Kooikerhondje

Temperament:
The Kooikerhondje's affectionate and sturdy nature makes it a delightful family dog. Pictures painted by the Dutch artist, Jan Steen depict the Kooikerhondje's past role an integral part of family life. This breed is happy and self- assured, yet cautious with strangers and other dogs. Their temperaments should be neither aggressive nor anti-social. While it may take a little time, the Kooikerhondje, once accustomed to some-body, will always be a good and loyal friend. Socialization is the key to overcoming to the breed's cautiousness and to preventing potential behavioral problems, so start early. Kooikerhondjes make good watchdogs (but they are not noisy) and they make first rate companions because they like to be among people. The little Kooikerhondje won the hearts of the Dutch people when Prince William II of Orange was saved by his faithful Kooikerhondje "Kuntze" who awakened the prince in the night during an assassination attempt. Generally speaking, due to the sensitive nature of the breed and the fact that the breed as a rule doesn't like unnecessary handling, Kooikerhondjes are not recommended as playmates for small or unruly children. They do like children however, and like most dogs, if they are raised with children and both child and dog have been taught to respect each other, there is no reason to pass over the Kooikerhondje as a family pet. Kooikerhondjes are sensitive and intelligent and have a strong character. For that reason, they need consistent, firm training with a soft voice. Yelling at a Kooikerhondje accomplishes little and can do more harm than good. Clicker training comes highly recommended. This breed responds well to positive reinforcement and food. Start training as soon as possible and make it fun. Use the moments that the dog does something you want him to do on his own (like laying down) and praise him while giving the command. Soon your dog will learn to associate the behavior with the command. Generally, you can start housetraining between 5 to 8 weeks of age. Your puppy won't be fully reliable until sometimes after 6 months of age. The sooner you start the sooner they understand and the less accidents they have. Most Kooikerhondjes love to be active and use their minds. Here is a list of activities that Kooikerhondjes are well suited to: Flushing Birds (primarily for fun), Retrieving (if they are taught well), Tracking, Agility, Obedience, Conformation, Dance (obedience and maneuvers set to music), Swimming and playing in Water, Activities that require a lot of physical exertion should be properly managed in order to prevent injury to the dog. Puppies can start agility training around 6-8 months of age provided that jumping is not part of the training. During the first year, your puppy is still growing and the bones and joints are not fully formed. Any activity that puts a strain on the legs, spine and joints should be avoided until after the dog has reached one year of age so as to avoid risk serious and permanent injury to your dog. Teaching your dog for conformation dog shows can start as soon as you get your puppy: It begins with socialization, as your puppy will need to get used to be handled by strangers in a fairly intrusive way. Unlike normal people, judges are going to look into the dog¹s mouth and run their hands all over the dog. The dog must learn to allow this and not wiggle out of the judge's grasp. Lots of kind handling and praise from both the owner and strangers will accustom your dog to being examined. Consider seriously finding a good, local trainer to train both you and your dog in any activity you decide to participate in. Remember the Kooikerhondje is a sensitive breed, so select your trainer carefully to ensure the trainer¹s style is suited to your dog. Kooikerhondjes are generally not noisy dogs. A barking Kooikerhondje is usually just trying to get attention or is trying to ward off an interloper. One of the more common complaints is barking at other dogs. This type of barking is based in fear and best way to deal with it is through opportunities to meet little, calm and strange dogs in a relaxed, off-leash environment. Gradually work up to introducing him to larger dogs. If you have children, it is best to obtain a puppy from a litter that has been raised in a family environment. Kooikerhondjes look very sweet and but they can be a bit reserved and they don't like to be handled. Owners should always be watchful of their dogs around children if their dogs have not been conditioned to the noise, commotion and rough handling.

Grooming:
Kooikerhondjes do shed their hair. The first shedding begins when the puppy fur starts to be replaced with adult fur between 3 to 4 months of age. The coat is not difficult to take care of. Regular brushing is all that is needed to maintain the coat and reduce the shedding under control.

