W
hat follows are some of the most frequently asked questions here at Cari-On Kennels by prospective puppy buyers as well as some questions that should be asked. You may view each question in order by scrolling down the page or you may go directly to those questions which interest you the most by selecting from the list below:Do Keeshonds need to be brushed a lot?
Are Keeshonds Hypo-Allergenic?
Do Keeshonds smell bad or need a lot of baths?
Besides the obvious, what is the difference between a male and female Keeshond?
How much does a Keeshond puppy cost?
What is the difference between "pet quality" and "show quality"?
How long do Keeshonds generally live?
Do Keeshonds need a big yard or lots of exercise?
What if I work all day, is that a problem?
Are Keeshonds expensive to own?
Can a Keeshond live happily in the Desert?
Would it be okay to shave my Keeshond?
Didn't find your question on this list? Feel free to Email us your
questions and we will do our best to get you the answers you seek.
If you still think the Keeshond is the right breed for you, try out the kennel tour. From the kennel map you will find links to detailed information on the breed and resources for locating a breeder, training, grooming and caring for your new Keeshond. If this is not the breed for you, the American Kennel Club's home page is a good place to research other purebred dogs.
Question: How big
do Keeshonds get?
Answer: As big as you'll let them. How
big should they get? Well, a typical female will be about 17 inches high at the shoulder
and weigh between 32 and 35 pounds. The typical Keeshond male will be 18 inches at the
shoulder and weigh between 42 and 45 pounds. Since most Keeshonds love to eat, it is
important to watch your dog's intake as the extra pounds are no more healthy for them than
they are for us. Return
Question: Do
Keeshonds shed?
Answer: All dogs shed, some more than
others. The Keeshond coat is unique. It consists of a thick, rather wooly undercoat and an
outer coat of guard hairs. The undercoat is very light gray to warm cream in color and the
guard hairs are actually banded or "agouti" colored hairs with bands of color
ranging from light gray or cream to black. It is this combination that gives the breed its
unique coloration and markings. The coat is actually referred to as fur on a Keeshond
which is different to hair as found on other breeds such as Labrador Retrievers or
Dalmatians. The coat on a Keeshond is constantly rotating to some degree and as such there
will always be some shedding, although not to the same degree as that found on dogs with
hair. However, twice a year for females and once a year for males, the Keeshond
"blows" its coat. At this time, most of the undercoat dies off and either falls
out, or more likely, requires brushing to remove it. The dog which has blown coat looks
significantly smaller, thinner and less impressive. Keeshond owners describe their dogs as
being "naked" at this time. Most of the outer guard hairs remain. Once all of
the old undercoat is blown and removed from the dog's body, a new undercoat comes in and
once again the dog sports a spectacular full coat.
Fortunately, the undercoat, because of its unique texture, is very easy
to pick up. Unlike stiff hairs found on other breeds which can embed themselves into
clothing and carpeting, the Keeshond's fur tends to form easily picked up "tumble
weeds". You can find more information on this subject at the Keeshond
Coat page. Return
Question: How
often does a Keeshond need to be brushed?
Answer: Done properly, once every two
weeks for an adult dog is quite adequate. Proper grooming requires about an hour to an
hour and a half to groom all the way to the skin. It is important to learn proper grooming
technique because it is very easy to just brush the outer guard hairs so that the dog
looks good, but if the undercoat is not groomed out properly, eventually the undercoat
will mat and die and the dog may acquire skin problems. If you buy your Keeshond from a
reputable breeder they should be more than happy to show you how to groom your Keeshond
properly. During the "blow", a Keeshond should be groomed once or twice a week
to facilitate rapid removal of the dead undercoat. Other factors can also affect the
frequency of grooming. Dogs which spend a lot of time out-of-doors, romp with other dogs,
or swim regularly will need to be groomed more often than a couch potato.
A text and pictorial demonstration of how to
groom a Keeshond may be found by going to this site. Return
Question: I Have
Allergies, Are Keeshonds Hypo-Allergenic?
Answer: Because the Keeshond has fur
rather than hair, many people with allergies to dog hair have found they can live quite
comfortably with a Keeshond. However, I would strongly suggest that you visit a Keeshond
breeder and spend enough time there, playing with the dogs, to determine if you are one of
these lucky people. Return
Question: Do
Keeshonds smell bad or need frequent bathing?
Answer: No! One of the neatest
things about the Keeshond's fur coat is that if properly cared for through routine
brushing, it does not get the doggy odor normally associated with breeds that have hair.
