Keeshonds Facts
Everything you always wanted or need to know about Keeshonden!

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The Keeshond dog is:

• Size
  • Standard size is 17 to 19 inches at the shoulder, and 30 - 40 pounds. We have had many variations of size with the rescued Keeshonden over the years. The largest Keeshonden to date is 24 inches to his shoulder at 70 pounds, and the smallest is 12 inches to her shoulder at 22 pounds.
• Color
  • Black, Silver & Cream; otherwise known as "Wolf Sable."Many variations of the three colors, and all three colors are present in purebred Keeshond dogs.
• Coat
  • Double coated northern breed, meaning they came from Northern Europe and that their coat has two different layers. The top layer, otherwise known as guard hairs is rarely if ever shed. The layer under the topcoat, otherwise known as the under coat or insulation layer is mainly shed twice per year in the spring & again in the fall. Keeshonden require weekly brushing to keep their coat in proper condition.
• Life Span
  • 12 to 14 years on the average.
• Alert
  • They are great alert watchdogs, they are not guard dogs. Intelligent - They are willing to please and easy to train when food is used and positive reinforcement. If you don't use food &/or using negative or corrective type training, the Keeshond can be nearly impossible!
• Stubborn
  • They do like to have their way, and they usually will use positive methods of their own. Training will help, and it should always be very positive with lots of food rewards.
• Loving
  • When a Keeshond of any age decides they love you they are a constant companion. They will help you with whatever you are doing, their first priority in life is to be with people! We refer to them as "unbreakable umbilical cord dogs."
• Barking
  • They can be "chatty" and some do have many vocalizations. There are a few that are down right barkers, though most bark for a reason.
• Digging
  • Some love to dig little pits in the ground to lay in, exposing cooler or warmer ground depending on the season. Some younger dogs just like to dig!
• Chewing
  • Younger Keeshond dogs, like all breeds of dogs when they are young love to chew.
• Kids
  • Keeshond dogs usually love children and people of all ages and types. Our rescued Keeshonden are tested to insure that they can be placed in a household with children.
    Other animals - Keeshond dogs are an extremely social breed, and love to be around other dogs or animals. We have successfully placed Keeshond Rescue dogs in homes with other Keeshonden, dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, etc. Our rescued Keeshonden are tested with other animals to insure that they can be placed in a household with them or not.
• Training
  • Usually easy to train when the training is positive and food is used as a reward. Keeshonden will do almost anything for food!

Keeshond dogs will not be happy kept outside, they are meant to live in their family's house. Keeshond dogs will not be happy kept in a limited space in the house, especially if they are kept where their family is not. An unhappy dog almost always means it has an unhappy owner. Keeshond dogs can function quite well in the home when the family is away at school or work. When you are home, they need to be with you!

Keeshond dogs usually love to travel, whether on foot, in a car or other vehicle. Keeshonden were bred to be companion animals, not for a sport or for any work. The standard misconception is that they were working barge dogs. In fact the dogs that the English observed on the barges were usually the captain's or first mate's personal dog. Since it was possible to bring their dog's to work, they did and the dogs were happier for it! The Keeshond dog has received top winning honors in the show ring for conformation (the typical show dog), obedience and agility.

Keeshonden across the country are doing therapy work in hospitals, nursing homes, etc. The bottom line is that Keeshonden will do anything for the love of their owners, and for food!!