Dutch Shepherd Dog

Originally bred for herding sheep or other livestock, the Dutch Shepherd is a versatile medium-sized dog that can also be used as a search and tracking, companion, guide, farm, guard, and a police dog. It comes with a muscular, well-proportioned body, a smart expression, and a lively disposition. Depending on its coat, the Dutch Shepherd can be distinguished into short-haired, long-haired, and rough-haired varieties.

Dutch Shepherd Dog Pictures

History

First found as natural sheepdogs inhabiting the countryside of The Netherlands, the Dutch Shepherds were used by farmers to prevent flocks of sheep from coming near the crops and keep hens away from a kitchen garden at the farm. The original breed standard, established in 1898, allowed these Shepherd dogs to have any coat color. However, in 1914, brindle was accepted as the standard color to distinguish it from Belgian and German Shepherds.

Its population declined in the mid-twentieth century because modern farming techniques were adopted and its breeding programs were stopped after the Second World War. With permission from the Dutch Breed Club, several other breeds like the Malinois and Laekenois were used in breeding to diversify the population. Although their numbers have currently improved, the Dutch Shepherds are still considered rare, gaining recognition from UKC in 1995 and AKC’s Foundation Stock Service in 2012.

Temperament and Behavior

Gifted with the real sheepdog disposition, the Dutch Shepherd is characterized by loyalty, reliability, and watchfulness. Known for being an active working dog, it can perform any task independently. Loving, faithful, and willing by nature, it makes an excellent companion for its handler and family. When herding flocks of sheep, it can get along well with other dogs and work together. It does not display any signs of fear, shyness, or viciousness when subjected to unprovoked attacks.

Care

• Exercise

• Grooming

• Health Problems

Since they are hard workers, they need to be jogged, walked, or run regularly. They excel in flyball, dock jumping, dog agility, obedience, tracking, weight pulling, and disc dog along with some protection sports like Belgian Ring, French Ring, PSA, and Schutzhund.

Both the short-haired and long-haired types require frequent brushing for the removal of dead hairs. On the other hand, the rough-haired coat may be plucked out using a stripping knife. Occasional combing using a coarse comb works fine for the rough-haired type, but brushing should be avoided. Bathe only when its coat becomes too dirty.

Although rare, some individuals may be affected by genetic health conditions like allergies, pannus, cryptorchidism, inflammatory bowel disease, masticatory myositis, hip dysplasia, and elbow dysplasia. The rough-haired variety is also at risk for goniodysplasia, a condition of the eye.

Training

Socialization: Your Dutchie may be a little reserved with strangers, needing proper socialization. After bringing home a Dutch Shepherd puppy, introduce it to new sights, smells, sounds, and come up with different types of people, noises, places, and textures. Walk your pet on tiles, carpet, and hardwood, have it meet a young person, an old person, or a person with sunglasses. Make sure that these new experiences are fun and positive to your pup.

Obedience: Since Dutch Shepherds can be independent or unresponsive by nature, you need to train your dog in a calm and authoritative way. Avoid issuing obedience commands like “sit,” “stay,” or “down” in a harsh or loud voice. Make sure that you do not repeat any command like “sit, sit, sit!” because it could tune your Dutchie out and teach it that the first few commands are a “pretense.”

Feeding

Be sure to provide your Dutch Shepherd a balanced diet with a mix of broth, water, dry and canned foods. You may give a small quantity of fruits, vegetables, cheese, and cooked eggs.

Interesting Facts

• The Dutch Shepherd is renowned for its use in police work under the KNPV (Koninklijke Nederlandse Politiehond Vereniging) program. KNPV member dogs are preferred globally not just for police or military works but also as personal protection dogs and sports competitors.