If the dog is generally kept indoors, a bath once or twice a year may be all that is
called for. If the coat gets a little mud on it, simply let the mud dry and then brush it
out. The fact that the Keeshond does not take on a doggy odor makes it an ideal house pet
as it will never smell up your furniture or carpet the way most other breeds can.
When you do bathe a Keeshond, provided the weather is reasonable, you
can simply let the dog shake and air dry. Because of the undercoat's naturally wooly
texture, it does not retain a great deal of water and air dries rather
quickly. Return
Question: Besides
size are there any other differences between a male and a female Keeshond?
Answer: For intact dogs (males) and
bitches (females) there are a number of differences. Dogs will have a much bigger, more
profuse coat, especially in the area around the neck, called the "mane". As a
result, males require more of a grooming effort. Bitches coats will not be as big or
impressive and may be slightly softer. Dogs will hike their legs numerous times in order
to "mark" territory and generally kill off perimeter plants while females will
squat, get all their business done in one place and kill your lawn. Females will come in
season roughly once every 6 or 7 months and at this time will show a bloody discharge
which can stain furniture and carpeting. Males will tend to be aggressive towards other
males at times, especially if a bitch in season is anywhere nearby. Males will tend to be
more friendly towards females than you might like. Oversexed males have been known to find
rather embarrassing ways to amuse themselves. A female in season is just as interested in
breeding as an intact male is in accommodating her.
Of course many of the drawbacks associated with either sex go away when the animal is neutered. Neutering is a term that applies to either sex and refers to removing the testicles in the male or the ovaries in a female thereby rendering the animal incapable of procreation. The more specific term for neutering a male animal is "castration" and for a females it is called "spaying". A neutered male will not be nearly as interested in marking territory or meeting females. The coat will be more profuse and somewhat softer, this is true for both sexes. A neutered female will not have a season or a discharge. Neutered animals of either sex tend to be less stressed and more affectionate as they no longer have sex on their minds. The biggest benefit of all to neutering your male or female Keeshond is the elimination of the possibility of the animal contracting testicular (males) or ovarian (females) cancer. Additionally, as a responsible pet owner you are doing your part to help the pet overpopulation problem.
Other than what has already been mentioned, there are few differences
between the sexes and choosing is a matter of personal preference. However, if you already
have one dog you will want to see the question on how a Keeshond will get along with your
other dog(s). Return
Question: How
much does a Keeshond puppy cost?
Answer: Of course, the cost of
anything is somewhat dependent upon supply and demand, hence pricing can vary from region
to region. But generally speaking, a male puppy costs around $450-$600 and a female
$550-$700. These prices are for a healthy, well-bred Keeshond puppy from a reputable
breeder. Some breeders may charge more for a "show quality" puppy. Pet shop
puppies will often cost more for significantly poorer quality and additional health risks.
Pet shop puppies are acquired through puppy mills or puppy brokers. Most pet shops are now required to display the name of the supplier from whence the puppy came. If you walk down the row of cages you will see many puppies came from the same place even though they are all different breeds. This is a puppy mill. A puppy mill produces many dogs every year to supply to pet shops. Most of their breeding stock spends its entire life in crates, cages or small runs and receives very little human interaction. Generally the breeder knows very little if anything about the genetic background of any of his breeding stock having acquired his stock from other brokers, local pounds and backyard breeders. Additionally, these puppies are often shipped at a very young age, before the puppy has had adequate littermate/dam interaction, or at a critical developmental period, and the experience may permanently affect the puppy's ability to socially interact with people or other dogs in a healthy manner. These puppies may be purebred, but they most likely are not well-bred. There is a difference. Pet shops and puppy millers make their money off impulse buying. It is very hard for people to resist the cute little puppy in the cage that needs to be rescued. The puppy millers and pet shops count on this as buying that puppy will create a new space which they can immediately fill with another. Resist the urge to rescue this puppy, hopefully some day there will no longer be a market for these people.
