German spitz - keeshond

Overall description of the breed

Originally from Germany, the Keeshond is the ancestor of many breeds found on the European continent. It is a variety of German Spitz, well-known as descendants of "peat dogs" or "lake-dwelling dogs," dating back to the Stone Age. At that time, they were primarily used as herding dogs, tasked with protecting herds from potential attacks.

It wasn't until the early 18th century that the Keeshond, also known as the Wolfspitz, made its true appearance. It emerged from a bloody battle in the Netherlands between William I and William Cornelis Van Gijsalaaer, a leader of the political opposition. The latter was the proud owner of a "Kees" (a gray Spitz), and the addition of the word "hound" (meaning dog in Dutch) definitively determined the breed's name.

The German Spitz comprises five different varieties: the largest being the Keeshond or Wolfspitz, the Medium Spitz, the Kleinspitz (small model), and finally, the miniature version, the Pomeranian Spitz.

They are distinguished solely by their size, as their morphological characteristics are identical. It wasn't until the early 20th century that the Keeshond was officially recognized, starting with the establishment of the breed club in 1926.

Throughout history, this small teddy bear-like dog has garnered enthusiasm from numerous celebrities. Indeed, Emile Zola, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and even Queen Marie-Antoinette (wife of King Louis XIV) became proud owners of medium or small-sized German Spitz dogs.

The giant-sized breed was recognized by the International Canine Federation on January 1, 1957, and a recent update of the breed standard was published by the Keeshond or Wolfspitz breed club on September 4, 2019.

Despite its apparent fragility, it has inherited great robustness. Its body is short and compact, with a distinctive dome-shaped and fairly wide head. Its head tapers towards its muzzle, and in the miniature version, it has a well-defined stop, while in the larger ones, the stop is less pronounced. Its small ears are carried erect on top of the skull, and its tail, in a semi-circle, falls over the end of its back.

It boasts a distinctive bear-like appearance with abundant and fluffy fur, thicker on the tail and around the neck. The coat colors accepted by the breed standard are black, white, cream, and red, although other colors have emerged recently.

The giant Spitz is a bold and naturally cautious dog. It won't hesitate to alert its owners in case of danger. Gentle and calm by nature, it is devoted and extremely attached to its owners, even to the point of being somewhat clingy. In fact, this trait is particularly pronounced, and solitude often causes it some anxiety. Thus, the Keeshond will bear the absence of its loved ones with difficulty.

Endearing and playful, it is constantly in search of new physical activities. Like all primitive-type dogs, its behavior is instinctive, and it may not be very receptive to strict training, relying more on its intuition and your behavior to anticipate your reactions. Devoted to its family, it will always seek to please its loved ones. The Keeshond will undoubtedly bring joy to both young and old.

As an adult, the Keeshond will weigh approximately 20 kg (44 lbs) and stand between 34 to 38 cm (13.5" to 15") tall.