Keeshond Did You Know?

• The plural of Keeshond is Keeshonden.
• The Keeshond originated in Holland.
• It took a national political turnover in Holland to bring the Keeshond to wide attention in the latter part of the 18th century. Holland was split between the partisans of the Prince of Orange and the Patriots, and the Patriots (principally the bourgeoisie) were led by Kees de Gyselaer, who owned a dog named Kees. Kees gave the Keeshond breed its name and became the symbol of the Patriots.
• The Keeshond, due to its political affiliations, was featured in countless pictures and cartoons that were attached to Dutch political strife.
• Before its political ties, the Keeshond was mainly a barge dog, serving on numerous vessels on the Rhine.
• The origin of the Keeshond is Arctic or possibly sub-Arctic.