Keeshond

Personality

The Keeshond is a people dog. The AKC standard asks for a dog that is sociable with people and dogs alike, never shy and never aggressive, and the breed is lively, alert and affectionate. Nicknamed the smiling Dutchman for its cheerful expression, a Keeshond tends to follow its family from room to room.

VCA calls it a loyal and loving companion and notes that it is less independent than most spitz breeds. It is usually playful and gentle with children, and it gets along with other dogs and pets. Most are happy to join any family activity.

They also have a voice. Keeshonden are alert and tend to announce visitors, and a dog kept apart from the family may become a nuisance barker. They do not enjoy long periods alone and may chew or bark if left. A Keeshond that is included in family life, given daily activity and trained kindly is a delightfully easygoing, adaptable companion.

History

The Keeshond's roots lie in the Netherlands, where it earned the name Dutch barge dog as a watchful companion on canal and river boats. It belongs to the spitz family, which also includes the Pomeranian and the American Eskimo Dog.

In the late 1700s the breed became a symbol of the Dutch Patriot movement, and the dog's name is said to come from Cornelis (Kees) de Gyselaer, an 18th-century Patriot leader. When the Patriots lost power, the breed fell out of favor, and it became rare as larger barges replaced the small ones it had lived on.

A revival began in the 1920s, led by Baroness van Hardenbroek in the Netherlands and by breeders in England, where the Kennel Club recognized the breed under the name Keeshond in 1926. The American Kennel Club began registering Keeshonden in 1930. The Keeshond has been called the national dog of Holland. Today it is mainly a companion, though it also excels in obedience, agility and as a guide dog.

Appearance, coat & colors

A Keeshond looks like a sturdy, fox-faced spitz in a thick coat. The AKC standard calls for a well-balanced, short-coupled dog with a fox-like expression, small pointed ears and a tail curled over the back. The ideal male is 18 in (46 cm) tall and the ideal female 17 in (43 cm), with a variance of an inch either way. Most adults weigh about 35 to 45 lb (16 to 20 kg).

The double coat is the signature feature. A long, straight, harsh outer coat stands out from a soft, downy undercoat, forming a thick ruff around the neck and chest and trousers on the hindquarters. The colors are a mixture of gray, black and cream, with the outer hairs tipped in black and the undercoat very pale gray or cream.

The most distinctive marking is the pair of dark "spectacles" around the eyes, a required feature that gives the Keeshond its cheerful, intelligent look. The eyes are dark and almond-shaped, and the ears are small, dark and erect.

Training

Keeshonden are intelligent, eager to please and quick to learn, and they respond very well to positive reinforcement. VCA recommends food and games as rewards, and PetMD notes that the breed excels at obedience. They also learn unintended lessons quickly, so a bit of barking at the doorbell or begging at the table can become a habit if it ever pays off.

Start early. The Keeshond Club of America recommends puppy kindergarten classes for pups aged 9 to 12 weeks, according to PetMD. Teach basic manners, a reliable recall and a quiet cue, since these dogs can be talkative. Socialization to people, dogs, sounds and surfaces helps build a confident adult.

Keep sessions short, varied and fun. Harsh handling is unnecessary and counterproductive for a sensitive, people-oriented dog. Because Keeshonden like having jobs, they often enjoy agility, scent games and trick training. If your dog is clingy, practice short separations from puppyhood so being alone does not become stressful. Our guide to crate training a puppy can help.

Exercise

Keeshonden have moderate energy. VCA suggests a daily walk or easy jog, and most are happy to join family activities such as hikes, games of fetch or a trip to the dog park. Our guide to how much exercise a dog needs can help you build a routine.

PetMD lists agility, scent tracking and fetch as good outlets, and games and tricks provide mental exercise. A Keeshond that gets its daily outing is usually a quiet housedog.

The thick coat is a built-in winter parka, so cold weather is no problem, but heat is. VCA notes that the coat can make the breed prone to overheating. Exercise in the cool hours of the day, provide shade and water, and never leave your dog in a parked car. Shaving is not the answer: the undercoat insulates against heat as well as cold, so brush out loose fluff instead.

Supervise young puppies on stairs and slippery floors, and avoid repetitive hard jumping until they are fully grown.

Grooming

That magnificent coat needs regular brushing but is easier than it looks, because it is straight rather than curly or matted. Brush once or twice a week with a pin brush and comb, working down to the skin, and increase to daily during heavy shedding periods. PetMD describes moderate shedding all year, with a lot more during seasonal changes, when the undercoat "blows" out in clumps.

