Medium
15 Years
11 Kg
Utility Dogs
Alert, Energetic, Intelligent, Lively, Territorial
The Kooikerhondje is a small to medium-sized spaniel-type breed that originated in Holland and was primarily used as a working dog to lure ducks in duck cages. Kooikerhondje literally means “little caging dog” in the English language. This small, ostentatious orange/white dog used to work with hunters as a decoy to lure ducks into duck cages by waving its white heavily plumed tail. The Kennel Club of UK originally classified the Kooikerhondje under the Gundog group but since the breed does not work alongside hunters with guns, it was reclassified to the Utility Group. The colour of the Kooikerhondje is predominantly orange-red particoloured and has a nearly square body being just slightly longer than tall. The coat is left untrimmed and has a characteristic plumed tail. The Kooikerhondje has deep brown, almond-shaped eyes surrounded by orange-red hair, medium-sized pendant ears that fall close to the cheeks, strong and well-muscled legs, and a flowing and springy gait. The ideal size is 37-42cm from withers for males and 35-40cm for females.
All dog breeds have different levels of intellect. Some dog breeds; working dogs in particular, are very independent thinkers and have been evolved to be very intelligent. Typically, a highly intelligent dog does well in obedience training and other activities. A highly intelligent dog can be very demanding and do require lots of physical and mental stimulation. If you’re looking for a relatively laid-back dog, that doesn’t require lots of mental and physical stimulation, then you must fully understand the level of intelligence of your dog breed of choice.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, you must fully understand their intellect levels and their specific levels of energy. To keep your dog well-balanced and happy, their needs must be met and maintained.
All dog breeds have different needs when it comes to the level of exercise they require. For the high energy dogs; which are your typical working dogs, they have a lot of energy and require lots of daily exercise along with plenty of mental stimulation. A highly energetic dog breed would suit an individual or family that is equally as active and loves the outdoors. There are also breeds that have relatively low exercise needs, such as toy dog breeds. Although they require daily exercise and mental stimulation, they’re just as happy chilling at home with their loved ones. This type of dog breed would suit an individual or family that prefers the peace and quiet and relaxation.
Before deciding on your chosen dog breed, Mypetzilla recommends that you research the exercise needs and whether you’re well equipped before committing to buying or adopting a particular dog breed.
There are several dog breeds that are known and potentially predisposed to developing health related conditions. Sensible breeding can help prevent the onset of health related conditions and this should always be taken into condition when researching your dog breed of choice. Before committing to a dog, you should speak to the breeder about any health related conditions that may affect the dog you’re looking to buy or adopt. You can also request to see any test results from genetic testing.
There are many dog breeds that tolerate children really well and are not affected by the constant noise and need for play-time. However, there are some dog breeds that don’t do very well with children and can become frustrated and snappy. That being said, all children should be shown how to handle and care for a dog in their home and should always be supervised when playing. As much as a dog can become annoyed and snappy with a younger child, the child can also become less tolerant and misbehaved towards the dog.
Mypetzilla recommends that you always supervise play-time between your children and dog. Children need to respect the boundaries and feeding time for the dog and likewise for the child. We also strongly advise that play-time doesn’t get out of control and too rough which can cause injury to both child and dog.
There are lots of dog breeds that are well suited to living in an apartment. It’s worthwhile noting that you need to check that you’re allowed dogs in your building before committing to bringing one home. If you do decide to own a dog and are living in an apartment, then you must make sure that they have plenty of room to roam around and frequent walks outside to prevent them from becoming bored and depressed.
Mypetzilla recommends that you check as to whether you’re allowed dogs in your apartment building and to fully ensure your apartment is dog proof before committing fully to bringing a dog home.
All dog breeds shed to some extent, some more than others. With this, all potential dog owners should be aware of this, as it will be a matter of putting up with some hair or lots of hair being left around the house. Depending on the dog breed, there are certain times during the year where some dog breeds shed the most and this is typically around spring and autumn. However, there are some dog breeds that shed all year round.
If you’re very house-proud, they you may want to choose a dog breed that sheds very little. Mypetzilla strongly recommends that you fully research your dog breed of choice and their shedding levels before committing.
All dog breeds require different levels of grooming. Some dog breeds are easier to maintain than others and only require a weekly brush to help keep their coat in good condition. There are some dog breeds that require regular trips to the grooming parlour and this can come at a huge cost. Either way, all dog breeds require their coat and nails to be maintained and cared for.
Mypetzilla strongly advices that potential owners research the grooming needs and associated costs with their desired dog breed before fully committing.
Barking is a necessity for your dog to communicate. However, it can also be a nuisance to yourself and fellow neighbours if it’s not kept under control. If you live in an apartment, then you’re better off choosing a dog breed that doesn’t bark as much. If you live further out and far from civilisation, then it’s worthwhile looking into a dog breed that does bark and will bark to alert you of any other company on your property.
Mypetzilla advices that you research the behaviours of your dog breed of choice and whether this would work for you and your family. It’s worth noting that dogs can be trained to bark less and this will take a lot of effort and training from the owner.
