Reasons Why The Keeshond May Be Just The Pet You're Looking For

By Donna Lee


If you love dogs, there are probably a couple of breeds you favor. Today a lot of pet owners are in love with teacups and Labs. There are a lot of other great breeds to consider however. For someone on the lookout for a puppy that people will be stopping to stare at, and want to know more about, the Keeshond should be high on their list. In addition to looks, they have intelligence, personality, and are devoted to their owners.

This particular breed started showing up in the sixteen and seventeen hundreds in Holland. There the dogs were used primarily to guard boats and barges and serve as companions to the rowers. The breed is still commonly referred to as Dutch Barge Dogs. They are cousins to Chows, Pomeranians, and a number of other breeds. The Dutch count this dog as their favorite. Dutch Barges did not get to the United States until 1929 and in 1930 were registered with the American Kennel Club.

They're very manageable for those who live in apartments, although they sometimes look bigger than they really are because of their thick coats and massive tails. Mature Barges only stand about a foot and a half high and weight around forty-five pounds. As you would expect, the males are slightly taller and heavier than the females.

These are people dogs. Barges are devoted to their owners and become great companions. They are extremely intelligent and eager enough to please that they take to training quite easily. All these dogs need is encouragement, consistency, and some favorite treats to master basic commands. Barges are full of personality and love showing off. They are known to spin in circles at the sight of their owners.

Barges are considered a pretty healthy breed, but like all dogs they're prone to certain diseases and conditions. You need to familiarize yourself with all the possible health issues before you commit to any pet. Barges may develop Addison's Disease which is very serious. The dogs can suffer from hip dysplasia, diabetes, and Von Willebrand's Disease, which involves clotting of the blood.

These dogs can adapt to all kinds of housing. They even thrive on boats, as long as there are people around. Left to their own devices Barges will develop a tendency to bark loudly and often to the annoyance of your neighbors. If a dog that will run long distances with you is something you want, you do not want a Dutch Barge. These animals can only stand a certain amount of exercise. Any more and they will get overheated. They thrive in cold climates and need protection from the sun in hot climates.'

You might be surprised to learn the Barges are not hard to maintain. Although they carry an undercoat and two top coats, their fur really doesn't mat much when it is brushed on a consistent basis. They will shed intensely two times a year.

Breeders advise owners not to have Barges shaved when it gets warm, even though they don't tolerate heat. Their coats serve as insulators and actually protect them from the heat. Their coats also give them protection from sunburn.




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