Origin of keeshond

Keeshond's country of origin is Holland but the breed has been developed in England. He has been used as a guard dog on barges and as a farm dog in the countryside. Keeshond adapts easily to living in limited space. It enjoys being on the sea, moving briskly on slippery boat surfaces. Keeshond does not have game instinct which makes it an excellent companion for a nature lover. It does not disturb animals in forest and stays with owner when left loose from lead. Fighting keeshond Keeshond has been named for Cornelius de Gyselaer who was a noted patriot of the 18th century in Holland. 'Kees' is an abbreviation for 'Cornelius' and keeshond became a mascot of the Patriots' Party. The Republican party went to defeat and the leaders were taken prisoners and hung. After the defeat it was not popular to keep Republicans' mascot as pet and the breed was about to die out. Fortunately British noble ladies travelling on Holland's channels saw these dogs and since became admirers of these Barge dogs. They started to import them to England and bred them to the keeshond of today. From England keeshond has spread especially to USA, Canada, Australia and Scandinavian countries. Forefathers of keeshond Keeshond may be related to Northern Spitz family who could have been moved to Germany during the Pommern war. Proofs of probable relationship can be found, like e.g. other colours as white and black coming up occasionally in breeding. These are, however, not approved to dog register. In Central Europe a different type of dog, wolfspitz, is included also to be a member of keeshond breed. Wolfspitz has been used when breeding keeshond. In Finland we breed keeshonds of the English type. The dogs are to some extent smaller in size (dogs 45 cm in height, bitches 43 cm) and more compact in body and have stronger bone than wolfspitz.

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