Eens een Kees, altijd een Kees.

De great grey Keeshond

History

The Dutch Keeshond has its origin, by the peat– and swampdogs. In Switserland are fossil remains found of these dogs, they were dated approximately 4000 years BC. The same fossil remains were also found in Nord– and South Europe.

In the early middle ages, you could find the Keeshond on the stamp of the city of Amsterdam (Sigillum Oppidi Amstelodamensis). This stamp you can see in the library of the Yale University, New Haven, V.S.. On this stamp you see a keeshond depicted, that is curious looking over the railing from a boat.

The reason why you can’t find the Keeshond, after that time almost nowhere on pictures and paintings , lies in the fact that the owners of the Keeshond, mostly where normal people, that didn’t had the money for such luxerary. You saw the Keeshond only on the banners of the patriots and by some political parties.

In 1790 wrote an unknown writer in the Netherlands the First book about the Keeshond, this book is named; Cases of the Keeshond in the Netherlands. The Keeshonden in that time where used for the monitoring of heritage and goods, also he where often seen on tow barges. This led to the following nicknames; Schippers Kees and Captain. In the end of 1800, You saw the Keeshond, in the Netherlands for the First time on an exhibition.

Today The Keeshond mainly used for housedog. On farms you don’t see them much more; the place of the Keeshond as watchdog is now taken over by the German Shepherd.

Unfortunately is the "real" Keeshond in the Netherlands threatened with extinction, the most breeders in our country, crosses the Keeshond, mostly with the Wolfspitz. The optical differences between the Keeshond and the Wolfspitz are clearly seen.

 

(source; The Keeshond and the "Dwarf Keeshond" > A.L.J. Vos-Treskens en S. van Heemert)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DESCRIPTION

The Keeshond is an old Dutch dog. his colors are light and dark grey. The tail and legs belong to be light grey. The hind must be well hooked and the advance must be strait under the chest. The hairline head till hull must be flowing through. A serious mistake  by the Keeshond is an "apple head", he must be have an "fox head" . Only the smaller German Spitzen must have an "apple head".

The ear has to be start on the top of the head. The tail must be lie tiled and curled on the back, also he has to set high on the back. De Keeshond belongs to be sqaure, about as long as high. The rate for females  is  between 43 and 48 cm., and males between 48 en 55 cm.

 

The Keeshond will always follow you and watching what you are doing. He is very inquisitive and indipendent. Also he shall  always protect you through thick and thin.

A few years ago, began the discussion were The Keeshond was coming from. Because there wasn’t a  recognized breeding club in the netherlands in the early 60’s, the F.C.I. asked the German Spitzen Club for a standard of the Keeshond. In Germany they had the race Wolfspitz what looked very much like the Keeashond. That’’s why the F.C.I. now says that the Keeshond comes from Germany. However, there is no proof that the Keeshond is coming from Germany. For Dutch origin, there is enough  evidence, on City seals, banners  and such attributes  from the beginning of the era.

Halfway 1998 there was a big change for the Keeshond, The F.C.I. confessed bekende eindelijk the existence of the Keeshond, so the origin of the Netherlands. This was for the "real" lovers of Keeshonden a big triomph. Now it’s possible to write in the Keeshond in Belgium, Luxemburg, France and Germany on an exhibition as Keeshond, as it belongs to..

According the history and the F.C.I., is The Keeshond a Dutch Nederlands race.

 

(source; The Keeshond and the "Dwarf Keeshond" > A.L.J. Vos-Treskens en S. van Heemert)