At a glance the quick version
Raad van Beheer gives 6-8 kg for the breed overall.
Coat and looks how to spot one
medium-length, fine, soft, straight, with feathering
A dainty, lightly built little black spaniel type with a gentle expression, a long uncurled tail and a silky, medium-length coat that forms feathering on the ears, legs and tail.1
Personality what they are like
Alert and cheerful but very sociable, greeting visitors warmly. It loves joining its people on outings, yet copes well with being left alone for a few hours, and with good introductions it can live with cats and small pets.12
Daily activity how busy a day looks
More active than a lap dog: it enjoys long walks and a good run.2
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Regular brushing keeps the soft coat and its feathering free of tangles.1
Home where they are happiest
Its small size and adaptable nature suit a house or apartment, provided it gets daily walks.12
Company who they like around
A companion breed that likes being with its family, but is relaxed enough to spend a few hours on its own.1
The story where it all began
Small black spaniel-like dogs resembling the Markiesje appear in Dutch paintings of the 17th and 18th centuries. In the early 20th century the Dutch dog writer Toepoel suggested such dogs could be restored as a breed, and focused breeding of today's Markiesje began in the mid-1970s.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Its English nickname is the Dutch Tulip Dog.2
- 2
Dogs that look like Markiesjes but have no pedigree are called 'look-alikes' in the Netherlands.1
- 3
Three Dutch breed clubs work together on the breed's health and development.1
- 4
Lookalike little black dogs appear in Dutch paintings from the 1600s and 1700s.2
Recognised by the official bits
- Raad van Beheer op Kynologisch Gebied in Nederland
- Recognised nationally in the Netherlands as a companion breed (listed under FCI group 9 companion breeds on the Raad van Beheer site).1
- FCI
- Not (yet) recognised by the FCI.2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Markiesje. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery 3 weeks
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery day
- 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 10every 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.
- Raad van Beheer (houdenvanhonden.nl): Markiesje houdenvanhonden.nlused for size, weight, coat, colours, temperament, history, facts
- Wikipedia: Markiesje en.wikipedia.orgused for other names, FCI status, temperament, history
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.