Description

This medium-sized dog is a typically Spitz type dog. They have the classic Spitz build, with a curly tail and foxy ears. The Keeshond, also called the Wolf Spitz, has a handsome appearance. They always look alert, with a proud stance and intelligent face.

Unlike its cousin, the Pomeranian, the Keeshond does not have a rounded head. Instead, Keeshonds have more wedge-shaped heads. The Keeshond has dark brown eyes with an almond shape. The ears are small, with a triangular shape, and set high on the Keeshond’s head. The muzzle is of medium length, and the teeth should meet in an even scissor bite.

The Keeshond’s body is compact, with a straight but short back that slopes slightly downward towards the tail. The chest is nicely rounded and not too deep. The tail is fairly long, and curls up over the back. The legs should be straight, ending with round, compact feet.

Origin: Germany/Netherlands

Look

The Keeshond has a beautiful coat, with harsh guard hairs covering a layer of soft, downy fur. The fur on the head is shorter, with a texture like velvet. The fur on the body and tail is much longer. The Keeshond has a thick ruff of fur on its neck, sleek feathering on the legs, and an elegant plume on the tail. The colour is a mixture of grey, black, and cream, and varies from light to dark shades. The head is dark, with distinctive “spectacle” markings around the eyes. The long fur of the ruff, feathering, and tail is lighter, with cream-coloured legs and feet. This breed sheds prolifically, and needs a lot of grooming to avoid tangles and to remove loose hair.

Health

While the Keeshond Wolf Spitz is generally a healthy dog, they are prone to a few health conditions:

• Addison’s disease
• Diabetes
• Epilepsy
• Hip dysplasia
• Hypothroidism
• Patellar luxation
• Primary hyperparathyroidism

At Newdoggy.com we promote reputable breeders, who use genetic testing and good breeding practices to remove genetic conditions from their breeding lines. Newdoggy.com’s Health Guarantee certifies that all promoted puppies are in good health.

Learning

The Wolf Spitz is intelligent and very trainable. Many Keeshonds do very well at obedience classes, agility, and at other canine sports. They are keen to please and learn quickly. The disadvantage of this trait is that your Keeshond can easily become bored if they are under-stimulated. A bored Keeshond will find ways to entertain itself, which can lead to problematic behaviours such as chewing or digging.

The Keeshond needs an experienced trainer who will be consistent and fair, and provide a structured environment. A forceful trainer is not suitable for this breed.  Puppy classes are highly recommended for the Keeshond.

Temperament

This breed is playful and affectionate, with a bright and alert countenance. The Keeshond loves to please its humans, and is also sensitive to the mood of the latter. This characteristic makes the Keeshond an excellent therapy dog or emotional support animal. The flipside of this trait is that Keeshonds can be clingy, following their human like a little shadow.

Living with

The Keeshond’s thick coat is well suited for cold weather. Keeshonds don’t do so well in hot climates. If you live somewhere hot, either consider a different breed, or invest in air conditioning and a paddling pool for your Keeshond.

The Wolf Spitz is a bright and friendly dog that adores people. They are wonderful with children, and after a proper introduction they are fine with strangers. Keeshonds get along well with other dogs. Keeshonds also might be able to live happily with other pets such as cats, but only if introduced at a young age to the cat.

Keeshonds hate to be alone. They are quite clingy as a rule, and are better for someone who either works from home or can take their dog to work. This breed is lively and needs plenty of exercise. They should be walked at least twice a day. Your Keeshond will also enjoy playing with you and learning new tricks.  The Keeshond loves to be around people, and once they have been exercised, these dogs will happily sit by your side and relax. They adapt well to life in an apartment; be aware that Keeshonds can be vocal, and your neighbours will not appreciate the barking. Teaching your Keeshond “quiet” and “speak” will be very useful.