Bathe about once a month, and make sure the coat is fully dry, since the dense undercoat can hold moisture. Avoid shaving, since the coat helps insulate your dog in both heat and cold. A deshedding tool helps during the coat blow.

Pay attention to the details. Wipe the area around the eyes gently, check and clean the ears, especially after swimming, and trim nails regularly. Brush the teeth several times a week; see our guide to brushing your dog's teeth.

Feeding

Keeshonden tend to gain weight, and their thick coat can hide it. VCA suggests feeling the ribs regularly instead of relying on appearance: you should find them easily under a thin layer of fat. Measure meals carefully and count treats toward the daily total.

Most adults do well on two meals a day, morning and evening, while puppies need more frequent feeding, up to four small meals a day. PetMD suggests about 1.5 to 2.5 cups (360 to 600 ml) of food daily for an adult, divided into two meals, adjusted for life stage and activity. Our dog food calculator gives a starting estimate.

Choose a complete and balanced diet suited to your dog's life stage. If your dog starts gaining weight, cut calories gradually and ask your vet to check for medical causes. Puzzle feeders and snuffle mats slow down meals and add enrichment. Talk to your vet before using supplements for coat or joints.

Health

Keeshonden are generally healthy, but several inherited conditions occur. Hip dysplasia, in which the hip joint forms poorly, can cause pain and arthritis. Patellar luxation, where the kneecap slips out of its groove, can cause limping and raise the risk of ligament injury. Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a hereditary condition that leads to high blood calcium. Early signs include increased thirst and urination.

PHPT is usually caused by a tumor of a parathyroid gland, and treatment is surgical removal of the affected gland. PetMD notes that a genetic test is available for puppies, so ask breeders whether their dogs have been tested. Left untreated, PHPT can progress to weakness, weight loss and kidney damage, so tell your vet promptly if your dog starts drinking more.

The AKC lists patella, hip, elbow and eye evaluations as the breed club's recommended tests. Keep your dog lean, schedule yearly checkups and see your vet if you notice more drinking and urinating, weakness, limping or changes in appetite or weight.

Health conditions to know about

• Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) — A hereditary parathyroid problem causing high blood calcium, with increased thirst and urination; a DNA test exists.
• Hip dysplasia — Poorly formed hip joints that can lead to pain and arthritis; screen breeding dogs and keep weight lean.
• Patellar luxation — Kneecaps that slip out of place, causing skipping or limping; breeding dogs should have patella evaluations.
• Weight gain — Keeshonden tend to put on weight, and the thick coat can hide it; feel the ribs regularly.

Health tests to ask a breeder about

• Patella evaluation
• Hip evaluation
• Elbow evaluation
• Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist
• PHPT DNA test

Read more: diabetes.

Written from veterinary sources by the Pawsplained editorial team. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian; this is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Updated Oct 30, 2026. Editorial policy

Living with a Keeshond

Keeshonden are adaptable and can live in houses or apartments if their exercise and company needs are met. They are not content to be left alone for long. A bored, lonely Keeshond can become a barker and a digger, so this is a breed for homes where someone is around for much of the day.

VCA describes them as playful and careful with children, and they usually get along with other dogs and pets. Their alertness makes them natural watchdogs, though they are not aggressive. Expect an alarm bark whenever a stranger approaches.

Cold weather suits them. Hot, humid weather does not, because that dense coat makes overheating easy. Keep your home cool, provide shade and water, and exercise early or late in summer. Be ready for hair on furniture and clothing, especially during seasonal coat changes. A good vacuum and a regular brushing routine make life with a Keeshond much easier.

Puppies, breeders & rescue

Keeshonden are not among the most common breeds, so start with the Keeshond Club of America or a similar national club and look for breeders who health test and are open about what they find. The AKC lists patella, hip, elbow and ophthalmologist evaluations for the breed. Ask for results for both parents and about the PHPT DNA test, which is available.

A good breeder raises puppies in the home, lets you meet the mother, socializes the litter and takes dogs back at any age. Be wary of sellers who advertise "rare" solid colors, since the standard calls for a mixture of gray, black and cream, or of anyone who always has puppies available.

Prices vary widely. Keeshond rescue groups sometimes have adults needing homes. Before bringing a puppy home, plan for company during the day, puppy classes and a brush that will get plenty of use.