Breeds / Medium
Schapendoes puppies
Cheerful, quick witted and highly biddable, the Schapendoes is a shaggy Dutch herding dog with a light, bounding gait and a real need for daily work.
The facts
- Size class Medium
- Country of origin Netherlands
- Adult weight 11.8 to 24.9 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 26 to 55 lb
- Adult height 41 to 51 cm
- Energy level High
- Grooming Moderate
- Coat type Long double
- Shedding Low
- Typical lifespan 12 to 15 years
- Good with children Fine with supervision
- Good with other dogs Reliably good
About the Schapendoes
The Schapendoes is the Dutch sheepdog of the heathlands, a light, shaggy herder that worked long days moving flocks and was rebuilt from very few dogs after the Second World War. This is a medium dog of 11.8 to 24.9 kg and 41 to 51 cm, with a long double coat that stands off the body and a springy, almost bouncing gait over ground. They are cheerful and quick witted, rated five out of five with other pets, and they respond to training as readily as any herding breed.
Energy is high and the breed genuinely needs the outlet: an hour of running a day keeps them settled and prevents nervousness, backed up by walks, games and dog sports. The coat wants regular brushing to stay free of mats and tangles. They are rated three out of five with children, so supervision and steady socialisation belong in any young family. A suburban dog's routine will not suit them, however appealing the look, and the result is an anxious, noisy dog.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Schapendoes 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.
- Progressive retinal atrophy, detectable by DNA test on both parents
- Hip dysplasia, screened by x-ray evaluation of breeding stock
- Inherited eye disease, screened by an ophthalmologist evaluation
Your Schapendoes 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 Schapendoes.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 11.8 to 24.9 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 24.9 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
Other medium breeds
American Cocker Spaniel
American Pit Bull Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier
American Water Spaniel
Aussiedoodle
Australian Cattle Dog
More on the Schapendoes
Previous: Samoyed · Next: Schipperke
Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
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 Schapendoes breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/schapendoes/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Photo: Caronna, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.