Keeshond: breed features and subtleties of content

Keeskhondy is one of the oldest breeds of domestic dogs with a unique wolf color. Today keeshondas (or Wolfspitz) are widely distributed in the territory of Holland, Germany, Spain and France, however, in the territory of the CIS countries, this breed is not widely known. In this article you will learn about the peculiarities of the keeshond breed, its history of origin, the details of the content and feeding.

Wolfspitz have a unique history. The first records of this breed date back to the XVII century - it was at that time that the breed of keeskhond began to spread widely throughout Northern Europe. Initially, individuals of this breed served exclusively as watchmen. - they were often taken in long sea voyages in boats and barges, where wolves guarded things and food from rodents and birds.

During the patriotic uprising in Holland, at the end of the XVIII century, which was led by the famous Cornelius de Ghislyar, these dogs received their first unofficial name - “keeskhond”. The fact is that the Wolfspitz individual was the favorite of de Gizlar - it was with this dog that he went through many skirmishes and battles. Soon this dog became a symbol of conspirators and revolutionaries. Supporters of de Ghislyar called this breed of dogs "gezami" or "geezami", which later transformed into a modern "keeskhond." Or, translated from Dutch - "barge dog."

Since de Gislar’s ​​rebellion was crushed and defeated, everyone began to deliberately destroy this breed of dogs. Wolfschitz in the household could only mean one thing - loyalty to the ideas of the rioters. At this time, the natural population of keeskhond decreased significantly.

But despite the negative political events, some of the Wolfs remained at the disposal of farmers, sailors and fishermen, which helped the breed to continue to this day. It was by sea that keeshondas came to Germany in the future, where they received another name - Wolfspitz or, in other words, “Wolf Spitz”.

Initially, dogs were known only in narrow circles: they were often turned on by hunters, members of the nobility, sailors. However, keeshondas owed their true popularity to such a historical figure as Baroness von Hardenbruck. The breed was so fond of the Baroness that she began to actively breed her in the beginning of the 20th century. Thanks to her efforts, Wolfspitz were able to get into the open market of domestic dogs and soon began to meet all over the territory of modern Europe. The first individuals reached Russia only at the end of the 20th century.

Wolfspitz is easily recognizable among other dogs - no other species has such a unique wolf color, strong build and long hair. Below you will be able to familiarize yourself with the typical external features of this dog, as well as with the standards of the exterior.

• Medium height. Despite their considerable size (which was mostly formed only because of the very long hair), Wolfspitz does not differ in significant growth.Most often, individuals of this breed grow to a height of 45 centimeters at the withers. Some individual record holders can grow up to 55 centimeters. However, you should understand that the main thing here is not the size, but the harmony of the physique.

• Weight. Keeskhondy have a relatively standard weight for purebred dogs - they are rarely heavier than 26-28 kilos. In this case, the owner must clearly track the relationship of height and weight. Weight gain often speaks about the development of obesity, and not about the maturation of the dog.

• Average life expectancy. The average individual keeskhond rarely lives for more than 15 years, however, in ideal conditions of care, housing and feeding, this breed can live to 20 years. There are some Wolff individuals that have lived for 27 years, however, this is rather an exception to the rule than a pattern.

• Wool. Long, up to 25-30 centimeters, springy and quite tough. There is a rather thick undercoat that allows you to survive even the most severe cold. The coat color is exclusively wolfish: dark, black, gray and white. Wool on chest, back of head, limbs, tail and abdomen, as a rule, of light color, also wolves are distinguished by characteristic white “glasses” on their eyes. Wool cover abundantly covers the stomach (tucked up) and chest, may even touch the ground.

• Eyes. Almond-shaped type and not particularly large in size, as a rule, hazel, dark or black. Delivered relatively close - nose bridge wide in the eye.

• Limbs. Strong, set wide, the bones are thick, the paws themselves are medium in size, perfectly assembled, the pads are oval, black, gray or reddish in color. The front legs seem slightly longer than the rear.

• Ears. Quite long, but because of the abundant hair on the top they seem small. The shape is extremely triangular. The color is black, set wide apart, standing upright in a quiet position, looking out of the shells.

• Head. Wedge-shaped with a distinct neck. The transition from the forehead to the nose is smooth, but noticeable, the muzzle gradually decreases to the nose. The nose is well developed, however, of small size, black or dark color. The chin is well developed, but much thinner than the face itself.

• Tail. Not particularly long, covered with the same long hair as the torso. It is usually bent into a ring, and rests on the body. By standards, the tip of the tail must be dark or black.

• Teeth. Not particularly long, set tight - no gaps. The taste should be correct. The color of teeth in healthy and young individuals should be only white.

• Characteristics of the body. Square, finished and undrawn. The neck is short and wide, firmly planted, there is a characteristic bend. The back is rather short, but with well-developed muscles.

• Leather. Dense, not formed folds, well stretched. In females after carrying puppies, as well as in older individuals, folds may be noticeable.

Wolfspitz differ greatly from other dogs in temperament and character traits. Below you can see these features and differences.

• Extreme activity. From birth, wolves are very active and cheerful, which can give a lot of care to their owners. They are difficult to keep track of, it is difficult to walk because of the irrepressible interest of the dog to everything that happens around. In childhood keeskhondy are a kind of hurricane that can not be installed. These dogs need a constant burst of energy through training, exercise and jogging.Over time and over the course of maturation, the wolves become less and less mobile, which makes it easier to care for them, but can affect the dog's body.

• Absolute good nature to "their". In the family circle Wolfspitz amazing kindly. They are equally loyal and friendly to all family members, adequately respond to the harassment of children, neighbors and guests.

