Dutch Smoushond

It is unknown exactly when the Dutch Smoushond was developed or what breeds contributed their DNA to the gene pool. Some believe that the German Schnauzer had a strong influence on the breed. One theory about the German Schnauzer and the Dutch Smoushond is that the Germans largely favored the salt and pepper or black Schnauzers and any yellow Schnauzers born were euthanized. It is said that a Dutch merchant with a big heart began buying these unwanted yellow Schnauzers. He took them back to Amsterdam and advertised them as valuable and unique since the Dutch saw the yellow or orange color as being royal. Another theory is that because he was used extensively for hundreds of years as a vermin hunter, many people believe that the Dutch Smoushond’s ancestry goes back to local terriers of unknown origins. In the late 1800s he was noticed by many gentlemen within the nobility and became more of a gentleman’s companion rather than an actual ratter. His name is as unique as the dog, the Dutch word Smouzen means Jewish man because of the long beard and wiry hair of the dog resembled the Orthodox or Hasidic Jewish man. In 1905 the Hollandse Smoushond Club formed to honor the breed. During World War II many dog breeds suffered and the Dutch Smoushond was no exception. In 1940 the Netherlands were invaded by the German Nazis and all professional dog breeding stopped during the German occupation. Dogs were killed or they were abandoned to die of disease or starvation. When the war ended, the Dutch Smoushond was on the verge of extinction. His numbers were very low but enough breeding stock did survive. Those dogs were used to revive the breed and in the 1970s Mrs. Barkman took on the task of restoring the breed to his former glory. Mrs. Barkman used a rather eclectic group of dogs mixed together to recreate the breed. While there are varying reactions to her breeding practices and much debate on whether the remaining Dutch Smoushonds were actually used in her breeding program, she did produce dogs that closely resembled the Dutch Smoushond. Mrs. Barkman did not keep good records but it is known that the Poodle, Brussels Griffon, Border Terrier and German Schnauzer were used to make the Dutch Smoushond a healthier, hardier breed. In 1977 the Dutch Kennel Club accepted the Dutch Smoushond into its registry.