Another source of puppies is called the "Backyard Breeder" or BYB as he is often referred to on the Internet. However, not every individual who has only one or two dogs and chooses to breed a litter at home is a true backyard breeder. A backyard breeder sells puppies generally, but not always, at a significantly lower than market price. A real backyard breeder is not any better than a puppy miller. A real backyard breeder knows little if anything about the genetic background of his dogs. He probably hasn't bothered to compete with his dogs to demonstrate how well they conform to the breed standard. He probably isn't even familiar with the Breed Standard. He probably doesn't have a pedigree for the puppies that goes back several generations or if he does he probably cannot quote you the names of the dogs without looking at the pedigree. He knows very little if anything about the parents of the puppies sire or dam. He most likely owns both parents of the litter and these may be his only dogs. He most likely has not gone through any extra expense in producing the litter, such as testing the parents for common disorders in the breed, x-raying the hips for dysplasia on both parents, removing the dew claws from the puppies or vaccinating and worming the puppies. The backyard breeder is probably not a member of any breed organization, is probably not familiar with common breed disorders, the breed history, or even how to correctly pronounce "Keeshond" and probably does not offer any kind of contract or guarantee on his puppies, verbal or written. He probably also will not ask you any questions in order to ascertain whether or not you have the knowledge or ability to properly care for the puppy he is about to sell you. His primary motivation is most likely money.
We always explain to our clients, a couple of truisms when it comes to buying a puppy, first, you generally get what you pay for, and second, the least expensive part of owning a dog is the purchase price. One trip to the vet can more than offset any money saved by buying a poorly bred puppy from a backyard breeder.
One of the main reasons people buy purebred dogs is that presumably the
characteristics of the dog will be predictable. In the case of a backyard-bred or
puppy-mill-bred puppy, this may not be true. If you cannot afford the cost of a well-bred
puppy from a reputable breeder, ask yourself whether or not you can even afford to care
for a dog at all. If you still insist you want a dog, but do not want to pay what it costs
for a well-bred puppy, then consider adopting
a rescue Keeshond. Please do not contribute to puppy millers and backyard
breeders. Return
Question: What Is
The Difference Between a Show Quality and a Pet Quality Puppy?
Answer: Sometimes nothing. We at
Cari-On place primary importance on seeing that any puppy we don't keep goes to the best
home possible. We do not charge any extra for a "show quality" puppy. Generally
the difference between show and pet is rather minor and the average pet owner cannot tell
the difference. It may be as minor as some tawny color (brownish tinge) to the coat which
the breeder is striving to eliminate from the line, or heavier penciling (darker
coloration) on the feet than the breeder would like to see. It may be bigger ears or a
lighter eye. The puppy may be cow-hocked (hocks turn inward) or slightly high in the rear.
These imperfections should in no way affect the puppy's health or suitability as a
companion. A reputable breeder should be willing, if asked, to tell you why he/she
considers a particular puppy to be a pet rather than a show prospect. Beware the breeder
that tells you all his/her puppies are show quality, in 25 years of successful breeding
here at Cari-On we have never had a 100% show quality litter.
One additional word of caution, be aware of the fact that a
"show" puppy needs a certain type of temperament suitable to the stresses and
demands of the show ring. A show puppy will generally be a higher energy puppy, the more
dominant puppy in the litter, and a bit more independent. Such a puppy may not be suitable
for a home unequipped for the demands such a puppy may place on its owners. Before you
request that the breeder provide you with a show quality puppy, be sure you are prepared
for this possibility. More information on locating a "Reputable" breeder
and picking a puppy can be found on these
pages. Return
Question: What Is
The Typical Lifespan Of A Keeshond?
Answer: A healthy well-bred Keeshond
can be expected to live between 12 and 15 years on the average. Unlike puppy millers and
backyard breeders who primarily look upon breeding litters as a business venture designed
to make money, a reputable breeder is breeding for himself. He/she is looking for that
next great show or obedience prospect. As a result, the reputable breeder is more likely
to only use healthy, quality stock which he/she feels has the best potential for producing
that next great dog he/she will want to keep and care for and live with. So, it stands to
reason, that on the whole, the chances for acquiring a healthy, well-bred, long-lived
puppy will be greater if acquired from a reputable breeder breeding for himself, than it
will be if the puppy is purchased from a source whose entire intent is to sell all of his
product to realize maximum money-making potential. Enough
said! Return
Question: I have
children, is this a suitable breed for us?
Answer: Absolutely! I cannot
think of a breed more suited to families than a Keeshond. That said, it is important to
keep in mind a couple of very important factors when it comes to dogs and children,
especially small children. First, young, exuberant dogs of any breed are going to be
capable of knocking a child down from time to time. Young puppies, especially teething
puppies can be very mouthy. It will be up to you to decide if your child is ready for a
puppy and if you are prepared to supervise the experience. You need to be confident in
your ability to teach the puppy proper social behavior around both adults and children.
