Nederlandse Kooikerhondje
The Nederlandse Kooikerhondje is a hunting dog breed originating in the Netherlands. They were originally bred for hunting and luring ducks into traps. The luring wasn’t always for hunting, these dogs are known to work with animal conservationists and they help scientists tag ducks. That makes it easier for scientists to track the annual duck migration.
These days the popular Kooikerhondje, as it is often called, can be mostly found in the role of a family companion that is extremely active and usually great in dog sports such as agility or flyball.
FUN FACT: It is believed that the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje is the ancestor of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and this breed was featured in works of art dating back to the 16th century
Height:
14-17 in (36-43 cm)
Weight:
20-30 lb (9-14 kg)
Origin:
Netherlands
Life Expectancy:
12-15 years
Dog Breed Characteristics
The Nederlandse Kooikerhondje is a medium to small-sized dog breed that has a very harmonious and nearly square build. That means that these dogs are tall as they are long. These dogs have a head that is well-proportioned to the rest of their body. They should have a black nose, and their eyes should be almond-shaped and dark brown. They give a friendly impression.
One of their most noticeable characteristics is their long ears that are carried on the side of their heads, close to the cheeks. They have distinct black tips on their ears which are often called earrings in the cynology world. These earrings are highly desirable in the show ring, and dogs with those features usually get better scores.
Grooming
Nederlandse Kooikerhondje has a medium-length coat that can be wavy or straight but never curly. Weekly brushing will be enough to keep this dog looking good. They will need only a few baths throughout the year. Occasional baths are only required if your dog rolls into something smelly or dirty.
Since they have droopy ears, you should regularly check them – they are prone to developing ear infections. If you notice that their ears and red or have a bad odor, that might be a sign that your dog has an ear infection.
Nederlandse Kooikerhondje coat colors:
- district patches of clear orange-red on pure white
Nederlandse Kooikerhondje temperament
The Nederlandse Kooikerhondje’s temperament is that of a good-natured and alert family companion. They are extremely energetic, so active families will get a great hiking or jogging companion. These dogs make great watchdogs, and not many people are aware of that before they get one at home.
You can be sure that the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje will notify you if anyone is approaching. That doesn’t come as much of a surprise because they are very alert and active.
These dogs have high energy levels, and some owners decide to train them in dog sports such as agility or flyball. If you are not looking for a dog with a professional sports career, you can always play different games at home, and your Kooikerhondje will gladly participate.
Training and socialization
The Nederlandse Kooikerhondje, like any other dog breed, requires early socialization, and the sooner you start that process, the better for you and your dog as well. They are naturally suspicious of strangers, and they will keep their distance.
If that behavior is left to develop, it can become problematic. Make sure you expose your Nederlandse Kooikerhondje puppy to different people and puppies as soon as possible so that they can learn that not all strangers are worth barking about.
If you want to have a well-behaved and happy dog, start the training process as soon as possible. Use positive training methods and include a lot of food, treats, and praise in your training sessions, and pretty soon, you will start to notice how your dog is progressing positively.
Health
Nederlandse Kooikerhondje is a healthy dog breed with a life expectancy of 12-15 years. To ensure you will end up with the best possible dog regarding health, always buy him from responsible and official dog breeders. Because they regularly test their breeding dogs, you can be sure their puppies won’t have any inherited diseases. Always ask to see the results of tests from the puppy’s parents.
Nederlandse Kooikerhondje breeders
When getting a dog, the most important thing is to get it from a responsible and reputable Nederlandse Kooikerhondje breeder. Responsible breeders will breed dogs that don’t only look good but have great characters as well.
You must find a good Nederlandse Kooikerhondje breeder that can help you learn about this breed and make an informed choice about getting a dog with these characteristics.
Buying a dog from a responsible breeder will cost you more money, but you can be sure that you will get a healthy puppy. If you are unable to buy a dog, we advise you to search for local animal shelters because there is a chance you can find a Nederlandse Kooikerhondje dog in it.
World Dog Finder team
Updated at31.08.2023.
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