Kooikerhondje

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20-24 lbs
14-15"
Netherlands
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Nederlandse Kooikerhondje, Kooiker
The Kooikerhondje, pronounced COY-ker-HUND-che, is a red and white Spaniel type dog. He has a lot of energy and loves to play and participate in dog sports such as barn hunts, dock diving, lure coursing and agility. Unlike other high energy dogs, the Kooikerhondje will adapt his energy levels to that of his family. He bonds quickly with his family and gets along well with cats and children. He does have a high prey drive so he should be watched closely with small pets such as ferrets, hamsters and birds. He can live comfortably in a condo or on a sprawling farm.
Purpose
Trapping, Companion
Date of Origin
16th century
Ancestry
Spaniel

Kooikerhondje Health

Average Size
Male Kooikerhondje size stats
Height: 15-16 inches Weight: 20-24 lbs
Female Kooikerhondje size stats
Height: 14-15 inches Weight: 20-24 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Von Willebrand's Disease
  • Kooiker Paralysis
  • Polymyositis
Minor Concerns
  • Distichiasis
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Pateller Luxation
Occasional Diagnoses
  • Epilepsy
  • Kidney Disease
Occasional Tests
  • OFA
  • X-Rays
  • Physical Examination
  • Genetic Tests

Kooikerhondje Breed History

The Kooikerhondje is a Dutch duck dog. He was bred to lure ducks into a trap to be either banded for research or collected for the market. He was also used to hunt small vermin around the home when he was working duck. He hunts ducks in enclosures called eendenkoois which are built along the canals and wetlands in the Netherlands. He has to be a hardy, smart dog to be able to lure ducks into the eendenkoois. It is believed that the Kooikerhondje is closely related to the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. There is evidence of the Kooikerhondje or dogs resembling him in Dutch artwork dating back to the 16th century. Despite this evidence, the Netherlands did not officially recognize the Kooikerhondje until 1971. The Kooikerhondje was almost extinct during World War II but thanks to a few dedicated fanciers of the breed, he has rebounded and slowly spread throughout the world. Today, not many kooikerhondjes are able to perform the work they were originally bred to do. Most kooikerhondjes today are being bred to be well-rounded family companions. They still are athletic and energetic, making them excellent dogs for children and dog sports such as agility, dock diving and lure coursing. The Kooikerhondje Society of America and Kooikerhondje Club of the USA have become the two parent clubs of the breed and are working to get the Kooikerhondje recognized by the American Kennel Club. In 2004, he became eligible to be registered through the AKC’s Foundation Stock Service which is the first step in becoming recognized by the AKC.

Kooikerhondje Breed Appearance

The Kooikerhondje is a proud dog and when he moves, he holds his head high and his tail is carried level with his topline. He is red parti-colored or orange-red parti-colored, any other color is not acceptable. He can have slight black tipping on his ears, but only near the tips of the ears. The patches of red or orange-red should be distinct. His chest and belly should be pure white with no freckling or ticking. There can be a few spots on his legs and muzzle but not so many that they detract from his look. His coat is medium length should be close lying to his body. The coat can be straight or have a slight wave; however it should never be curly. His topcoat is weather resistant and soft in texture. The front legs should have a moderate amount of feathering and the hind legs should have enough feathering to form “breeches” or “skirts” with no feathering below the hock joint. His tail should have significant feathering on the underside.
Eye Color Possibilities
brown Kooikerhondje eyes
Brown
Nose Color Possibilities
black Kooikerhondje nose
Black
Coat Color Possibilities
red Kooikerhondje coat
Red
Coat Length
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
Kooikerhondje straight coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Kooikerhondje Breed Maintenance

The Kooikerhondje has a medium length coat that is soft to touch and straight or slightly wavy. He does have feathering on his legs, ears and tail that can easily tangle or mat. Brushing is necessary once or twice a week to remove any loose or dead hair and prevent tangles. Since he has a softer coat, it is best to spray his coat with a leave-in conditioner that is dog approved. This will prevent excessive hair breakage. Some leave-in conditioners also have a detangler which helps keep tangles easy to brush out. Brush him using a pin brush and use a metal comb on any tangles. By keeping him brushed at least once a week, it will reduce the amount of hair that is found floating through the air. Kooikerhondje do shed year round, but they experience heavy seasonal shedding twice a year. Since he is a water dog, he does not require many full baths. He will need to have his coat rinsed with freshwater when he has been in a pool, lake or pond.
Brushes for Kooikerhondje
Pin Brush
Comb
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
Kooikerhondje requires weekly brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Kooikerhondje Temperament

The Kooikerhondje is an intelligent, high energy dog. But is an easily adaptable dog and will adjust to your energy level. He is easy to train and tries to please his owner. It is important that all family members participate in his training so he sees each family member as having authority over him. Most Kooikerhondje have never met a stranger and love people, but there are some who are very cautious of strangers and do not easily warm up to them. Early socialization is necessary to ensure that he accepts all kinds of people. He is a vocal dog and will sound the alarm if someone is on or near their property. Generally not a nuisance barker, he can become a problem if left alone in the back yard for too long. He can also become destructive if he does not have a job to do or plenty of toys.

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Kooikerhondje Owner Experiences

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