Nederlandse Kooikerhondje
12-15 yrs
20-30 lbs
14-16"
The Netherlands

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Nederlandse Kooikerhondje

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Nederlandse Kooikerhondje

20-30 lbs

14-16"

The Netherlands

Kooiker, Dutch Spaniel, Dutch Decoy Spaniel

Hard to spell but easy to love, the Kooikerhondje — or Nederlandse Kooikerhondje, to give it its full name — is a beautiful and friendly dog who hails from the Netherlands.

In this guide to the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje, you’ll learn everything you need to know about the wonderful breed, including:

That it used to be invaluable in hunting ducks
Its health problems may include patellar luxation, renal dysplasia, and von Willebrand’s Disease
During the Second World War it almost became extinct
Nederlandse Kooikerhondje puppies are quick learners, making them a delight to train

A beautiful, springy dog, the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje is likely to make a perfect companion for a pet parent who has had multiple dogs before, and a pet parent who is about to take the pup plunge for the first time. This rare dog is easy to train, keen to please, and comes with a history that makes it all the more fascinating.

Like all dogs, the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje needs to be loved and cared for. The best way a pet parent can make sure any medical needs are being covered is through pet insurance, which is there to help with costs.

Here, you can use Wag! Compare to quickly analyze the best insurance providers to find the right quote for you and your Nederlandse Kooikerhondje. And, while you’re there, why not consider a wellness plan, which will cover the cost of your pup’s routine vet treatment and checks?

                
                Purpose
              
Sporting

                Date of Origin
              
1500s

                Ancestry

Nederlandse Kooikerhondje Health

Average Size

Height: 15-17 inches Weight: 20-30 lbs

Height: 14-16 inches Weight: 20-30 lbs

Nederlandse Kooikerhondje Breed History

We don’t know precisely when the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje sprang up but we do know that it must have been more than 500 years ago because we see the dog in Dutch paintings from the 16th century.

Bred originally to lure ducks into traps, the dog was an invaluable companion to Dutch hunters (kooikers) in the 1500s and beyond. If they weren’t helping their humans to catch wildfowl they were on the farm, helping to catch vermin.

Legend has it that in 1572 the life of William of Orange, who founded the Dutch monarchy, was saved by a Nederlandse Kooikerhondje who alerted him to the fact that he was going to be assassinated.

Disastrously, during the Second World War the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje nearly went extinct — there were said to be only 25 in existence — and it was only thanks to the work of Baroness van Hardenbroek van Ammerstol that it survived. Recognized by the Dutch Kennel Club in 1971, it’s still a very rare breed in countries like the US and the UK.

Nederlandse Kooikerhondje Breed Appearance

This is a small, cute pup, rather like a spaniel. Orange and white in color (it’s known as the ‘little white and orange dog with a big heart’), a full grown Nederlandse Kooikerhondje stands around 16 inches off the ground.

Its ears tend to be orangey red with black tips and its tail, which is what used to attract ducks, is white and beautifully feathered.

This is a graceful dog with the strong bones of a hunter. Because it isn’t large, it isn’t heavy — the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje’s weight is likely to be in the region of 25 lbs.

Similar breeds to the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje

Have you fallen for the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje and the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje temperament? This is a lovely dog, though you might also be interested to learn more about these breeds, all of whom are similar to this breed:

Nederlandse Kooikerhondje Breed Maintenance

A Kooikerhondje is just as likely to get dirty as any other breed; its belly and feathers can get coated in urine and it’s extremely likely to get muddy on a regular basis. If this happens, wipe it down but don’t feel as though you need to bathe it.

There’s a Dutch saying about the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje: never bathe one unless it has rolled on a dead fish. We wouldn’t advise being quite this strict but this is a clean dog who only needs to be given a bath every once in a while.

A Nederlandse Kooikerhondje’s grooming regime is nothing out of the ordinary. Once a week, make sure you’re brushing your pup’s coat, spreading the oils evenly and ensuring that the hair stays on your brush rather than on your favorite chair. Things like detangling spray and a glove massage brush will make this routine easier for everyone.

Start trimming your Kooikerhondje’s nails more regularly as a puppy so that nail sessions later in life are less stressful for you and for your dog. As an adult, fortnightly trims are probably going to be perfectly fine.

Give them a treat if you think they are particularly anxious about the routine. You should also, of course, be checking and cleaning its ears regularly — ideally weekly at least — and brushing its teeth every few days at the very least to ward off problems with tartare and disease.

Feeding a Nederlandse Kooikerhondje — what’s the best diet?

A Nederlandse Kooikerhondje’s food needs are roughly the same as most dogs, given that the dog is neither extremely large nor extremely small. You ought to be aware, however, that this is a breed that can be prone to obesity if its food intake isn’t managed properly.

Be careful. Make sure you’re feeding it sensible portions and not allowing it to free-feed, which might be more of an option with other breeds.

Make sure that your Nederlandse Kooikerhondje’s food is of the highest quality possible. Make sure there are lots of animal proteins in the ingredients list and you can’t go very wrong.

Do your research and avoid harmful ingredients and things like fillers. If you can afford it, favor dog food brands that are transparent about how they source their ingredients and what goes into each packet. Try, if possible, to avoid giving it scraps from your plates — food tailored to dogs will always be preferable.

And, if you want comprehensive information about the best dog foods out there, check out our friends at Dog Food Advisor — they have in-depth brand reviews that include ingredient analysis, so you know exactly what you’re feeding your pet.

Nederlandse Kooikerhondje Temperament

A Nederlandse Kooikerhondje’s personality is a delight. This is an intelligent, active and alert dog that would be as good for a first-time pet parent as a veteran.

Because it’s also a quick learner, it will be pretty easy to train. Use positive reinforcement training early and consistently if you want to see great results.

We would always advise socializing the dog early so that it’s as friendly as possible around animals and humans of all ages. It may be wary of strangers and unlikely to approach them in public spaces. Don’t worry if this is the case; the dog is likely to be loving and affectionate with friends and family.

Nederlandse Kooikerhondje Activity Requirements

Of course, being a dog who used to be used almost exclusively as an animal who could lure or catch other animals, the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje loves a good run-around and is strong, agile and alert.

Make sure you take it for walks and runs whenever you can. It will need around an hour’s exercise a day, which is not a small amount at all. This is a dog that’s likely to get you putting your running shoes on more than ever before. It’s also a dog that needs mental exercise as much as physical, so it responds extremely well to activities like flyball or tracking.

Don’t give this dog enough exercise and, like most dogs, it is quite likely to become a pain around the house, tearing up some of your precious belongings if left unattended.

Now you’re all clued up on the particulars of the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje , we recommend that you educate yourself on how much it will cost to look after one over the years that it will be in your care.

Here, you can compare the best insurance providers to find the right quote for you and your dog. And, while you’re there, why not consider a wellness plan, which will cover the cost of your pup’s routine vet treatment and checks?

Written by Ralph Jones

Published: 09/09/2024, edited: 10/08/2024

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