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Nederlandse Kooikerhondje breed guide
The American Kennel Club calls the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje the little white and orange dog with a big heart, a sporty, eye-catching fellow with a silky all-weather coat of white with red patches.
Large black-tipped ears and a richly fringed tail wagged proudly make it instantly recognizable.
Temperament
The Nederlandse Kooikerhondje is lively, agile, self-confident, good-natured and alert, faithful and easygoing in the home and a true sporting dog outdoors, keen, swift, tough and energetic. It enjoys working and does so cheerfully.
It is cheerful, intelligent and lively but not hyper, with the prey drive and energy of its historic work and the sensitive character of a spaniel. It is best trained with a firm attitude because it may be very determined.
Lifespan
Kooikerhondjes live 12 to 15 years. The breed is relatively healthy and long-lived. Because it began from a very limited founding population it is susceptible to various hereditary conditions, so proper breeding practices are recommended to reduce inbreeding and promote genetic diversity.
Care
An occasional bath keeps the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje clean. Its strong, fast-growing nails need regular trimming with a clipper or grinder to avoid overgrowth, splitting and cracking.
It is a clever, lively, cheerful, devoted, sweet companion in the home and an athletic, driven, eager, busy explorer outdoors.
History
The breed is very old, appearing in paintings by the Dutch masters back into the late Middle Ages. It worked in the Eendenkooi, manmade duck-trapping pond systems from before the invention of gunpowder, hand-dug ponds of 3 to 10 acres.
It is also tied to the founder of the Dutch Monarchy, Prince William of Oranje, whose Kooiker named Kuntz was credited with saving the prince's life when assassins sought to kill him.
AKC trait ratings
| Trait | AKC rating | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Level | 4 of 5 | Couch Potato to High Energy |
| Trainability Level | 5 of 5 | Self-Willed to Eager to Please |
| Shedding Level | 3 of 5 | No Shedding to Hair Everywhere |
| Barking Level | 3 of 5 | Only To Alert to Very Vocal |
| Adaptability Level | 4 of 5 | Lives For Routine to Highly Adaptable |
| Good With Young Children | 3 of 5 | Not Recommended to Good With Children |
| Good With Other Dogs | 3 of 5 | Not Recommended to Good With Other Dogs |
| Watchdog/Protective Nature | 3 of 5 | What's Mine Is Yours to Vigilant |