About the Breeder

Aust Ch Rysup Stargate - Multi All Breeds BIS winner

After gaining both their Championship titles, our first bitch (CH Kendoss Xtra Sparkle) was bred, and her daughter (CH Kjutse Box Office Hit) became our first home-bred show puppy, titled at 13 months. Lots of shows later, and we are still hooked, with Sara now an accomplished Junior Handler with numerous certificates and PAL awards and medallions. Sara loves to show ANY dog, and is often seen running around the ring, attached to just about any breed BUT her beloved Keeshonden. Our first lovely keeshond bitch is now a great-grandmother, so our time with this gentle, friendly breed has allowed us the joy of producing the many fine quality Keeshonden we have bred. We do NOT breed our girls to supply any demand for Keeshond puppies, and ALL litters are bred with producing the next Fyreburst Champion in mind.

Aust Ch Kendoss Casablanka - All Breeds Champ Best In Show & Multi Royal BOB winner

History of the Dutch Barge Dog

The Keeshond is a breed known to have descended from the arctic strains which gave us the Samoyed, Norwegian Elkhound, Siberian Husky and a variety of other spitz dogs. The Keeshond is sometimes better remembered as the Dutch Barge Dog. A barge, a watercraft like a cross between a tug and a small freighter with a flat bottom, glides easily on the many rivers and canals intertwined across the Netherlands. In the 1700's, the breed gained notoriety as a symbol of the Patriots (Keezen, which loosely means rabble) when Holland was divided in to two political factions. Cornelius de Gyselaar, a patriot leader who followed William of Orange, had one of these then popular spitz dogs as his companion. 'Kees' being a local nickname for Cornelius, and 'hond' the dutch word for dog, Cornelius is widely credited for having established the name of the breed as his dog, i.e. Kees' hond. Unfortunately for many Keeshonden, when the rebellion was eventually lost, many of these beautiful dogs were destroyed to disavow any connection to the defeated rebel party. Thankfully, a small number of barge captains and farmers kept their hardworking and loyal companions, and as such the breed has now flourished in not only Holland, but in countries all over the world where breeders have faithfully maintained the breed in accordance with breed standards set by the Controlling Canine Bodies of which they are members. 

FAQ's about Keeshonds

2. DO THEY GET HOT EASILY? Yes, all dogs can get hot, especially where there is no escape for them to a cooler area. The Keeshond coat is a double coat comprising of stiff outer guard hairs, and soft fluffy undercoat. The outer guard hairs work to keep the undercoat lifted and separate. The undercoat however, if allowed to matt and knot, will make air circulation around the skin impossible, and trap heat close to the dog's skin. The double coat works as insulation against the heat, but if exercised on hot days, the heat may become trapped due to the dog's inability to sweat. Keeshonds lose heat by panting, and are usually far happier sleeping on the bathroom tiles rather than the Master Bed on hot days. Try adding ice cubes to a metal waterbowl (kept in the shade), exercising only in the early morning or late afternoon (night time could be even better in summer), and keeping your Kees brushed often to allow for air circulation. Find the coolest spot in the house by placing a small thermometer on a floor accessible to your dog, and measure the temperature in various places throughout the house. 

Our young male Fyreburst Red Devil. Already winning Championship Show Best In Group and Class In Show awards. Soon to be titled.

Ice bricks are another consideration, but do not use ones which may contain toxic gels, instead use the hard water filled plastic ones which are easily washed and re-frozen.  

3. DO THEY SUFFER FROM ANY HEREDITARY DISORDERS? Yes, they can. Diabetes, Epilepsy, Hip Displasia, Acquired Hypothyroidism, Mitral Valve Malformation, Renal Cortical Hypoplasia, Generalised Progressive Retinal Atrophy and Tetralogy of Fallot (severe heart murmur) have all been recorded in this breed, but careful selection of breeding stock by breeders have made these abnormalities a rarity, with the breed recognised as one of the healthiest and longer-living companion dogs. Always purchase your keeshond from a registered breeder.