dog against it's Official Breed Standard. The dog which comes closest, in the Judge's opinion, to representing the Breed's Standard on that day is awarded Best of Breed. This type of AKC event is referred to as Conformation showing. Having Conformation shows, an Official Breed Standard, and a Purebred Dog Registry like the American Kennel Club, is what ensures that good breeders will continue to strive for perfection and breed animals that are true to type. Similar breed standards exist for the Keeshond in Canada, Great Britain, and Australia. 

Why is this important to you? It means that when you buy a purebred puppy from a reputable breeder you have the best chance possible of obtaining a dog that will be a typical representative of its breed. This means the puppy you buy should ultimately grow up to look and act like the dog you thought you were getting when you researched the breed and decided that is exactly the kind of dog you wanted. 
 
 

 Okay, I Read The Breed Standard, But, There Must Be More... 

More?

Or perhaps you would like to tour the kennel and see some of our dogs. From our kennel map you will find many interesting links to information on the breed, pictures of our dogs, upcoming litter information, as well as articles on grooming, health, breeding, showing and training your own Keeshond. So come on in and enjoy!  
 
 

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