You will also need to teach your children how to correctly handle a puppy and how to
correctly interpret a dog's body language. Children need to be taught that just because
the family dog is good with them doesn't mean that all dogs are good dogs. They also need
to be taught that even the family dog needs a nap and some time to itself and there are
certain signals the dog sends out that say "Please don't mess with me right now, I'm
very tired". Children need to be taught humane handling and proper respect for
animals. I have seen few breeds exhibit the patience and sensitivity and dignity with
which the Keeshond deals with the pokings and prodding's so commonplace with small
children. The huge coat affords the breed a certain amount of protection, but I believe it
is the breed's natural and genuine love for children that carries the most weight.
One additional word of caution when young children are involved, choose
very carefully any dog you buy for a family with kids. A well-bred puppy with a
predictable temperament is well worth any additional expense over a dog from the pound or
a backyard breeder. If you choose to get an adult dog, go through a well-managed rescue
organization where each dog is carefully analyzed for its suitability for placement in a
home with children. Don't take a chance with your children and don't put them through the
pain of bonding with a dog that later turns out to be unsafe and untrustworthy and has to
be removed from the home. Return
Question: Do
Keeshonds need a lot of exercise or a big yard?
Answer: Actually not. Having
been bred for life on a barge and later as a companion dog, the Keeshond has learned well
how to be happy in a relatively small amount of space. Keeshonds are well-suited to life
in the house, in fact they prefer it. Being a companion breed it is absolutely essential
that they be allowed to be an integral part of your life. They will insist on being
involved in every aspect of your daily routine. If you are gone for long periods of time
you will need to have the necessary facilities for safekeeping the dog until you return.
This will generally mean a fenced in area where the dog may find shade and shelter from
the elements and where the dog can relieve itself, find food and water. The area could be
as small as an enclosed kitchen, but until your puppy is old enough to hold it for several
hours, be prepared to clean up messes upon your return. No puppy should be allowed free
run of your house until you are absolutely certain it is completely house trained and
trustworthy.
Because the Keeshond is a companion dog we tell our clients that the breed does not do well if left unattended in the yard for hours on end with little or no contact with his family. Their natural propensity as warning barkers and their inventiveness when bored will only get them, and you, into trouble. If you do not plan on spending quality family time with your Keeshond, in the house, on a daily basis, you should consider a different breed as they will become nuisance barkers and possibly destructive. If you are the kind of person who likes having their dog in the house, on the couch or bed, in the kitchen while you are cooking or in the car while you are out and about, then this is the perfect breed for you. If you simply want a yard dog for protection, consider a more independent working breed.
With regards to exercise, every dog benefits from some exercise,
whether it be a nice walk or a game of "fetch the ball". The Keeshond does not
require a great deal of exercise and as they get older many tend to become very lazy if
you allow them to. For your own health as well as the dog's, plan on at least a nice daily
walk. If you are a very active person, don't fret, Keeshonds can be very accommodating, as
I said before, they love to be with you. If allowed to join you on whatever sort of outing
you choose, your Keeshond will amuse you with his happy-go-lucky, vibrant love for life
attitude. The Keeshond however is not generally considered to be the breed of choice for
long distance runners. If you are into marathons and you are looking for a running
companion you may want to consider a German Shorthaired Pointer
instead. Return
Question: I work
all day, is a Keeshond a bad idea for my kind of work schedule?
Answer: Most of us have jobs that
require us to be away from home for 9 hours or more every day. That doesn't mean you can't
have a dog. But, you must be committed enough to spend quality time with your dog when you
are home...your Keeshond will demand it. The important thing is that the dog's comfort and
safety are completely provided for while you are gone and that you are prepared to give
the dog the attention he requires when you get home. For most dog owners coming home is
the best part of the day, especially when their best friend is always so happy to see
them. However, if your work days are excessively long and you generally come home tired
and stressed and the last thing you feel like doing is cleaning up puppy messes or being
jumped on and kissed, perhaps a cat would better fit your lifestyle. Those of you lucky
enough to work out of the home, a Keeshond will be a great officemate and he will let you
know when it's time for a coffee break or Keesie break...or is that Kissie
break? Return
Question: Do
Keeshonds Like To Travel?
Answer: Absolutely! They like to do
anything you do, by car, by train, by boat and by plane. Just be sure that you take the
same considerations for your Keeshond's safety as you would for a child. The safest way
for any dog to travel is in a crate. The next safest is with a safety belt designed for
dogs. Don't let your Keeshond ride loose in your car. If you were in an accident, even if
your Keeshond did not go flying out the window on impact, chances are he would be very
frightened and if someone were to open the car door to offer assistance, your Keeshond
would probably bolt, right out onto the open road, in a panic. A couple years back a
commercial jet crashed in South America, the only survivor was a dog in a
crate. Return
Question: I have
a swimming pool, do Keeshonds like to swim?
