Does anyone have a Keeshond? I'm thinking of getting one.

[wheelcap]

I did forget to mention that, because it's not a problem anymore. Koby (our current Kees) did have separation anxiety when younger. These dogs LOVE their people so much that they miss them when they're gone. The vet suggested we give him "puppy prozac" for a couple months - which we did. From then on, the dog is OK with our leaving. He knows (hears?) when my wife is driving home as far as a couple blocks away, and starts to dance - then blusters when she comes in the door. The dogs just LOVE their people ... and their people love them!!

 

[Aneille]

Seperation Anxiety - My Kee's had it too. I had completely forgot about it. But when he was a puppy, Ilived at home and at night we didn't crate but he lived in the kitchen. Well, he ate the floor. After he grew up, we never had seperation problems again but he sure did love to be with you. He never left your side. Not just the room, but he'd always lay down so he was touching your leg. And he would smile if your brought him anywhere.

My dog hated water. Liked being near it, would possibly wade in it, but never wanted to swim in it. Well, one day my DH dropped me and my Kees off at a beach in front of my Dad's house. He left the beach in our boat and was going out to moor it. The dog started swimming after him, and whining at the same time. I had to drag him back. He also attempted to climb a mud wall on a river when we went canoeing. This dog had the worst legs. My DH had to literally drag him too safety. He was trying to stay with my DH who was up chasing our other dog who was super nimble and had taken off to explore.



This thread seriously has me considering another one.

 

[KeesFan]

I came across this thread while looking for keeshond items on Google. I have now had 14 Keeshonds in my life (I currently have two) and they are a wonderful breed. I have never had one with separation anxiety. They do love to be with you, and mine follow me everywhere, settling at my feet whenever I sit down. But I can leave them alone in the house with no problem. I do currently have a gated area to leave them where they do not have access to the rest of the house, although with previous dogs I did not have that, but I had no trouble with destruction once they were out of their teenage years. They can be destructive if not given chew-toys and trained as a pup, as can any breed.

I groom mine weekly, one has a low-maintenance coat and she takes 45 minutes, the other has a thicker coat and can take over an hour. I don't bath them, regular brushing keeps them clean. Yes, you will need a vacuum cleaner, but the hair floats on the surface rather than embedding itself in the carpet as other dog hair tends to do.

They can be noisy, but they can also be trained to quiet on command, to a certain extent. Some people are better at training this than others - it is always down to the owner. (I read an article today which said that they can hear a butterfly passing wind at 600 yards and will bark at it! )

They are good for people with allergies because the quality of the fur is different - I have yet to meet anyone with an allergy who has trouble with a keeshond.

I cannot imagine a better companion, or one that is more reliable with children - as long as you go to a reliable breeder and not to a puppy mill or back-yard breeder.

And they are stunningly beautiful dogs as well!

Enjoy!

 

[Chicago526]

A good friend of mine in HS school had one, Max was a great dog!!! Very hyper though, he was 5 or 6 before he really calmed down at all. And he needed brushing almost daily! I never saw him interact with young kids, but my friend had young neices and nephews and I never heard of there being a problem when they came to visit.

 

[momto2girls]

I was raised with Keeshonden! They are the only breed of dog that I will ever own. Growing up, my mother showed them (conformation) and bred them. One of our dogs was amazing. He was ranked #2 in the country at one point.

Over the years, we probably had 15 or so. With the exception of one dog, they were all wonderful. (We found out that the one exception had been abused as a puppy. ) The other dogs were so great! They are incredibly family-friendly and loyal. They were always great with us kids. No problems at all.

I agree with the poster who said that they dump their coats twice a year, but otherwise aren't that hard to take care of. They do NOT have to brushed every day. I would imagine that their coats could get pretty matted if they were primarily outside dogs (not that I'd ever advocate that anyway), but otherwise we typically brushed our dogs about once a week. Their coats don't tend to have a "doggy" smell which is really nice too.

They are known as "alarm" dogs (they originally were used as a watchdog of sorts on barges in Holland). So, they will "sound the alarm" (bark) if anyone comes to the door or comes too close to your house, etc. They definitely see the duty of "protecting the family". But they are all bark and no bite.

I lost my 14 year old Kees last year. She was so wonderful and we all miss her terribly. She was already 7 years old when my first child was born and 10 when my 2nd one was born. She was nothing but wonderful with my children. She watched over them and loved them. She never once so much as growled at them even when they were toddlers and got a fist of her fur. We are still heartbroken over losing her and I am far from ready for another dog. It breaks my heart when we lose them. It is almost too painful for me.

I definitely agree with the others to find a reputable breeder. I wouldn't buy one any other way. A good breeder breeds for temperament and health. So, you at least have a good idea that the puppies are starting out on a good footing. You are lucky to live where you do. There are lots of excellent breeders in your region. I know that Ohio has several. Like a PP said, a reputable breeder will require you to have your puppy spayed or neutered if you aren't planning to show it.

Good luck to you! I'm excited for you. Kees puppies are absolutely adorable little furballs. They are little stinkers, but so intelligent. I found them to be extremely easy to train. Our last dog was trained so quickly using the bell method.