Dutch Shepherd Breed Description

Introduction

These dogs originated in the Netherlands. They are sturdy, hardy and obedient, yet independent and most of all, reliable. They are fiercely loyal to their pack, highly intelligent and totally trustworthy. There are three coat-types: short haired, long haired and wire haired. The short and long-haired varieties require minimal grooming, except in the molting period. Brushing once a week should suffice. The rough-haired variety requires professional trimming twice a year. They have a variety of coat colors. These dogs can be found herding sheep, guarding home and hearth, in rescue work, police work and drug detection. They are a great family pet and guard dog. They weigh 65 to 67 lbs. and stand 22-25" at the shoulders.

History

The low countries, notably Belgium and the Netherlands, have bred farm dogs for centuries, seeking multi-purpose animals with the intelligence and stamina to accomplish many tasks, especially herding and guarding. The Dutch Shepherd is the result of such breeding on the Netherlands side of the border; the Belgian Shepherd evolved on the other side of that border. Today, the Belgian Shepherd has become recognizable throughout the Americas, but the Dutch Shepherd remains rare even in its own country.

Description

While many people won't correctly identify a Dutch Shepherd on sight due to unfamiliarity with the breed, they will most assuredly know they are looking at a Shepherd of some kind. The long muzzle erect ears and tail with its slight curve, deep belly and chest are the trademarks of all shepherds, and the Dutch display their traits with muscle and agility.

There are three types of Dutch Shepherd determined by which kind of hair they have. Long haired, the rarest, refers to those with straight long hair; rather than being soft or silky as on some dogs, on long haired Dutch Shepherds the hair is harsh to the touch; coarse in texture, it lays flat against the dog's body. Short haired Dutch Shepherd, (the majority of dogs in the Netherlands are this type) feel much softer; their fur is fine and smooth, with the density expected of dogs bred to herd and guard. The wire haired variety don't appear as often; unknown whether that's because of human preferences or genetics. They have mid-length hair (as compared to the long and short haired Dutch Shepherds) which is wiry overall.

There's no difference in colors among the hair types: blue or gold, gray, red, silver and yellow brindle. As with most breeds, blue is the rarest; the brindles predominate.

Temperament

Many who know them believe that Dutch Shepherds are the brightest and most versatile of all the shepherd dogs. They excel at police work, where they routinely outperform other shepherds. As guides and rescue workers they are devoted and tireless, and they do exceptionally well in the various herding competitions. Being as bright as they are means they need consistent training, both to reinforce the owner's pack primacy and to positively reinforce the desired behaviors from the dog.

Health and Care

Dutch Shepherds of all three hair types shed. For the long and short hair varieties, regular brushing will remove dead hair and evenly distribute the coat's protective oils. Like other wire haired dogs, that variety's coat should not be brushed. These should be plucked to remove dead hair; groomers recommend two to four times a year. There is normally no need to bathe any them, as their coats are weather proof and shed common grime and dirt with ease.

It is important to assess whether you are able to provide the mental stimulation and work these dogs need to be happy and well adjusted. It is not a question of the size of your living space; that's not the issue for Dutch Shepherds. They need fulfillment on both an intellectual and physical level and that must come daily for the dog to thrive.

Colors

Varies

Living Area

Will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. Their all-weather coat enables them to do well in cold climates.

Recognized By

CKC, FCI, NKC, APRI, ACR, DRA

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