Keeshond

Keeshonden do well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially made or home-prepared with your veterinarian's supervision and approval. Like many Northern breeds, they also do well on a fish-based diet that is low in carbohydrates. Match the food to the dog's age and activity level, and follow the feeding guide on the package so your dog gets the daily nutrients it needs.

An adult Keeshond typically eats about 1.5 to 2.5 cups a day, split into two meals (one morning, one evening), adjusted for life stage and activity. Puppies need to eat more often, up to four meals a day. Portion food with a measuring cup to avoid overfeeding, and keep treats to no more than 10% of daily calories.

Some dogs are prone to gaining weight, so watch calorie intake and body condition. Fish oil can support a Keeshond's coat and overall health, and glucosamine is worth discussing for joint support. Talk to your veterinarian before adding any supplement, and keep clean, fresh water available at all times.

The Keeshond carries a long double coat, and a weekly pass with a pin brush usually does the job, clearing the undercoat and removing dirt and dead hair while keeping shedding in check. During heavier sheds, brushing several times a week helps prevent mats and tangles. The only trimming needed is tidying around the feet, pads, and hocks.

Many owners brush at home and visit a groomer for a bath and blow-dry every four to six weeks. This breed does not typically have sensitive skin, and regular bathing and brushing help keep the skin and coat in good shape. Contact your vet if you notice changes such as flakiness, redness, or itching.

Clean the ears with a veterinary-approved cleanser any time your Keeshond gets wet, such as after a bath or a swim. Trim the nails to prevent splitting, cracking, and painful overgrowth, and start dental care young with at-home brushing plus professional cleanings on your vet's advice. The spectacle markings usually do not block vision, but trim surrounding fur if it causes problems and tell your vet about any redness or discharge around the eyes.

Keeshonden are adaptable dogs, with homes that have ranged from farms with room to run to barges with little space to move. That adaptability extends to their exercise needs, but it does not mean the breed slots into every home.

This moderately active breed needs regular exercise and likes being with its family. A free run or a good daily walk keeps them satisfied, and they are equally happy on a long or short walk, playing at the dog park, or competing in agility, flyball, or obedience. These are playful dogs, so make time for games and toys, after which they will gladly settle onto the sofa while you read or watch TV.

Keeshonden are typically well-mannered and not known for excessive barking, though they can grow vocal when left alone or when they sense something amiss. They suit families or individuals who can give them quality time and make them part of daily life, so factor in their moderate energy and grooming needs before bringing one home.

Keeshonden are very smart and highly trainable. They learn quickly and want to please their trainers, though the trainer has to keep pace, since a Kees can grow bored and pick up new habits, not always the ones you had in mind. They have excelled in obedience, agility, and therapy work, and their cleverness and eagerness to please make them very responsive to positive reinforcement.

Start with your Kees as a puppy, ideally between 10 and 14 weeks old. Early socialization and a puppy kindergarten class help them learn the basics like sit, stay, and come, and keeping sessions upbeat and varied holds their attention.

Friendly and eager to please, Keeshonden get along well with other pets and with children who know how to interact with animals. Sometimes called the smiling Dutchman for their happy temperament, they are social dogs who do not do well left alone for long hours and should be treated as part of the family.