Answer: Some do and some don't. A lot
depends on when and how you introduce a dog to water. Generally speaking the younger the
dog and the more comfortable the experience, the more likely the dog is going to become a
regular swimmer. If the dog is older, the water is cold, or the bottom drops off too
rapidly or is very scary for the dog to walk on, chances are the experience will not be
good and the dog won't have a good time or wish to do it again sometime.
Keep in mind that young puppies do not have good depth perception or
the understanding of the dangers of a swimming pool. Do not allow your puppy to be in the
proximity of the pool unsupervised, lest he should fall in and drown. As soon as practical
you should teach your Keeshond how to swim to the steps and climb out on his own should he
ever end up in the pool by himself. Keep in mind too that some dogs find this to be great
fun. Some clients of ours have a puppy that gets up at 2am to go for a dip by letting
himself through the doggie door. Later, he comes back into bed, sopping
wet! Return
Question: How
much will it cost me per year to own a Keeshond?
Answer: Fortunately, for the most
part, the Keeshond is a breed with relatively few health problems. While no breed or
specific line of dogs is completely problem-free, the Keeshond is probably somewhere
nearer the bottom of the list for health maintenance costs. Some of the problems known to
exist in the breed are Hip Dysplasia, Patellar Subluxation (slipping stifles), Von
Willebrand's Disease (VWD - a sort of doggie hemophilia - bleeding disorder), Epilepsy,
Disticchiasis (hairs on the inner eyelid irritate the eye causing tearing), Hypothyroidism
(thyroid is under-active), Hyperthyroidism (Thyroid is over active), and various other
auto-immune deficiency disorders (problems which compromise the animal's ability to ward
off diseases and handle stresses to the body).
If you buy a puppy from a source that is not familiar with the genetic line behind the animal, or from a less than honest individual, you run a much higher risk of buying a dog with one of these problems. If you buy from a reputable breeder and you ask questions about the health history of the animals behind your prospective puppy's pedigree, you will have progressed a long way towards minimizing that risk. When it comes to a potential 15 year commitment, the couple hundred extra dollars you might spend buying a healthy puppy from a reputable breeder might be the wisest form of risk management decision you ever made.
Keep in mind however, even today we still don't know everything there is to know about genetics and how to control the outcome of any breeding. A breeder can do their very best to select nothing but the healthiest of animals for breeding generation after generation and still have a problem crop up. It is simply a fact of nature, the disorders we have the most problems with eliminating are the ones that are recessive in their mode of inheritance. This means a line of dogs could go on for generations and generations without ever showing a problem and then suddenly, just the right combination comes along and the problem appears. Many of these very same problems are not visible in an eight week old puppy. In fact, the majority may not show up until the dog is at least 2 years old. Some problems are not seen until the dog is seven or eight years old. The best thing you can do is hope to minimize the risk with the puppy you select. Beware the breeder that tells you there has never been any problem of any kind in their line, they either are lying to you, or they haven't really bred a line. It takes many years and many litters to develop a "line" of dogs.
Given that you have selected wisely a healthy, well-bred Keeshond, then you can expect the following type of annual health-related costs: Annual vaccination $20-$40 depending on your vet, Rabies Vaccination (first one is good for 1 year, after that it's once every 3 years)$20, Spay or Castrate $60-$120 depending on age and weight of the animal (sooner is cheaper), Teeth Cleaning $45-$100 depending upon procedure and vet, and Program or Advantage monthly flea repellent $10-$15. If for any reason your pet ends up with a health problem these costs can skyrocket.
Other costs associated with pet ownership are of course dog food, roughly one 40lb bag will last an adult Keeshond 5-6 weeks depending upon the size and activity level of the dog and the quality of the food. A good quality food will actually cost less to feed in the long run. A good quality food is generally only available through pet shops or veterinarians. A 40 pound bag will cost about $32. The only other big expense associated with keeping a Keeshond is grooming. If you choose to do it yourself, then the expense is simply the cost of supplies such as a slicker brush, a comb, nail trimmers, scissors to trim feet and hocks and a good shampoo for the occasional bath. If you choose to pay someone else to groom the dog expect to pay $30 and upwards depending upon the quality of the job. We charge $45 to completely brush an adult dog out to the skin (1-1 1/2 hours), trim feet and nails, bathe, dry and then brush out again. A Keeshond should never be bathed without first completely grooming it out, as wetting an ungroomed Keeshond causes an already matted undercoat to become worse yet.
