Also known as the Dutch Barge Dog, the Smiling Dutchman and the Dutch Keeshond, Wolfspitz or the Chien Loup (France), this is a typical spitz dog, with pointed muzzle, pricked ears, up-curled tail, thick coat, stocky body and wolf-like coloring.  It is a medium-sized dog, a reduced version of its Arctic ancestors, but slightly smaller than the very similar German Woldspitz from which it is descended. As a barge dog, it was a jack-of-all-trades, catching and killing vermin, watching over cargo, guiding barges through the fog and acting as a guard dog. Because of his history as a barge dog, the Keeshond is prepared to accept more confined spaces than many breeds, although it does enjoy being outside.
This is a vivacious, outgoing, intelligent and ever alert who enjoys a good bark.
A full-grown Kees can handle the rough-and-tumble play of children, while a Keeshond puppy may not be a very good idea for a family with young children.
The breed has a very limited hunting or prey instinct and is an ideal candidate for a home with other pets. However, consistent training should start at a very early age as this agile and quick-thinking dog with a mind of his own will try and find his way around the house rules.
Photo courtesy of Allforus Keeshonds
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