Kooikerhondje History

The origins of the Kooikerhondje (Dutch Decoy Dog) can be found as far back as the 1500's. It is said that the decoy dog owned by William of Orange saved his life by warning him of the Spanish attack. Many of the Dutch Masters painted family portraits that depict a small decoy type dog. It is believed that this dog originated from the Spioen or spaniel.

(1626-1679) - During this time period the breed was developed to work in the duck decoys. The hunter would train his dog to lure the ducks into a "trap." While the hunter would hide behind a series of "blinds", he would signal his dog to walk along side the canal. Upon another signal from the hunter, the dog would then disappear behind the blinds, only to come out again at a different location. The quiet playful dog would "lure" the ducks deeper into the canal or "pipe" with this weaving behavior. The white bushy tail of the dog would attract the curiosity of the ducks, which would continue swimming deeper into the "pipe." Eventually the dog would lure the ducks all the way into the catching pen. The hunter would then take the captured ducks to market. By the 19th century, the duck decoy business had decreased significantly. There are still a few working decoys found in Holland today. They are mostly used for research and tagging of ducks.

By the 1930's this lovely breed was nearly extinct. Through the devotion of M.C.S. Baroness van Hardenbroek, the breed was rediscovered. She began her breeding program in 1939. The Dutch kennel Club officially recognized the Kooikerhondje in 1966.