Keeshond
- Thread starter Satish
- Start date
First I want to say I LOVE keeshonds. So sweet, super affectionate and easy to train. But one of the main reasons I didn't get one is because they don't dowell in hot weather, like most spitz breeds. It can be very hot in the summer here, and that's when I want to be playing with my dog. They re certainly not considered 'barkless' dogs, but they aren't yappy either. They can be a bit stubborn, so a firm but gentle hand is needed. =)
But I think that the overall personality makes up for the cons, as long as they work out for you.
But I think that the overall personality makes up for the cons, as long as they work out for you.
I love them! My parents have one that is 10 years old. I will second the fact that they do not do well in hot weather though. They are the sweetest dogs, great with kids, and easy to train. However they are prone to allergies. My parents Keeshond has a pretty intimidating bark when someone comes to the door, but the most he would ever do is lick someone to death. Zeus is such a well behaved dog and I'm biased, so I'm having a hard time thinking of other cons now. 
But do a lot of research, and make sure you get one from a good breeder. Zeus was from a BYB, so he has a lot of health problems. Overall they are great dogs.
But do a lot of research, and make sure you get one from a good breeder. Zeus was from a BYB, so he has a lot of health problems. Overall they are great dogs.First of all, I own 3 Keeshonden (the proper plural) and enjoy them a lot. Secondly, I runa forum for Keeshond owners called KeesTalk and I have members with Keeshonden in some of the hottest places on Earth like Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Florida, Mexico, Zimbabwe, and Australia. According to my members in the "hot spots" their Keeshonden do just fine. Thirdly, here's those pros and cons you were looking for:
PROS:
1. Alert, eager and intelligent they are fairly easy to train. Do quite well at dog sports including obedience, agility and flyball.
2.They are gentle and get along very well as a rule with children and other pets. Their tolerance for children is renowned.
3. Absolutely love you and will readily follow you anywhere. They fall asleep at your feet or on you (if you let them).
4. Will alert you to anything amiss on your yard or in your house.
5. Fairly calm and quiet in the house and playful outside.
6. Are fairly adapable to just nearly any kind of home/living environment.
CONS:
1. Have a profuse coat that requires Aa good deal of brushing (but no trimming). Do not shed much but blow coat twice a year at which time you must brush daily or be in store for Keeshond tumbleweeds around your house. They will matt badly if not brushed.
2. Will often become yappy if not trained a “quiet” command. They have a high pitched yap that can slice through your skull like a jackhammer. My ears have actually “rang” when my pack has gone off in close proximity. (Actually, I kinda jump out of my skin for a brief second or two.)
3. They can suffer separation anxiety more than other breeds. They don't tolerate being left alone for long periods very well, i.e. will get destructive from boredom or develop nuisance barking, etc.
4. An easily distracted breed, they think everything is their business. This goes along with the alert thing but can be a drawback in the obedience ring.
5. Though mine is very sociable and overly friendly I have heard that some Kees can be shy if not socialized. I suppose this is true of any breed but Kees are quite “soft” (do not take well to harsh punishment or even a harsh word) so I could see how not giving them an opportunity to develop confidence could result in a shy dog. I also think that some of these “shy” dogs may have been a result of harsh training methods.
6. Can be stubborn and too smart for some people. (Owners really do need to stay one-step ahead of their Keeshonden.)
7. Doesn't take very well to reptative (obedience) work. Can become bored with it very quickly.
Neither good or bad:
1. They love food and have a tendency to become overweight if not monitored.
2. They aren't a one person dog and truely bond to everyone in the family, even to strangers if said stranger has a treat.
3. They are very enthusiastic especially when young and need decent amount of exercise to burn off this energy.
4. They like structure and consistency in their lives.
PROS:
1. Alert, eager and intelligent they are fairly easy to train. Do quite well at dog sports including obedience, agility and flyball.
2.They are gentle and get along very well as a rule with children and other pets. Their tolerance for children is renowned.
3. Absolutely love you and will readily follow you anywhere. They fall asleep at your feet or on you (if you let them).
4. Will alert you to anything amiss on your yard or in your house.
5. Fairly calm and quiet in the house and playful outside.
6. Are fairly adapable to just nearly any kind of home/living environment.
CONS:
1. Have a profuse coat that requires Aa good deal of brushing (but no trimming). Do not shed much but blow coat twice a year at which time you must brush daily or be in store for Keeshond tumbleweeds around your house. They will matt badly if not brushed.
2. Will often become yappy if not trained a “quiet” command. They have a high pitched yap that can slice through your skull like a jackhammer. My ears have actually “rang” when my pack has gone off in close proximity. (Actually, I kinda jump out of my skin for a brief second or two.)
3. They can suffer separation anxiety more than other breeds. They don't tolerate being left alone for long periods very well, i.e. will get destructive from boredom or develop nuisance barking, etc.
4. An easily distracted breed, they think everything is their business. This goes along with the alert thing but can be a drawback in the obedience ring.
5. Though mine is very sociable and overly friendly I have heard that some Kees can be shy if not socialized. I suppose this is true of any breed but Kees are quite “soft” (do not take well to harsh punishment or even a harsh word) so I could see how not giving them an opportunity to develop confidence could result in a shy dog. I also think that some of these “shy” dogs may have been a result of harsh training methods.
6. Can be stubborn and too smart for some people. (Owners really do need to stay one-step ahead of their Keeshonden.)
7. Doesn't take very well to reptative (obedience) work. Can become bored with it very quickly.
Neither good or bad:
1. They love food and have a tendency to become overweight if not monitored.
2. They aren't a one person dog and truely bond to everyone in the family, even to strangers if said stranger has a treat.
3. They are very enthusiastic especially when young and need decent amount of exercise to burn off this energy.
4. They like structure and consistency in their lives.
I have only met one before while walking in my area, he attacked Athena. Luckily Athena didn't take him seriously. It's owners were idiots. The dog ( I found out later) had a reputation of being very dog aggressive. That is just my experience with one member of the breed raised by idiots...take it for what it is worth (very little)
I just adopted a Keeshond from the local animal shelter here and absolutely love him. He is 2 years old and we don't know anything about his past but he adjusted very quickly into our family of kids and other animals. The only problems we have with him really are, of course, the sheer amount of grooming he requires, he is a barker and gets really upset and loud during thunderstorms (the thunder makes him crazed!) and he likes to steal food if we don't keep an eye on him. Other than that, he is very smart and easy to train and incrdibly friendly and sweet. Good luck with your Kees!