Keeshond
Also called Wolfspitz, Wolfsspitz, Dutch Barge Dog, Smiling Dutchman, Deutscher Wolfspitz
From The Netherlands and Germany. The FCI lists it as a variety of the German Spitz (country of origin Germany), while the Keeshond name and type are strongly tied to Holland.123
At a glance the quick version
FCI and AKC set no weight; range from Wikipedia.
Coat and looks how to spot one
long double coat
A sturdy, square spitz dressed in a plush coat: a straight, harsh outer layer standing away from a soft, woolly undercoat, with a big ruff around the neck, feathered legs, 'trousers' behind and a curled plume of a tail.45
Personality what they are like
A lively, bright and affectionate family dog that likes to stay close to its people. It will let you know when someone arrives, yet it is neither shy nor aggressive, and it tends to enjoy training and dog sports such as obedience and agility.542
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Moderate: up to about an hour a day of walks and play keeps it content.6
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
The thick coat needs frequent brushing, ideally daily, with extra work when the undercoat is shed once or twice a year. The coat should not be shaved, as it helps regulate temperature.62
Home where they are happiest
Adapts to houses or flats as long as it gets daily exercise and is kept close to the family rather than left alone outside.62
Company who they like around
A people-oriented 'velcro dog' that wants to be part of family life and gets on well with other dogs.25
The story where it all began
The Wolfspitz is one of the oldest spitz types in Central Europe. In 18th-century Holland it was a common watchdog on river barges and farms, and it became the emblem of the Patriot party led by Cornelis 'Kees' de Gyselaer, which gave the breed its name. Breed enthusiasts revived it in the early 20th century, and it reached Britain in 1905.4263
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
The breed is named after Kees de Gyselaer, an 18th-century Dutch political leader whose dog became a symbol of his party.2
- 2
The fine dark lines around the eyes are called 'spectacles' and are a hallmark of the breed.5
- 3
It was a familiar sight on Dutch canal barges, earning the nickname Dutch Barge Dog.3
- 4
A Keeshond called Tikva offered comfort to rescue workers at Ground Zero after 11 September 2001.2
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 97 German Spitz, variety Wolfsspitz/Keeshond; Group 5, Section 4 European Spitz; accepted definitively 1 January 1957, current standard 3 September 2024.1
- The Royal Kennel Club
- Utility group; not a vulnerable native breed. Recognised in the UK in 1926 per Wikipedia.6
- AKC
- Non-Sporting group; admitted 1930. Current standard approved 8 October 2024, effective 1 January 2025.5
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Keeshond. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- BrushingDaily during heavy sheddingevery 3 days
- Double coats insulate against cold and heat, so shaving is not recommended
- Bathevery 10 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkevery 2 weeks
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 8every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- FCI nomenclature: German Spitz (97) fci.beused for recognition
- Keeshond - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for names, weight, lifespan, history, fun facts
- AKC Keeshond breed page akc.orgused for barge dog history
- FCI standard no. 97 German Spitz fci.beused for height, coat, colour, temperament, history
- AKC Keeshond breed standard images.akc.orgused for height, coat, colour, temperament
- The Royal Kennel Club: Keeshond royalkennelclub.comused for exercise, grooming, lifespan, UK history
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.