Exercise:
Because the Kooikerhondje is primarily a hunting breed, they love outdoor life and need regular exercise to keep them happy. They need to be taken on a daily long walk or jog. Be sure to have a save fenced in yard for this breed. The Kooikerhondje loves to run free, but it is not recommended for them to run free in an unsafe area. They must have a fenced in yard, as they may see an animal and chase it. Traditionally, when not luring ducks into traps, the Kooikerhondje kept watch of premises and busily worked to hunt down rats, moles and mice. For this reason, Kooikerhondjes have an almost tireless need to keep busy and have active minds that require stimulation. The last thing you want is a bored Kooikerhondje. Boredom will drive them to invent "work" and you may not appreciate what they come up with. On the positive side, their keen intelligence and high energy levels allow them excel at agility, obedience and hunting.

Living Condition:
This breed can do okay in an apartment if they have a very active family that takes them out for a lot of exercise, but they do better with more room and a fenced in yard. If they have a small yard they will need to be walked on a lead for more exercise. They love to run outside and check out everything. They have lots of energy, but are quiet in doors. Obedience training is a very good idea. Kooikerhondjes have curious and active minds. They love to check everything out and if they find something fascinating, they tend to zero in on it and ignore everything else, including their owners. It is for this very reason that cars kill so many Kooikerhondjes. Obedience training will help you to have good control over your dog. As a preventative measure, only let your Kooikerhondje off leash in safe areas. A fenced yard is best.

Origin:
The Kooikerhondje is an old Dutch race bred to lure ducks into traps. The Kooikerhondje can be seen in paintings from the 16th and 17th century, but didn't become an official, recognized race until June 18, 1966. Unfortunately, by the end of World War II, when dwindling duck stocks left the Kooikerhondje out of a job, the breed almost became extinct. In all it is thought only 25 Kooikerhondjes were left in existence. In 1939 Baroness Van Hardenbroek van Ammerstol decided to resurrect the little Kooikerhondje. The Baroness lived alone in a very big mansion and was dedicated to her dogs. She was quite an eccentric woman and had her dogs join her for dinner. Each dog sat at her table in it¹s own chair. During WW2 the baroness helped many allied pilots to flee the Germans and used her dogs to guide the men through the woods to the Belgian border. The Baroness was also involved in the rescue of several other Dutch breeds (the Keeshond and the Drentse Patrijshond). In order to rebuild the Kooikerhondje, the Baroness prepared a detailed description of the ideal dog and asked traveling salesmen to look for a dog that fit those criteria. At long last, the her efforts were rewarded when word came back of a bitch named Tommie on a farm in the northern province called Friesland The Baroness went to Friesland, and was delighted to discover that Tommie did indeed fit the description. Fortunately, the farmer, who would not sell Tommie, agreed to lend her to the Baroness for breeding. Tommie was taken to the Baroness's home in Geldrop and the Baroness began her searched for a fitting dog to mate her to. Eventually, she found a suitable dog named Bobbie and he sired Tommie`s first litter. The only surviving pup from that litter was a male and the Baroness named him Bernhard van Walhalla (van Walhalla was the kennel¹s name). In 1943 Tommie had her second litter from a new dog- named Bennie. This litter consisted of 4 bitches, which were named after Tommie and after the little princesses of the Netherlands: Trix, Irene, Margrietje and Tommie 2. (This was quite audacious of the Baroness, since in 1943 the Netherlands were occupied by Nazi-Germany and any reference to the royal family was absolutely forbidden.) The Baroness, as before, searched for suitable males to breed to these bitches and found them mostly on farms and with private families. Tommie was returned to the farm in Friesland when she became too old to have another litter. There she lived out her life until sadly, a harvester accidentally killed her. Eventually, other people became interested in breeding the Kooikerhondje. Using Tommie`s offspring, mongrels who fit the description as well as two dogs of decoyman Bosma they created their perfect dog. In 1966 the raad van Beheer (the Dutch institute that decides whether a breed can become officially recognized or not), decided that a provisional register could be installed. The dogs that passed the judging could be admitted to the register. Nico, great grandson of Margrietje, was the first Kooikerhondje to be admitted to the provisional register and can be found in almost every modern Kooikerhondje`s pedigree. By December 20, 1971, when the Kooikerhondje received its final recognition, a sufficient gene pool had been established. From that moment on no unregistered dogs were allowed to participate in the breeding program.