Dutch Shepherd – Herder

Dutch Shepherds, sometimes called Herders, are devoted and industrious canine breeds that originated in the Netherlands. Since ancient times, people have valued these adaptable canines for their intelligence and commitment to a variety of jobs, including herding cattle and acting as police and military personnel. Dutch Shepherds are well-known around the world for their talents due to their strong work ethic and strong sense of responsibility.

In addition to their abilities, Dutch Shepherds are renowned for their loving personalities. They become very close to their families, which makes them dependable working dogs as well as wonderful companions. This breed fits in well with its surroundings, whether it’s in a modern or rural home, and it’s always willing to please and defend those it loves.

The distinctive characteristics of the Dutch Shepherd set them apart, even though they might not be as well-known as some other shepherd breeds. The Herder can be a great option for people seeking a canine companion that is devoted, active, and extremely trainable. To make sure they flourish in any setting, it is essential to comprehend their requirements and temperament.

Breed characteristics

• Pet class – 20-30 000 rubles.
• Breed class – 35-50 000 rubles.
• Show class – 55-75 000 rubles.

History of origin

The breed first emerged in the 1800s as a result of an unintentional cross between local shepherd dogs and Belgian Shepherds (Malinois). The focus was on selecting for functional traits rather than producing animals with a particular appearance. The dogs guarded the cattle from predators, assisted in driving them, and ensured that the sheep did not tramp on crops.

The dogs of that era did not share many characteristics with one another, nor did they clearly distinguish themselves from the Malinois.

The breed has been known as "Herder" since 1860; the translation for "shepherd" is "herder." The first nearly identical animals were displayed in 1874 at an exhibition in the Dutch capital under the moniker "local shepherd."

However, just four years later, following another public display, the breed’s standard and name were approved, a fan club was founded, and a stud book containing the listings of seventeen individuals was initiated. Hollandse Herdershond, which means "Dutch Shepherd" or "Dutch Shepherd Dog," was the new name.

The breed was not well-known despite having excellent working qualities and a balanced personality because. German shepherds appeared around that time, possessing the same traits as well as a stunning, distinctive look. Farmers and shepherds have never been impressed by the Herder’s exterior.

Dogs took on the role of house and property guards when sheep herds vanished, and in the 20th century they were also employed by law enforcement. In 1960, the FCI officially recognized animals of this breed. They go by the following colloquial names: Herderhunder, Dutch, Danish, and local shepherd.

In 2013, the first American-imported Herder puppies appeared in Russia. There are currently only about ten dog breeders in the nation, and there are not many dogs overall.

Distinctive features

The established FCI standards state that herderhunters need to fulfill the following criteria:

• Head slightly elongated, wedge-shaped, dry, the skull is flattened, the stop is not clearly expressed.
• Nose exclusively black.
• Lips tightly fit, slightly covering the lower jaw.
• Bite – scissors, 42 teeth included.
• Eyes almond -shaped, not very large, are located at a distance from each other. Deep brown color, with black stroke.
• Neck medium length, dry, with a smooth transition to shoulder blades.
• Ears in the shape of a triangle, long, planted high. Rounded or anticipated are considered marriage.
• Tail longer than average, straight or with a small bend.
• Torso lightweight, legged, spine and lower back even. The length is slightly larger. The sternum is narrow but deep.
• Legs muscular, light, corners are moderately expressed. The paws of the paws are dark, the nails are only black.

There are three varieties of wool:

• Long (rare variety). Approximately the same severity throughout the body (except for the muzzle, paws, ear shells, surfaces below the rocking joint on the hind limbs), rough. Tiger or pure black color (gray hair, silver tint).

• Hard. The hair is very densely packed, closed, looks disheveled, with a good undercoat. The muzzle has a distinct moustache, beard, eyebrows, and pronounced “pants” on the hind legs. Brindle, “pepper and salt”, gray-blue color.

• Short (most common). Hair is hard, with a dense undercoat, pronounced “collar”, “pants”, the tail is heavily pubescent. Brindle color.

