Kooikerhondje - Interesting Facts, Information and Pictures by Pets Planet...

If you're thinking about adopting a dog, you need to find the right breed that fits your lifestyle. Details like size, energy level, and personality can really affect not only your home but the happiness of your new furry friend. Doing your due diligence and researching is a great way to start off the adoption process!

If you have the right kind of life for a cheerful, smart, and endlessly energetic dog, then you might want to consider the Kooikerhondje.

The Kooikerhondje originates from...

A dog with a colourful history, the Kooikerhondje derives from the Netherlands where it was traditionally utilised in tolling and luring ducks to awaiting traps, a practice that is seldom seen in modern Holland. Featured in paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries, the breed was resurrected by Baroness Van Hardenbroek at the onset of WWII when it faced near extinction. A known eccentric, the Baroness would use her dogs to guide Allied soldiers through the woods to safety at the Belgian border, whilst instructing passing salesmen to look out for a dog matching the description of the Kooikerhondje so as to breed from it. Once said dog was located, the Baroness travelled to Friesland province where the farmer agreed to loan his dog for the purpose of selectively resurrecting the rare breed. The Kooikerhondje was officially recognised by the Dutch Kennel Club in 1971.

Life Expectancy

Kooikers usually live between 12 and 14 years.

Coat Color And Grooming

The thick, medium-length Kooiker coat is straight or has a slight wave. The color ranges from orange to deep chestnut red on a white background. On the ears are black tips known as earrings. Light feathering adorns the legs, and the predominantly white tail is well feathered.A good brushing every week — more often during shedding season — should keep your Kooiker's coat in good condition. The coat is naturally waterproof, and will stay fairly clean on its own. Give your Kooiker a bath only if he's gotten into something smelly, as bathing can actually interfere with the coat's dirt-repelling powers.

Temperament/Behavior

The Kooikerhondje is playful and energetic.A friendly and affectionate dog with his family, the Kooikerhondje is quite reserved with strangers. Once properly introduced, the Kooiker will happily accept guests into their homes. Of course, treats and attention will speed up the acceptance process.

Kooikers are extremely sensitive dogs. They do not like to be around people who yell, scream or are at all boisterous. A calm and quiet household will suit this breed perfectly. The Kooikerhondje is playful and energetic. As athletes, they are up for nearly anything. They love to play fetch, especially if it is played near the water. After all, Kooikers love the water. They were bred to be in and around the water and still enjoy romping, splashing and swimming. Families with active kids and a pond or pool will be quite happy with a Kooikerhondje.

On the downside, Kooikers love to chase things, especially small animals. Families with cats, bunnies or other small pets should be very mindful when a Kooiker is around. If introduced to other animals when the dog is a puppy, they should get along just fine.

Children and Other Pets

The Kooikerhondje is a gentle character when they are children around which makes them great family pets. They enjoy being in a home environment and thrive on being involved in everything that goes on around them which includes playing fun games with the kids. However, any interaction between younger children and a dog should always be well supervised by an adult to make sure playtime does not end up getting too boisterous.

If well socialised from a young enough age, the Kooiker generally gets on with other dogs they meet and if they grow up with a family cat in the home, they usually get on well together too. However, a Kooikerhondje would think nothing of chasing any other cats they come across. Care should always be taken when they are around any small animals and pets just to be on the safe side.

For further advice please read our article on Keeping Children Safe around Dogs.

Interesting facts

Besides the Dutch paintings, the ancestors of the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje were mentioned in some texts. For example, the historian Pieter Hooft wrote in his book "Dutch Stories" (Neederlandsche Histoorien), that this little dog saved the life of King Willem van Oranje (William of Orange) in 1572 by scratching hard on the canvas of his tent to wake him in time and thus avoid the attack of the Spaniards.

Kooikerhondje are also known as:

Kooiker Hound

Small Dutch Waterfowl Dog

Dutch Decoy Dog

Dutch Decoy Spaniel

Kooiker Dog

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