Majority dog breeds form very close relationships with their owners and as a result can become very stressed when left alone for a period of time. If a dog is suffering with separation anxiety then they’re very likely to become destructive around the home as a way of dealing with their anxieties. Dog breeds that do form strong bonds with their owners are better accustomed to a household where one member of the family remains home, whilst the others are out, this is to help avoid further anxieties and destructive behaviours.
Mypetzilla recommends that all potential owners research their dog breed of choice on their bonding abilities and how well-adjusted they are to being left alone at home. It’s also worth noting that you should never leave your dog for longer than 4 hours alone at home.
There are certain dogs breeds that have very high intellect and therefore easier to train than other dog breeds. There is also a downside to this; as fast as they learn the new trick or command, they can easily pick up bad habits just as quick. Other dog breeds that don’t rank as high on the intellect scale require patience and plenty of reward treats from their owners during training.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, Mypetzilla advices you to fully research your dog breed of choice and their level of training needs.
All dog breeds have different energy levels. The working dog breed has one of the highest energy levels in comparison to the low-energy dog’s breeds such as the Toy dog breed group. To keep a dog truly happy, healthy and well-balanced, their energy levels must be met.
High-energy dog breeds need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. High energy dog breeds would suit an active family or person. Dog breeds that are considered as low-energy, love to spend the majority of their time relaxing and sleeping in their favourite, comfy spot. A low-energy dog breed would suit an individual that equally loves the quiet life and relaxing lifestyle. Of course, low-energy dogs still need their daily walks and mental stimulation, just not as much as a high-energy dog breed.
Mypetzilla recommends that potential owner research fully on the type of dog breed that would suit their existing lifestyle and to also take into consideration the dog breeds energy levels and exercise requirements.
Before you decide on what dog breed would be suitable for you and your family, you must consider whether they’re a friendly dog breed and if you already have other pets within the household. For homes that already have dogs and other domestic pets, then it’s wise to choose a dog breed that has a friendly personality and temperament.
There are some dog breeds that mix well with other dog breeds and there are others that don’t suit one another and this could potentially cause issues later on down the line.
Another important point to consider is whether the dog breed of choice is friendly towards people and children.
Mypetzilla recommends to research fully on the right dog breed for your family and to also consider their temperament and characteristics.
The exact origin of the Kooikerhondje is relatively unknown but the breed has been depicted in paintings as early as the 1650s. It was believed that the breed developed around the early 16th century in the Netherlands as a tolling dog where it was used to lure ducks into “kooien” or cages where the hunter could easily catch the bird. Like many other breeds, the Kooikerhondje population suffered a setback during the Second World War, but thanks to the effort of Baroness Van Hardenbroek van Ammerstol, the breed was rescued from complete extinction. It was recognised as a distinct breed by the Dutch Kennel Club in 1971. The first stock was imported to the UK by Mollie and Bill Yates in 1980 who owned the Valleyrise kennel. However, the breed suffered another setback when husband and wife died and the breed population has to be re-established once more. In recent years, the number of Kooikerhondje continue to rise, although it is still relatively unknown in many parts of UK and Europe.
The Kooikerhondje is often described as cheerful, alert, energetic, intelligent, friendly, and well-behaved. It is an intelligent breed that loves to please its owner and can be trained easily. It is a highly adaptable breed and can quickly familiarize itself to different situations very quickly. In many cases, owners attest that their Kooikerhondje can quickly jump from being quiet to lively whenever the situation ask for it. This breed is a territorial dog and may not always immediately be friends with strangers, instead, will choose to be aloof, but once he gets accustomed to the presence of the stranger, the trust will remain for a long time.
This is an intelligent breed which can be trained easily, especially if rewards-based training is used. The Kooikerhondje needs a firm, committed and gentle hand to become an outstanding companion. Because the dog was originally used as a duck decoy, this breed can excel in lure coursing, obedience, and agility trials.
The Kooikerhondje has a medium long, slightly waved or straight coat with a well-developed undercoat. It has short hairs on the head, front part of the legs and feet but has a well-feathered tail, moderate featherings on the back of legs and underbelly. Grooming involves normal regular brushing/combing to keep the coat shiny and healthy. Shedding usually starts between 3 to 4 months old and can be controlled by regular brushing.
The Kooikerhondje has a tendency to become obese, especially if it does not get proper exercise. It is a generally healthy breed with an average lifespan of 12 to 14 years. The Kooikerhondje has a few genetic medical issues but this does not necessarily mean that all dogs are affected. These are:
The Kooikerhondje makes a good apartment or condominium companion if exercised sufficiently and properly, although a house with a medium-sized yard is ideal for this breed. This dog has a moderate amount of energy but is usually quiet when inside the home. An hour of daily short walks is an ideal exercise routine for this breed as well as an hour of free running inside a well-fenced yard.
The Kooikerhondje is a territorial dog and can become aggressive when strange dogs trespass on his territory but is typically friendly with other household pets including cats especially if it is socialised at an early age, although its high prey drive can sometimes get him into trouble especially against feathered pets. It does not tolerate rowdy children but is a great playmate to older kids who knows how to treat a dog properly.
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