Keeshond puppies

About the Keeshond

The Keeshond descends from German spitz stock and became the dog of the Dutch canal barges, where they kept watch in a very small space and made themselves popular with everyone aboard. This is a medium dog of 15.9 to 20.4 kg standing 43 to 46 cm, with a long standing off double coat in grey, black and cream, a tightly curled tail and the dark shading around the eyes known as spectacles. They are friendly, busy and quick to raise the alarm.

Energy is high, so a daily free run or a decent walk matters, and the breed takes to obedience and agility readily. Going through the coat once a week with a pin brush keeps the undercoat moving and shedding down; the only trimming needed is around the feet and hocks, and it should never be shaved. They rate at the top of the scale with children and other pets, with supervision. They bark freely, so teach a quiet cue early. Try not to leave one alone all day, because that is when the barking starts.

What to expect at eight weeks

At eight weeks a Keeshond puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A medium breed puppy at eight weeks is a manageable armful that will not stay that way. Most of the growth happens between now and six months, so buy for the adult dog where you can. This is a high energy breed. At eight weeks that shows up as intensity rather than stamina, and they will need a job to do long before they need long walks. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.

Health worth knowing about

Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.

• Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), detectable by DNA test
• Hip dysplasia, screened under the BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme
• Elbow dysplasia, screened under the BVA/KC Elbow Dysplasia Scheme
• Inherited eye disease, screened under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme
• Obesity, detected by regular hands on body condition scoring, since the thick coat hides weight gain

Your Keeshond puppy's first six months

• Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
• Worming and parasite schedule.
• Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Medium for a Keeshond.
• Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 15.9 to 20.4 kg adult range.
• Puppy names and the first week checklist.

Kit sizes: crate 36 inch (36 x 24 x 26 in, 91 x 61 x 66 cm) for an adult of up to 20.4 kg; chew toys made for medium breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.

Buying guides for this

• Best crate for a puppy: wire, plastic or soft, and how to size one with a divider

Other medium breeds

More on the Keeshond

Previous: Karelian Bear Dog · Next: Kerry Blue Terrier

Sources

• akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
• fci.be for country of origin
• Health notes from Keeshond breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/keeshond/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.

Photo: dancing with wolves, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.