Photo of an adult dog

Photo of puppies

Originally bred to herd livestock, the Dutch Shepherd, sometimes referred to as the Herder, is a versatile and devoted working dog. These canines are well-known for their sharp minds, dexterity, and strong work ethics. They are also very trainable and suitable for a variety of jobs, including police and security. They are wonderful companions for active families because of their devotion and friendliness, but they also need lots of exercise and mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy. The Dutch Shepherd is a great choice for anyone seeking a devoted and intelligent companion. They do best with owners who can provide for both their physical and emotional needs.

Character and behavior characteristics

Dutch Shepherds are well-balanced, energetic dogs with a strong sense of territoriality. The ability to communicate is not very developed.

Advantages

1. Unlike their German brothers, Herderhunders rarely bark, especially if there is no reason for it.
2. They are not choleric, although they are quite cheerful, active, and love to play.
3. Shepherds are balanced, calm, non-conflict.
4. They do not create fights with their fellows, do not attack without reason.
5. They are easy to control at work, they obey commands, submit to the authority of the owner. The owner is a leader for them, the Dutch are very attached to him, devoted, strive to receive praise.
6. Herders get along well with other animals. They will be especially happy with the presence of chickens, piglets, sheep, that is, animals that can be herded. They will do this with rapture all day long, feeling their importance.
7. Dogs get along with children, especially active ones, except for the smallest ones, they usually ignore them, do not show aggression.
8. Like other shepherds, Herders are good guards. They carefully monitor the situation around, read the plans of strangers, and good hearing and vision only help in this.
9. Although dogs are not inclined to attack without reason, but if necessary, they start barking, scaring off the intruder, they can attack in extreme need.

Disadvantages

A primary challenge is the lack of advanced communication abilities. The dog is cautious around anything novel. The puppy must be trusted by its owner; socialization should begin at an early age. The dog will follow instructions if the owner can make eye contact with it; if not, the dog will assume the role of leader and disregard training efforts.

• Representatives of this breed have a hard time with any changes, moving, new enclosures depress him. It is especially difficult for him to change the owner.
• The dog does not trust new people, does not seek to make contact, is distrustful. At the same time, the Herder does not tolerate loneliness, greatly misses attention.
• Animals of this breed are touchy and vulnerable, do not tolerate rude words and harsh treatment, even from the owner.
• In education, you need to be persistent, but without going overboard, otherwise the dog will build an "ice wall" around itself for a long time.

Care and maintenance

Care issues may arise due to the fur of the herder. The animals are also free from genetically derived illnesses and have no health issues.

A private home with a spacious yard is ideal for a Dutch Shepherd so they have plenty of space to go for walks.

Herder can survive in an aviary with a heated booth, but it is preferable to bring it inside during extremely cold temperatures. A dog of this breed cannot be kept inactive all the time; she does not tolerate being left alone, so his owner and his family must give him attention. Dog claws are often clipped once a month. Every week, check the eyes, ears, and teeth.

Nutrition

Because they are not prone to gastrointestinal issues, healers can eat any kind of complete food. This could be high-protein natural food or food prepared professionally.

Premium or super-premium ready-to-eat food should bear the label "for active dog breeds." The pet’s response, the state of the coat, and the dog’s activity level are taken into consideration when selecting the manufacturer.

Natural food must inevitably include:

• Meat, but only lean varieties (beef, lamb);
• Offal;
• Dairy products;
• Grain products (porridge);
• Vegetables.

Given the size of this breed, it is preferable to take vitamins that contain calcium to ensure healthy bone development.

This breed’s puppies should be fed five to six times a day; at six months, this number can be lowered to three; and at ten months and beyond, feeding should occur twice a day. Since the standard calls for a light, muscular dog, it is best to follow the feeding schedule and food dosages listed on the packaging. If the dog is consistently overfed, it will be difficult for it to meet the requirements.

Health

This breed is thought to be extremely healthy. It is immune to gastrointestinal disorders, allergies, and colds. It also has no genetic issues.

