Referred to as the Dutch Barge Dog, the keeshond is a medium breed from the Netherlands with pointed ears, a double coat, and a tightly-curled tail. While these dogs were originally bred to watch over the barges traveling along Holland's many canals and rivers, you're more likely to find a keeshond today cuddled up on the couch. Still, there is no doubt that modern keeshonds have retained their ancestors' loud, stern barks and watchful eyes (which often have black markings that resemble spectacles).

The bark isn't the only distinguishing feature of keeshonds. This breed is well-known for its dense, long, fluffy coat that has three layers: a thick double topcoat, a wooly undercoat, and a long outer coat. Even with layers upon layers of hair, keeshonds are surprisingly low-maintenance in terms of grooming. They're also known as friendly companions despite their guarding instincts.

Learn all about the keeshond’s history, temperament, care needs, and more.

Characteristics of the Keeshond

Like other spitz breeds (e.g., Siberian husky, Icelandic sheepdog, and American Eskimo dog), keeshonds are intelligent dogs with a fluffy coat. Despite their loud barks and excellent watchdog skills, they have extremely loving, loyal personalities. They form close bonds with their people and get along with kids, other pets, and strangers alike. In fact, keeshonds present such a friendly temperament to strangers that they're not recommended as actual guard dogs—though their bark may scare away potential intruders.

Keeshonds are ideal for families that are home often. If left alone for too long, they've been known to bark incessantly or even become destructive. Keeshonds are suitable for first-time dog parents, as they're extremely intelligent and relatively easy to train. Because the keeshond was bred to live on small barges, they can thrive living in a variety of spaces, from a small apartment to a large house.

History of the Keeshond

Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, keeshonds were popular picks as companions and watchdogs for barge operators—hence, the nickname Dutch Barge Dog. Their loud, stern barks kept potential thieves away from the barges' cargo.

A close cousin to Samoyeds, chow chows, and Pomeranians, the keeshond later became somewhat of a mascot to Holland during several years of political unrest. During this time, Holland was divided into two distinct parties: followers of the Prince of Orange and patriots. The leader of the patriots kept a keeshond as his companion, and members of the patriot group eventually became known as Keezen by their political opposition. Eventually, the keeshond became the symbol of the rebel patriot party, and in turn, became popular among non-royal people living in Holland.

After the followers of the Prince of Orange overthrew the patriot party, keeshonds fell out of popularity, as many people believed they represented a lost cause. For this reason, sadly, many keeshond dogs were killed. A few remaining dogs lived on Dutch farms and continued to ride the rivers and canals with barge operators.

In 1905, the breed was rediscovered by a woman named Miss Hamilton-Fletcher. While on a trip in Holland, she convinced her parents to bring two puppies home to England. Those dogs became the foundation for the breed outside of Holland. When Hamilton-Fletcher discovered that some keeshonds were still living on Dutch farms or barges, she worked with their owners to expand the breed. After only 10 years, enough keeshonds had been bred to form the Dutch Keeshond Club.

The first American litter of keeshonds was born in 1921. Only a few years later, in 1930, the first keeshond was registered with the American Kennel Club.

In 2002, a keeshond made an appearance in the Disney movie, Snow Dogs.

Keeshond Care

The keeshond is a smart dog who thrives with basic training, moderate exercise, and plenty of time with their family. Their thick coat only requires minimal grooming to stay soft and tangle-free.

Exercise

Thanks to their history as barge dogs, keeshonds can thrive in very small spaces and don't have high exercise needs. Several walks or one longer, more vigorous walk each day should suffice to keep your keeshond healthy and happy.

These smart dogs are nicknamed the Smiling Dutchman, and are known for their happy demeanor and willingness to play. To exercise your dog's body and mind, try activities like:

• Agility sports
• Puzzles
• Indoor games 
• Walks
• Fetch
• Scent tracking

Grooming

Don't let the keeshond's dense, fluffy coat fool you—they're actually fairly low-maintenance to groom. Brush keeshonds at least two times per week to prevent matting and tangles, and bathe them about every three months. This breed has two major shedding periods every year to shed the entire undercoat at once. Each shedding period can last up to three weeks. You can also trim the fur on the hocks and feet.

