The Kooikerhondje (Dutch for “little cager dog”) is a small spaniel-type dog with Dutch lineage that was formerly used as a working dog, notably to lure ducks into an eendenkooi (duck cage). Kooikers were popular in the 17th and 18th centuries, and they may be seen in Rembrandt’s and Jan Steen’s works. In the United States, Canada, and Scandinavia, where it is still relatively unknown, the breed is fast gaining popularity.
The Kooikerhondje is a little spaniel-like sporting dog with orange and white markings. Its highly white plumed tail waves jauntily to allure and draw ducks into Eendenkooi, where it was developed as a duck decoy dog in the Netherlands (elaborate manmade pond trapping systems).
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Kooikers were supposed to work on the farm to catch vermin when they weren’t working the traps. Males should be 40 centimeters (16 inches) tall at the withers, while females should be 38 centimeters (15 inches). For males, the FCI standard allows for a range of 38 to 41 cm, and for females, 36 to 39 cm. In the United States, males must be 14.5 to 17.5 inches tall and girls must be 13.5 to 16.5 inches tall.
Ears should be orange-red, well-feathered, and preferably ornamented with earrings. Separate patches of clear orange-red on pure white are preferred for the Kooiker, while a few minor spots on the legs are okay. The back should be the main color, with the chest, belly, blaze, and most of the legs and tail white. Ears that are black. It is permissible to wear a black tail ring that changes color from orange-red to white. A dog with a solid red back is fine, but not desirable.
Dog Breed Group: Sporting Dogs
Height: 14 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight: 20 to 25 pounds
Life Span: 12 to 14 years
AREA OF ORIGIN: Netherlands
DATE OF ORIGIN: 1600s
OTHER NAMES: Kooiker Dog, Nederlandse Kooikerhondje, Small Dutch Waterfowl Dog
Temperament: Intelligent, Active, Benevolent, Agile, Alert, Territorial
Type: Purebred
Color: Red & White
Litter Size: 5 to 7 puppies
Puppy Prices: Because this is a somewhat uncommon breed in the United States, expect to pay between $1000 and $5000 for a Kooikerhondje puppy from a breeder.
Pros: Gentle and steadfast, smart and lively, and in need of only the most basic care, this dog makes an excellent watch- and guard dog.
Cons: Being obstinate and independent with strangers necessitates a lot of tough exercises.
The Kooikerhondje is a healthy breed that lives a long time. The Kooikerhondje is prone to a variety of inherited disorders due to its small founding population. To promote genetic variety within the limited gene pool, it is recommended that suitable breeding procedures be used to reduce inbreeding coefficients. Knowledge of disease genetic lines within the breed, combined with good breeding procedures, helps the Kooikerhondje avoid serious illnesses. Even when appropriate breeding procedures are used, the Kooikerhondje is susceptible to a range of canine diseases.
Aside from weekly grooming, the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje will benefit from a bath every now and then to keep him clean and looking his best. Grooming can be a wonderful way for you and your dog to bond. To avoid overgrowth, splitting, and cracking, use a nail clipper or grinder to trim the strong, fast-growing nails on a regular basis. Ears should be checked on a frequent basis to eliminate wax and debris buildup, which can lead to infection. Brushing your teeth on a regular basis is recommended.
A clever, lively, cheerful, devoted, sweet companion in the home and an athletic, driven, eager, busy explorer outdoors.
The Kooikerhondje is a happy, clever, and energetic, but not overbearing, friend. Because of the nature of the little sports breed’s historic work, they have prey drive and vigor, as well as the delicate personality of a spaniel. They can be highly determined, and they respond well to hard training approaches and soft methods. The Kooikerhondje is a highly trainable dog thanks to its joyful nature, athletic build, intelligence, and eager-to-please attitude. However, because of their passion and tenacity, they will require delicate instruction in order to live up to their potential as lovely family pets and sporting partners.
The Nederlandse Kooikerhondje should thrive on high-quality dog food, whether commercially produced or created at home with your veterinarian’s consent. Any diet should be tailored to the age of the dog (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are prone to becoming overweight, so keep an eye on their calorie intake and weight. Treats can be a useful training aid, but feeding too much might lead to obesity. Discover which human foods are suitable for dogs and which are not. If you have any concerns regarding your dog’s weight or diet, consult your veterinarian. At all times, clean, fresh water should be available.
Kooikerhondjes are happy, pleasant, friendly, calm, well-behaved, and vigilant. It is kind, joyful, and vivacious depending on its residential environment[2]. They’re also intelligent, attentive, and eager to please their master. The Kooikerhondje adjusts to conditions swiftly, altering his demeanor from quiet to lively as the situation permits. Strangers will not always be warmly received, and they may choose to withdraw. However, if they warm up to someone, they will be able to trust them for the rest of their lives. If exercised regularly, the Kooikerhondje can be a good apartment dog, although a fenced yard is preferable. They have a medium amount of energy but are usually calm.
