Dutch Shepherd: Difference between revisions
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The breed standard disposition for this dog: affectionate, obedient, tractable, alert, faithful and reliable. The breed standard also mentions “intelligent expression and lively temperament”. |
The breed standard disposition for this dog: affectionate, obedient, tractable, alert, faithful and reliable. The breed standard also mentions “intelligent expression and lively temperament”. |
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The Dutch Shepherd is a high energy, intelligent dog which is not a pet for everyone, because they must be properly exercised and walked every day (like you should with every dog). If that is not done the dog will get into mischief out of frustration. They can be very stubborn but they react very well to the tone of your voice, not so much to physical direction like pushing. They do need a leader in the household. The |
The Dutch Shepherd is a high energy, intelligent dog which is not a pet for everyone, because they must be properly exercised and walked every day (like you should with every dog). If that is not done the dog will get into mischief out of frustration. They can be very stubborn but they react very well to the tone of your voice, not so much to physical direction like pushing. They do need a leader in the household. The enerqy level will vary a lot within this breed. Some can be left alone all day and will not even move (mostly long-haired dogs who where originally bred as guards of the farm and it's animals), some are very energetic and will need a lot more exercise (mostly short haired dogs which are still bred as workdogs). All Dutch Shepherd can be territorial, especially when nobody of the household is around (even upstairs might be to far away) but it is not in their nature to 'attack and kill', they are simply defending their terrain. This is a breed that will push the rules time and time again so consistency will benefit them. These dogs are also very loyal to their family. When properly guided they will be a good addition to any family. |
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A variation of the Dutch Shepherd is the far rarer Dutch Schneuzel; few examples extant in North America.{{citation needed|date=October 2010}} Originally bred for herding cows, the Schneuzel features an unusually soft and wavy brindle coat (mostly black and rust) and a characteristically long torso and gentle disposition.{{citation needed|date=October 2010}} |
A variation of the Dutch Shepherd is the far rarer Dutch Schneuzel; few examples extant in North America.{{citation needed|date=October 2010}} Originally bred for herding cows, the Schneuzel features an unusually soft and wavy brindle coat (mostly black and rust) and a characteristically long torso and gentle disposition.{{citation needed|date=October 2010}} |
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Revision as of 17:38, 29 November 2010
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| Dutch Shepherd Dog | |||||||||
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 A short-coated gold brindle Dutch Shepherd Dog | |||||||||
| Other names | Hollandse Herder Dutch Shepherd Holland Shepherd | ||||||||
| Origin | The Netherlands | ||||||||
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| Notes | This breed is also accepted by ARBA | ||||||||
| Dog (domestic dog) | |||||||||
The Dutch Shepherd Dog is a breed of dog. The breed is an old herding breed of Dutch origin. In the old days shepherds and farmers needed a versatile dog, a jack-of-all-trades, with few demands and adapted to the harsh and meager existence of that time.
From those working dogs the Dutch Shepherd Dog as we know it today was created. This background also explains the character traits which have been well preserved.
Description
Appearance
A medium-sized, medium weight, well-proportioned, well-muscled dog of powerful, well-balanced structure, with intelligent expression and lively temperament.
The length of the body (from point of shoulder to point of buttock) exceeds the height at the withers approximately in a ratio of ten to nine, as suits a trotting dog. The breed is similar to the German Shepherd.
Coat varieties
Short hair: All over the body, quite hard, close-fitting, not too short coat with woolly undercoat. Ruff, breeches and tail plume are clearly visible. Long hair: All over the body, long, straight, well fitting, harsh to the touch, without curls or waves and with a woolly undercoat. Distinct ruff and breeches. Tail abundantly coated. Head, ears and feet and also the hind legs below the hocks are short and densely coated. The backsides of the forelegs show a strongly developed coat, shortening in length towards the feet, the so-called feathering. No fringes at the ears. Wire hair: Dense, harsh tousled coat and a woolly, dense undercoat all over the body except for the head. The coat should be close. Upper- and lower lip should be well-covered with hair, the whiskers and beard, and two well defined, coarse rough eyebrows that are distinct but not exaggerated. Furnishings are not soft. The hair on the skull and on the cheeks is less strongly developed. In profile it seems as if the head has a more square appearance. Strongly developed breeches are desirable. Tail is covered all round with hair. The brindle colour may be less pronounced because of the tousled coat.
Colour Brindle. The basic colour is golden or silver. Golden can vary from light sand- coloured to chestnut red. The brindle is clearly present all over the body, in the ruff, breeches and tail. Too much black is undesirable. A black mask is preferable. Heavy white markings on chest or feet is not desirable
Size
- Height: 57 – 62 cm (dogs) 55 – 60 cm (bitches)
- Weight: 28 kg (dogs) 23 kg (bitches)
Temperament
The breed standard disposition for this dog: affectionate, obedient, tractable, alert, faithful and reliable. The breed standard also mentions “intelligent expression and lively temperament”.
The Dutch Shepherd is a high energy, intelligent dog which is not a pet for everyone, because they must be properly exercised and walked every day (like you should with every dog). If that is not done the dog will get into mischief out of frustration. They can be very stubborn but they react very well to the tone of your voice, not so much to physical direction like pushing. They do need a leader in the household. The enerqy level will vary a lot within this breed. Some can be left alone all day and will not even move (mostly long-haired dogs who where originally bred as guards of the farm and it's animals), some are very energetic and will need a lot more exercise (mostly short haired dogs which are still bred as workdogs). All Dutch Shepherd can be territorial, especially when nobody of the household is around (even upstairs might be to far away) but it is not in their nature to 'attack and kill', they are simply defending their terrain. This is a breed that will push the rules time and time again so consistency will benefit them. These dogs are also very loyal to their family. When properly guided they will be a good addition to any family.
A variation of the Dutch Shepherd is the far rarer Dutch Schneuzel; few examples extant in North America.[citation needed] Originally bred for herding cows, the Schneuzel features an unusually soft and wavy brindle coat (mostly black and rust) and a characteristically long torso and gentle disposition.[citation needed]
Working Ability
The short-haired Dutch Shepherd is used extensively throughout Europe and the United States as a working dog, primarily in police service, including search and rescue. Dutch Shepherds and similar sized working breeds such as the Belgian Malinois are increasingly popular with police agencies because they are smaller than German Shepherds, and therefore easier for handlers to physically pick up and carry, when duty necessitates doing so. Another reason for this increase in popularity is that the Dutch Shepherd breed has not been subject to extensive breeding as has the German Shepherd. This can adversely affect the health and temperament of the individual dog as well as the breed. For example the preference for the German Shepherd's sloping back has resulted[citation needed] in a 19.1% incidence of hip dysplasia compared to a 6.2% incidence found among the Dutch Shepherds.[1]
Care
Exercise
Dutch Shepherds are very active dogs. They have a strong "work ethic", constantly wanting to work and move. Thus it is exceptionally suited for all types of dog sports, particularly schutzhund, Service Dogs Of America, competitive obedience, agility, flyball, and sheepdog trials.
Grooming
The long-haired variety needs to be groomed about once a week, or more frequently depending on work and environment. The short coated variety needs to be brushed and combed several times a week during the spring shedding period. Other times of the year, they only need occasional combing. Over-bathing this breed should be avoided to prevent dryness in the coat which may cause the dog to chew or scratch.
Health
This breed typically lives 12 to 14 years.
References
External links