This breed isn't very tolerant of heat, but you should never shave your keeshond in the summer. It may seem counterintuitive, but the thick coat actually acts as insulation against warm temperatures. Plus, shaving keeshonds can make them more susceptible to sunburns or even skin cancer.

Like all breeds, it's important to brush your dog's teeth and check their ears each week. Brushing the teeth daily is ideal to prevent dental disease, but twice per week offers suitable protection. Clean debris in the ears with a soft cotton pad (avoid cotton swabs, which can damage the delicate inner ear). If your dog's ears become red, swollen, or have an unusual smell, contact your vet to determine if it's an infection.

Training

Keeshonds are intelligent dogs that like to please their owners. This breed responds best to positive reinforcement training methods, and can begin basic obedience as early as 8 weeks of age. Puppy training classes are also a great way to socialize them to be comfortable and confident around other pets and people.  

Remember that these dogs were bred to live with barge operators, so they're meant to be alongside their humans. If your family is away from the home often, you may want to consider another breed. Keeshonds don't like to be left alone, and they're known to bark endlessly or become destructive when lonely and bored.

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Common Health Problems

Although keeshonds are generally healthy, they're susceptible to certain genetic health conditions like most purebred dogs. Some health problems commonly seen in keeshonds include:

• Hip dysplasia: Weakness, lameness, or pain in the hips are signs of this hereditary condition that is caused by a malformation in your dog's hip joints.
• Luxating patella: Common in small dogs, this condition is characterized by the knee cap moving in and out of place. It can result in severe pain, but many dogs can live long, happy lives with proper care.
• Cataracts: Like humans, many dogs develop cataracts as they age. Dogs with cataracts may have blurry or cloudy vision, but in severe cases, they can be treated with surgery.
• Primary hyperparathyroidism: Keeshonds can genetically inherit this condition, which causes an overproduction of parathyroid hormone.
• Diabetes mellitus: This condition occurs when the body doesn’t secrete or use insulin properly. Increased thirst, appetite, and urination can occur, along with weight loss. 
• Ventricular septal defect: This congenital heart defect can cause symptoms like shortness of breath, and a vet might notice a heart murmur.

Diet and Nutrition

The best diet for your dog depends largely on their age, activity level, and weight, but you can expect to feed your keeshond 1 to 2 cups of high-quality dog food divided into two meals each day.

Overfeeding can result in health conditions like canine obesity, heart disease, or diabetes. Follow your dog food's recommendations for the proper portions by weight. If you're unsure how much to feed your keeshond, your veterinarian can help you develop a healthy meal plan.

Where to Adopt or Buy a Keeshond

Keeshond puppies typically cost between $1,500 and $2,000, but prices may be higher depending on availability and pedigree.

It may be difficult to find a keeshond at your local shelter, but breed-specific rescues can help you find your next best friend. Many similar breeds in need of forever homes may be more readily available in your region, and adopting a rescue can be incredibly rewarding.

If you decide to purchase a keeshond from a breeder, it's essential to do your research and ensure the breeder is ethical, reputable, and moral. Responsible breeders should provide medical history and allow prospective adopters to meet the litter's parents (along with showing their living conditions).

These resources for the national breed club and AKC breeders can help you start your search:

• Keeshond Club of America Breeder Listings
• Keeshond Club of America Rescue Organizations
• AKC Keeshond Breeders

Keeshond Overview

Keeshonds are great dogs with an adorable, unique look and high level of intelligence. These friendly dogs can bark a lot, and can become stressed if left alone too much. They’re perfect for dog parents looking for a close companion.  

Pros of Keeshonds

• Loving and loyal to family members
• Easily trainable
• Low-maintenance and great for small spaces
  

Cons of Keeshonds

• Intense shedding twice per year
• Tendency to bark loudly and often
• Can be destructive when lonely or bored
  

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More Breeds and Further Research

If you're interested in learning about breeds similar to the keeshond, check out:

• Pomeranian
• Samoyed
• Shiba Inu

There are plenty of dog breeds out there that can join your family. With a little research, you can find the perfect match!