Keeshond (Wolfspitz) – dog breed

The Keeshond, sometimes called the Wolfspitz, is a remarkable breed that combines good looks and a sociable nature. This dog is easy to spot with its fluffy double coat and unique facial markings. With a rich history, the Keeshond is a Dutch bargeman’s companion. It originated in the Netherlands.

These dogs are excellent family pets because of their lively and playful personalities. They take pleasure in participating in household activities and thrive on human interaction. Training is not too difficult because of their intelligence and desire to please, even though they occasionally exhibit stubbornness.

Keeshonds’ protective nature and alertness make them great watchdogs as well. They are dependable guardians as well as loving companions because they form strong bonds with their families and can be suspicious of strangers. All things considered, the Keeshond is a lovely breed that fills any home with happiness and coziness.

History of origin

The Keeshond is one of the Spitz-like dogs that have a millennium-plus history. The remains found during excavations in the present-day Swiss territory suggest that the Keeshond’s ancestors were probably ancient peat dogs and then lake dogs. Regarding the Keeshonds themselves, there is no consensus among cynologists regarding their origins, although they first appeared in the Netherlands in the sixteenth century. They most likely share ancestry with the Finnish Spitz, Samoyed, Norwegian Elkhound, and Chow Chow.

They were referred to as "Dutch barge dogs" in their historical homeland until the 18th century because boatmen and sailors frequently kept them. It’s likely that Keeshonds have developed the odd habit of hiding in a remote location (like a box) until they are called, ever since those "barge" days. They were also kept to watch over the livestock, outbuildings, and yard.

Confusion with names

It’s not entirely accurate to say that the Keeshond (Dutch Spitz) and Wolfspitz are two distinct breeds, as some sources claim. Barge dogs first arose in Holland several centuries ago. In the 18th century, they were dubbed "keeshonds," a combination of the terms "hond," which means "dog," and "kees," which is a diminutive of "Cornelius."

The Dutch Patriot Party was led by Cornelius de Gyselaar, who traveled everywhere with an active pet. This pet quickly became the party’s mascot and helped to popularize the breed across the nation. The breed was in danger of going extinct following the revolution and the overthrow of Gyselaar and his party, but it was not lost. Germany, the USA, and England kept on breeding it.

Dutch Keeshond lovers established a standard and a club in 1933, but they were never meant to be acknowledged as the official ancestors. The "German Spitz" association took the initiative in 1899 to develop standards for various sizes and colors of spitz, and as a result, the German line of Keeshonds (Dutch barge dogs) was dubbed "Wolfspitz." Germany received support from the International Federation of Kinologists; however, the breed was already known as Keeshond in many other European countries, especially England, and this name is still used today.

The breed is officially recognized and falls under the German Spitz group known as Wolfspitz/Keeshond, according to the FCI classification. Although the breed is known by different names in different countries, there are some minor differences in appearance between the German and English lines.

Appearance and standards

The square-shaped Wolfspitz dog breed has a robust, dry constitution. Sex type is articulated clearly. Males are heavier than bitches in the body and have longer, thicker decorative hair. 45 to 55 cm in height and up to 30 kg in weight at the withers. With a very thick, long, and soft undercoat, the coat is straight and long. The mane and combed hair on the paws and tail are formed by the decorative hair. Zonal gray in color.

The wedge-shaped head is in proportion to the body. It’s a moderately expressed stop. The nose tip is tapered to the thin muzzle. Black nails, lips, nose, and eyelids. The small, triangular ears are erect, placed high and close to one another, and have a slight forward tilt. robust teeth in a scissor bite, complete set. strong, medium-length neck.

Straight back. Loin with a moderate arch and width. Croup with a slight slope. Elevated tail thrown behind the head. deep in the chest. stomach turned in. straight, parallel limbs in front and rear. free, light, and slightly bouncy movements.

Education and training

Keeshonds are known for their high intelligence, eagerness to interact with people, and willingness to spoil their devoted owner in all ways, making them simple to train. Due to their excessive curiosity and activity during their puppyhood, some educational challenges may only surface. As they get older and more settled after six months, they will also become more somber. When training a wolfspitz, it is best to avoid yelling at it and, more importantly, physically punishing it. Wolfspitzes are intelligent enough to recognize threat and a shift in their owner’s voice.