Kooikers, like any other breed, require regular grooming to ensure that their coats and skin are in good shape. They must also be given frequent daily activities to stay fit and healthy. Furthermore, dogs must be fed high-quality food that meets all of their nutritional requirements throughout their lifetimes.
Kooiker puppies are exuberant and full of life; therefore, houses and gardens must be puppy-proofed well in advance of their arrival. A responsible breeder would have socialized their puppies well, which always results in more outgoing, confident, and friendly dogs from the start. That being said, any puppy will feel vulnerable when they leave their mother and littermates, which must be considered. The longer a puppy can stay with its mother, the better, but it should never be too long.
It is better to pick up a puppy when humans will be around for the first week or so, as this is the period required for a puppy to settle in. Dog-proofing the home and garden entail removing any tools or other things that a rowdy puppy could damage themselves on. Because puppies enjoy chewing on objects, electric wires and cables must be kept out of their reach. Toxic plants should be removed from flower beds as well as from home.
When there are youngsters nearby, the Kooikerhondje is a gentle nature, making them excellent family pets. They appreciate being in a home environment and thrive on being involved in everything that happens around them, including playing enjoyable games with the kids. However, any interaction between smaller children and a dog should always be closely monitored by an adult to ensure that playtime does not become too noisy.
If carefully socialized from a young age, the Kooiker usually gets along with other dogs he meets, and if raised with a household cat, they usually get along as well. A Kooikerhondje, on the other hand, would not think twice about chasing any other cats they come across. To be able to be safe, individuals must always exercise caution when near tiny animals and pets.
Names:
Although he adores cookies as much as any other breed, his name does not translate to cookie dog. This happy spaniel, which originated in the Netherlands, can be found in paintings dating back to the seventeenth century. He, like the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, served as a hunting dog, bringing ducks within range so they could be shot or tagged. In fact, the Kooiker is regarded to be the Toller’s ancestor.
The Kooiker is a friendly, good-natured, and attentive family companion with watch dog qualities and athletic abilities that make him a natural at games like agility and flyball. He enjoys playing fetch as a retriever, especially in the water. His exercise requirements are adaptable: a long, languid stroll around the block or a rigorous climb will both suit him. Just make sure he’s properly conditioned before beginning any strenuous workout.
When the Kooiker is young, introduce him to cats or other dogs, and he will get along nicely with them. Expect him to be reticent among strangers but eager to greet friends and family. Take advantage of the Kooiker’s intelligence and eagerness to learn, and begin training as soon as possible.
The Nederlandse Kooikerhondje is an ancient breed that has been seen in Dutch paintings since the late Middle Ages. Prior to the introduction of gunpowder, the breed was utilized in the “Eendenkooi,” or man-made duck-trapping pond systems. These “Duck Decoys,” as they were known in English, were hand-dug ponds ranging in size from 3 to 10 acres. They were not to be mistaken with carved wooden imitation ducks. The breed was also associated with Prince William of Oranje, the founder of the Dutch Monarchy, whose “Kooiker” Kuntz was credited with saving the Prince’s life when assassins attempted to kill him.
After the First World War, the breed began to decline as better fowling guns allowed hunters to shoot ducks more easily. The Duck Decoys were no longer profitable, making the effort to maintain them less appealing, and the miniature orange-red and white dog used to entice the ducks vanished with them.
The Baronesse von Hardenbroek van Ammerstol set out to preserve the species in late 1939 as part of her silent resistance to the annexation of the Netherlands. She gave peddlers who came to her estate a black and white snapshot of the breed as well as a fragment of fur. When the peddler saw a dog that appeared to fit the Baronesse’s criteria, she took it.
The Kooikerhondje is a small, intelligent, and athletic dog from the Netherlands, where they have traditionally been highly valued for the work they were bred to do: luring ducks into hunter’s traps and nets. Some believe these lovely canines are the ancestors of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, and they are also known as Kooiker Hounds.
Because of their charming looks and loyal, affectionate personalities, Kooikers have gained recognition and popularity with many people in other countries around the world, including the UK, in recent years, despite the fact that only a small number of puppies are bred and registered with The Kennel Club each year. As a result, well-bred Kooiker puppies can typically cost a high price, and waiting lists are often lengthy.
The Kooiker dog is bright, eager to please, and relatively simple to teach. Kooikerhondjes typically bark when they detect outsiders around, making them good watchdogs. When it comes to youngsters, this breed is kind and sweet-tempered, making them ideal family companions.
Kooikerhondje Dogs, on the other hand, receives a rating of 5 out of 5 on the scale of dog breeds that bark a lot.
Longer hair, known as feathering, covers the legs, ears, and underside of the tail. Breeches refer to the feathering on the hind legs. Earrings are long, black-feathered ear tips…. Kooikers shed hair all year, with heavier shedding occurring twice a year for roughly a week.