Vaccinations

Dutch Shepherd vaccinations are administered in compliance with the established protocol.

The deworming process is done seven days prior to the procedure. The health of the dog is evaluated prior to vaccination; a dog that exhibits symptoms of disease or is lethargic and indifferent cannot receive a vaccination.

Immunizations can shield your pet from contracting any of the following illnesses:

A complex medication is used to administer vaccinations. The following are the vaccination intervals:

• 7-8 weeks – vaccination with DHPPiL;
• 12 weeks – vaccination with DHPPiL + R;

Following each vaccination, puppies must spend 14 days in quarantine, during which they are not allowed outside. You should keep a close eye on the pet’s health during this time; it is best to see a veterinarian if the pet’s temperature rises or if other problems start to manifest.

A yearly vaccination is given to adult dogs; a quarantine is not necessary.

Diseases

Because they haven’t been selected for external factors and have spent centuries working under harsh conditions, the representatives of this breed have excellent health.

The only issue that may occur is elbow and hip dysplasia, which is common in many large breeds. Despite being congenital, the disease takes a long time to show symptoms.

If the owner notices the dog has stiffness of movement, refuses to climb stairs, wags the lumbar region, then you should contact the clinic. The problem can lead to complete immobilization of the animal. Veterinarians advise at 15 months. to do an X-ray of all dogs so as not to miss the presence of pathology.

Walking

Dutch Shepherds need walks that last for several hours. You will have to go on hikes, roller skate, ride bikes, throw Frisbee discs to the dog, and run with it during this time. You can also try swimming, playing tug-of-war, navigating dog obstacles, and looking for objects and people.

Coat care

The undercoat of a herderhunter is thick. It must be combed at least once a week, and longer-haired members even more frequently. It is preferable to use a furminator during molting to prevent a lot of hair from falling on clothing and furniture.

Representatives of this breed are prohibited from having their hair cut because it grows poorly. Shampoos should not be used when washing them, and only infrequently.

It is preferable to use a moist cloth to wipe the desired area in the event of contamination. Dogs with wire hair require trimming twice a year, which involves plucking any dead hair.

Mating

A dog is mated for the first time no earlier than 24 months. The male always hosts the meeting on his land. It is likely that you will need to search for a partner abroad due to the breed’s low global frequency.

The owner will have to pay for his pet’s airfare and lodging because there are Herder breeders in the USA, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

Exhibition potential and the potential to enhance the breed database are taken into consideration when selecting a pair. You must repeat the mating process two or three more times, separated by one day, following the initial meeting.

Key points in training

Even though training can be challenging at times, Dutch Shepherds are capable of learning OKD and many other commands, working on trails, performing rescue missions, and being shepherds. Dogs are not fond of harsh coercion and can be a little stubborn. The best way to train is to make it fun and rewarding when you succeed with a treat. Achieving required command execution is essential.

Success in education and training depends on the owner’s ability to establish a rapport of trust with the animal. The Herder will then gladly carry out all tasks assigned to him and eagerly absorb new information.

Characteristic	Description
Origin	The Netherlands
Size	Medium, well-muscled
Coat Type	Short, long, or rough
Color	Brindle shades of gold or silver
Temperament	Loyal, intelligent, hardworking
Exercise Needs	High, requires daily activity
Training	Highly trainable, eager to please
Lifespan	12-15 years
Good with Children	Yes, if well socialized
Common Health Issues	Generally healthy, but prone to hip dysplasia

The Herder, also known as the Dutch Shepherd, is a clever and adaptable breed valued for its devotion and diligence. The Herder’s agility, stamina, and intense desire to please make it an excellent choice for a variety of roles, including family pet, working dog, and dog sports partner.

This breed can live a healthy, active life in a home with plenty of mental and physical stimulation and appropriate training. They are great watchdogs without being unduly combative because of their protective instincts and kind nature toward loved ones.

Although owning a Dutch Shepherd is a commitment, the benefits are substantial. They stand out as one of the most dependable and adaptable dog breeds around because of their devotion, energy, and eagerness to learn.

Video on the topic

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