Typically, training consists only of a predetermined set of commands. The dog must be trained in the proper stance, be able to display its teeth, and parade in front of an audience if it is to take part in an exhibition. This breed’s owners typically train their own dogs, but if even a small behavior modification is required, it is best to seek professional assistance right away as it will be much harder to change an adult dog’s habits.

Due to their lively and playful nature, wolfspitz require frequent walks and outdoor games to stay in shape. First and foremost, it is not advised to let these dogs run loose in cities as their excitement and fearlessness frequently lead them on questionable adventures. Engaging in agility activities can add variety to your life with a wolfspitz.

Character and psychological portrait

One breed is naturally balanced, submissive, gregarious, friendly, non-aggressive, and non-intrusive. True companions, wolfspitz are watchful, energetic, and deeply devoted to their families. They feel people’s emotions and try their best to make the owner happy.

They always bark loudly to warn others about unexpected visitors because they are wary of strangers. This breed is somewhat typified by the proverb "Barks loudly, but does not bite," with the exception that the Keeshond will bite right away if one of the family members is in danger. They’re friendly with other animals. When it comes to kids, they are incredibly loving and understanding of their antics. The Keeshond is a true family dog because of all these attributes.

This breed is kept in private homes as well as apartments. Although the breed is known for its endurance and ability to adapt to its environment, this does not mean that a dog should be left outside in the harsh winter weather or under the hot sun.

Caring for a wolfspitz is quite labor-intensive. The dog is combed at least a couple of times a week. You can bathe it once a month. After water procedures, the coat must be dried with a hairdryer, if you leave the undercoat wet there is a risk of developing a fungus on the skin. When grooming a dog, combs with different tooth lengths are used for individual areas of the body, shampoos and conditioners with an antistatic agent, as well as a special spray that prevents the hair from matting in areas behind the ears, in the groin and between the toes. As needed, the dog"s ears are cleaned using special lotions and the claws are trimmed.

The breed only needs its feathers leveled and lightly thinned to give it a neater appearance when preparing for an exhibition; a haircut is not necessary.

Diet and health

It won’t be hard for a Spitz to select the ideal diet from the wide variety of ready-made options available today, given their age and physiological condition. The pet can be fed natural food if that’s what they want. Of course, specially made for the dog, not from the owner’s table. You can get diet rations from breeders or work with a veterinarian to create them.

Volspitz are robust, resilient breeds. They essentially have no breed-specific illnesses; the only things you can identify are a slight predisposition to heart disease as they age and thyroid or adrenal gland dysfunction. Rarely are cases of epilepsy documented. Although the average lifespan is 14–15 years, some people live very long lives.

Choosing a puppy and the price of a German Spitz

Prior to anything else, you should make sure that a dog of this breed is absent from your home and choose a breeder carefully. They ought to be someone you can ask for advice from in the future. They socialize, visit exhibitions, and browse forums and websites for nurseries. After selecting a nursery, they find out about the intended litters and parents, keeping in mind that the children will resemble them in both personality and appearance.

Breeders typically place all of the puppies in the litter into classes based on prospects. Certain puppies are bred to be show dogs, while others are for people who simply want a friend. The cost is mostly determined by the class, but it’s important to realize that no breeder can 100% predict the outcome of a puppy that is two to three months old. The decision to choose a boy or a girl is entirely subjective. In any event, the puppy should have a great appetite, be playful, healthy, and not be shy. At 2.5 to 3 months, the babies are moved to a new home.

A German Spitz puppy can cost anywhere between $500 and $1,500.

With a fox-like face and fluffy coat, the Keeshond is a devoted and amiable companion. Its kind disposition and compatibility with kids and other animals make it a great family dog.

This breed is intelligent as well as gorgeous, which makes training them fairly simple. Nonetheless, they do best in busy homes due to their need for mental and social stimulation.

The Keeshond, sometimes referred to as the Wolfspitz, is a charming and perceptive canine breed distinguished by its striking appearance and amiable disposition. These dogs draw attention with their thick double coats and eye-catching facial masks, but they also make devoted friends. Keeshonds are lively, gregarious dogs that enjoy spending time with families. They make excellent playmates and watchdogs.

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