Information on AKC Keeshond Puppies
AKC MEET THE BREEDS®: Keeshond
A medium-sized, sturdy dog, the Keeshond possesses the characteristics of other Northern breeds – a fox-like expression, stand-off coat and richly plumed tail carried over the back. His coloring is a mixture of gray, black and cream, with variations from light to dark and distinctive "spectacles" – markings and shadings in the eye area, including a delicate, dark line slanting from eye to ear and expressive eyebrows.
A Look Back
Basically unchanged over the past two centuries, the Keeshond descended from the same arctic strains as the Samoyed, Chow Chow, Norwegian Elkhound, Finnish Spitz and Pomeranian. The Kees was originally served as a watchdog on riverboats, barges and farms. Especially popular in Holland in the late 1700s, the breed also became a symbol of the Dutch Patriot political party and its leader Kees de Gyselaer, who owned a dog named Kees and gave the breed its name. When the Patriots were defeated, the Keeshond became rare in Holland until it was revived a century later, when it also began appearing in England and America.
Right Breed for You?
An affectionate, good-natured companion, the Keeshond is outgoing and friendly with people and dogs, following the lead of their owners when welcoming strangers. The breed learns quickly and is energetic, requiring daily exercise. Twice-weekly brushing is sufficient.
If you are considering purchasing a Keeshond puppy, learn more here.
- Non-Sporting Group; AKC recognized in 1930.
- Ideal size: 17 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder.
- Barge dog; companion.
© The American Kennel Club, Inc.
Keeshond Breed Standard
General Appearance
The Keeshond (pronounced kayz-hawnd) is a natural, handsome dog of well-balanced,
short-coupled body, attracting attention not only by his coloration, alert carriage,
and intelligent expression, but also by his stand-off coat, his richly plumed
tail well curled over his back, his foxlike expression, and his small pointed
ears. His coat is very thick around the neck, fore part of the shoulders and chest,
forming a lion-like ruff-more profuse in the male. His rump and hind legs, down
to the hocks, are also thickly coated, forming the characteristic "trousers."
His head, ears, and lower legs are covered with thick, short hair.
Size, Proportion, Substance
The Keeshond is a medium-sized, square-appearing, sturdy dog, neither coarse nor
lightly made. The ideal height of fully matured dogs when measured from top of
withers to the ground is 18 inches for males and 17 inches for bitches-a one inch
variance either way is acceptable. While correct size is very important, it should
not outweigh that of type.
Head
Expression-Expression is largely dependent on the distinctive
characteristic called "spectacles"–a combination of markings and
shadings in the orbital area which must include a delicate, dark line slanting
from the outer corner of each eye toward the lower corner of each ear coupled
with expressive eyebrows. Markings (or shadings) on face and head must present
a pleasing appearance, imparting to the dog an alert and intelligent expression.
Very Serious Fault: Absence of dark lines which form the
"spectacles."
Eyes – Eyes should be dark brown in color, of medium size, almond
shaped, set obliquely and neither too wide apart nor too close together.
Eye rims are black. Faults: Round and/or protruding eyes
or eyes light of color.
Ears – Ears should be small, triangular in shape, mounted
high on head and carried erect. Size should be proportionate to the head-length
approximating the distance from the outer corner of the eye to the nearest
edge of the ear. Fault: Ears not carried erect when at attention.
Skull – The head should be well-proportioned to the body and wedge-shaped
when viewed from above-not only the muzzle, but the whole head should give
this impression when the ears are drawn back by covering the nape of the
neck and the ears with one hand. Head in profile should exhibit a definite
stop. Faults: Apple head or absence of stop.
Muzzle – Of medium length, neither coarse nor snipey, and well
proportioned to the skull.
Mouth – The mouth should be neither overshot nor undershot.
Lips should be black and closely meeting-not thick, coarse or sagging, and
with no wrinkle at the corner of the mouth. Faults: Overshot,
undershot or wry mouth.
Teeth – The teeth should be white, sound and strong meeting
in a scissors bite. Fault: Misaligned teeth.
Neck, Topline, Body
The neck should be moderately long, well-shaped and well set
on shoulders. The body should be compact with a short, straight back sloping
slightly downward toward the hindquarters: well ribbed, barrel well rounded,
short in loin, belly moderately tucked up, deep and strong of chest.
Tail – The tail should be moderately long and well feathered, set
on high and tightly curled over the back. It should lie flat and close to the
body. The tail must form a part of the "silhouette" of the dog’s body,
rather than give the appearance of an appendage. Fault: Tail not lying close to the back.
Forequarters – Forelegs should be straight seen from any angle.
Pasterns are strong with a slight slope. Legs must be of good bone in proportion
to the overall dog. Shoulder to upper arm angulation is between slight to
moderate.
Hindquarters – Angulation in rear should be between slight
to moderate to complement the forequarters, creating balance and typical
gait. Hindquarters are well muscled with hocks perpendicular to the ground.
Feet – The feet should be compact, well rounded, cat-like. Toes
are nicely arched, with black nails.
Coat
The body should be abundantly covered with long, straight, harsh hair standing
well out from a thick, downy undercoat. Head, including muzzle, skull and
ears, should be covered with smooth, soft, short hair--velvety in texture
on the ears. The neck is covered with a mane--more profuse in the male--sweeping
from under the jaw and covering the whole of the front part of the shoulders
and chest, as well as the top part of the shoulders. The hair on the legs
should be smooth and short, except for feathering on the front legs and
"trousers" on the hind legs. Hind legs should be profusely feathered
down to the hocks-not below. The hair on the tail should form a rich plume.
Coat must not part down the back. The Keeshond is to be shown in a natural
state with trimming permissible only on feet, pasterns, hocks and--if desired--whiskers.
TRIMMING OTHER THAN AS DESCRIBED TO BE SEVERELY PENALIZED. Faults:
Silky, wavy, or curly coats. Part in coat down the back.
Color and Markings
A dramatically marked dog, the Keeshond is a mixture of gray, black and
cream. This coloration may vary from light to dark. The hair of the outer
coat is black tipped, the length of the black tips producing the characteristic
shading of color. Puppies are often less intensely marked. The undercoat
is very pale gray or cream, never tawny.
Head – The muzzle should be dark in color. "Spectacles"
and shadings, as previously described, are characteristic of the breed and
must be present to some degree. Ears should be very dark-almost black.
Ruff, Shoulders and "Trousers" – The color of the
ruff and "trousers" is lighter than that of the body. The shoulder
line markings of light gray must be well defined.
Tail – The plume of the tail is very light in color when curled
on the back, and the tip of the tail should be black.
Legs and Feet – Legs and feet are cream.
Faults: Pronounced white markings. Black markings more than
halfway down the foreleg, penciling excepted. White foot or feet.
Very Serious Faults – Entirely black or white or any solid
color; any pronounced deviation from the color as described.
Gait
The distinctive gait of the Keeshond is unique to the breed. Dogs should move
boldly and keep tails curled over the back. They should move cleanly and briskly;
the movement should be straight and sharp with reach and drive between slight
to moderate.
Temperament
Temperament is of primary importance. The Keeshond is neither timid nor aggressive
but, instead, is outgoing and friendly with both people and other dogs. The Keeshond
is a lively, intelligent, alert and affectionate companion.
Approved November 14, 1989
Effective January 1, 1990