These would be the required and customary expenses associated with
owning a Keeshond. Add to that any supplies you will need (leash, collar, bowls, crate,
crate pad, pooper scooper, as well as toys and treats) and you pretty much have
it. Return
Question: I have
a cat, do Keeshonds get along with cats?
Answer: Probably the more correct
question to ask would be - does your cat get along with Keeshonds.
Most
Keeshonds are quite fun loving and anything that runs must want to be chased...right? If
your cat is the kind that will stand its ground, you shouldn't have anything to be
concerned about, she'll put the dog in its place. If she is more the timid type, your
puppy might decide to chase her in an attempt to play. We have found that given their own
space and time, they will come to some sort of agreement as to how things are going to be
in the house. If you opt to buy an older dog, inquire as to whether or not the dog has
been introduced to cats and if it will be okay. But for a puppy I wouldn't be too
concerned, just allow them to meet each other on their own terms. The bigger problem will
be keeping your Keeshond out of the cat's food as cat's food always tastes better than the
dog's food, and so does the stuff in the litter box....yuck,
huh? Return
Question: Will a
Keeshond get along with my other dog(s)?
Answer: Being a rather social breed,
the Keeshond tends to get along with most anything. If your other dogs are very different
from Keeshonds the new Keeshond may initially bark at and distrust the other dog as our
Kees all seem to posses very strong self-recognition. They recognize Keeshonds immediately
but come to regard most other breeds, especially short-haired spotted ones, as being
different and possibly not dogs. With a puppy the adjustment period is fairly quick
although the older dogs may soon tire of the puppy's pestering. If acquiring an older dog,
be sure to inquire about its suitability for a household with other pets. It has been our
experience that opposite sexes, even in neutered animals, seem to get along better with
fewer squabbles than same sexes. Next would be two neutered males, then two spayed
females, then two intact males provided there isn't an intact bitch to fight over, and
last would be two intact bitches. Provided you and all your family members are always the
top dogs in your house you really shouldn't have any problem with any of these
combinations. Keep in mind that opposite sexes where both are intact animals is always
going to be a problem when the bitch comes in
season. Return
Question: I live
in the desert, can a dog with that much coat live comfortably there?
Answer: The Keeshond's coat acts as an
insulator, protecting the dog from both the Winter's cold and damp as well as the Summer's
heat. Keeshonds, as does any breed, actually do better in dry desert heat than in highly
humid heat, yet there are numerous Keeshonds living happily in Houston, Texas, Louisiana
and Florida. No dog can be comfortable left in a hot car or in direct sunlight. If you
provide your Keeshond shelter from the elements, shade from the sun and plenty of fresh
water he will do just fine. Keeshonds, like other dogs, exchange heat through panting,
through the tiny veins in their ears and through the pads of their feet. You might find
your Keeshond pants more than other shorthaired breeds, this is perfectly normal. You will
find that given the choice, your Keeshond may lay next to the air conditioner or sprawled
out in the bathtub or on the tile floor during the hotter times of the
year. Return
Question: Can I
shave my Keeshond down for the Summer?
Answer: You can, but it really isn't
necessary. If you are shaving the dog in an effort to make it more comfortable, keep in
mind the fact that the coat actually serves as a protective insulator from all the
elements including the Sun's rays. If you shave the dog, remember to leave at least enough
coat to protect the dog from sunburn. Additionally keep the following considerations in
mind: First, shaving the coat will often affect the texture of the next coat that grows
in, it will probably be softer and more likely to mat. Second, the Keeshond is a very
proud dog and we have found that without their full mane and tail, they tend to lose a lot
of their self confidence, for this reason we recommend doing no more than what is referred
to as a "lions-cut", leaving the mane, foreleg
feathering and tail completely intact. Third, if you are shaving the dog because grooming
is something you don't have the time for, ask yourself why you want a coated breed to
begin with. We feel that part of the pride in owning such a magnificently coated animal in
the first place is the pride that is derived from displaying a well groomed dog in public.
A beautifully groomed, properly maintained Keeshond tends to draw a lot of attention and
admiration from onlookers. Grooming time does not have to be a hated chore, it should be a
time to bond more closely with your dog. Done properly and regularly from puppyhood,
grooming can become a time for reflection and bonding, not unlike the pleasure many people
derive from gardening or tinkering in their shop. For more information on
grooming there is a Keeshond Grooming page as well as a section
on Shaving A Keeshond.
Return