• Attitude towards other pets. If the permissible limits of the personal zone are not violated and the other pet is friendly, wolves are always inclined to make contact. They are the pioneers of games and entertainment, they love to fool around and bite other pets as a joke. In the heat of the game, they are able to hurt other pets, and therefore with the cats they have acquaintance rarely pass on a positive scenario.

• Independence. Despite their seemingly good-natured character, keeshondas are innate advocates. They are so confident in their abilities that they can rush at animals several times larger than them. If they see that the owner needs help or protection, they will immediately rush to his aid, even if it costs them their lives.

• Attitude to strangers. No wonder wolves are considered to be excellent defenders - they always treat suspicious people on their territory with suspicion and are ready to watch them until the stranger leaves her. If the dog sees that the owner behaves freely and freely with this person - they are capable of showing friendliness and will even give themselves a stroke, but will mostly stand aside, preferring to watch.

• Empathic abilities. Wolfs can not be called insensitive dogs that are ready to pester the owner at any time. They have a wonderful sense of the inner state of the owner, which allows them to easily navigate by the intonation and the pronunciation of the commands, that it’s right now that the owner needs them. If the dog sees that at the current moment the owner needs rest and wants to be left alone - the keeshond will also retire in some place and wait until the owner wants to communicate with him. There is a certain method, according to which dogs are brought to seriously ill or lonely people - the so-called canistherapy or animal therapy.

• Predisposition to training. Keeskhondy have an incredibly thin mind and are able to memorize over 30 different tricks in their entire life. On the territory of Russia, these animals appeared solely due to their artistic abilities in the circus arena.

Keeskhond has long established itself as a breed that feels great both in the walls of a closed apartment, and in a private house with a constant range. It is impossible to say that it is difficult to care for or breed this breed, however, inexperienced breeders may experience considerable difficulties while keeping young wolves.

Below you can find recommendations that will help you create the conditions for the proper care of German Wolfspitz.

• Wool. As you may have noticed, keeskhondas have very long and thick hair, for which constant care is needed. Besides the fact that the animal's fur has its own specific smell, it can simply prevent the pet from moving fully. In mats of wool, dirt is very often formed, it becomes a haven for a multitude of microbes and insects (ticks, lice). In addition, not trimmed dogs in the summer season feel just awful because of direct sunlight on the thick coat.

• Bathing. Experts do not recommend very often to bathe Wolffs either with ordinary water or with the help of shampoo. Because of their long hair and thick undercoat, these dogs dry very slowly. In turn, this can lead to catarrhal diseases and inflammatory processes. In addition, a long wet coat that is not completely dried, is likely to simply sour. This can lead to allergic reactions and skin rash.

• Nutrition. The average lifespan of keeskhond can be significantly increased by creating a balanced, nutritious and vitamin diet. Experts recommend the use of ready-made food in feeding keeskhondov - in these mixtures a priori contains all the necessary nutritional elements. Some owners prefer to give the pet natural food, in which case the dog’s owner will have to calculate calories, protein, fats and carbohydrates.

• Active life. Great value on the general condition and life expectancy of a pet has a correct lifestyle. Keeskhondy have a playful, active and cheerful character, and therefore require the constant attention of the owner, constant walks and games. To prevent the dog from having health problems in the future, you should regularly load your puppy with physical exercises and workouts.

• Constant contact. These dogs are not intended for ordinary keeping in an aviary or cage. They must constantly be near the owner, in contact with him, play and train. In the event that the dog is away from the owners for a long time or just alone - the likelihood of mental disorders, depression and even aggression is high.

• Games. The active life of any dog ​​requires not only walks in the fresh air, but also a large number of toys. Before acquiring the dog itself, be sure to buy a few toy bones and toys in the house, with which the animal could not only play, but also grind down its fangs and claws.

• Hygiene. In addition to bathing, your Wolfspitz should regularly go through certain treatments for the rest of the body. This applies primarily: washing the eyes - 2-3 times a week (cotton swabs moistened with boiled water), cleaning the ears of dirt and sulfur - once a week (cotton swabs or napkins), cutting the claws - at discretion, brushing your teeth (at least 2 times a week).

• Walking Excellent keeskhond appetite will not always play on your hand. Wolfspitz do not differ in particular intelligibility regarding food and during walks on the streets they can literally take in everything that exists.Especially these dogs like to dig up old bones, are not indifferent to chewing gums, and sometimes can even devour the excrement of other dogs. All these actions can cause acute viral and intestinal diseases in the dog.

Next is a list of things, tools and accessories that you will definitely need when caring for keeshond. Most of these accessories can be purchased at any pet store.

• Items for hygiene and care of wool: kogterezka, a set for the care of the ears, a special shampoo for long-haired dogs, a hair dryer for drying hair, a skimmer for undercoat, a special comb with long and frequent teeth, drops for washing the eyes.
• Toys. Balls, bones, mice, tassels, artificial chicken carcasses and others.
• Feeding items: 2 polymeric or iron bowls - one for feed, the other for clean water. Bowls should be heavy so that the dog does not accidentally turn them over.
• Items for a walk. Durable flea collar, leash, be sure to muzzle, blanket (it is especially important to wear a blanket on a dog in the winter season after shearing - there is a risk of catching a cold).

The issue of nutrition is the most important in keeping any pet. For experienced breeders, feeding the keeshond will not cause any difficulties. But for those who are confronted with this breed for the first time, it can be really difficult to understand what is what. Below is a list of recommendations that should be followed in feeding the German Wolfspitz.

• No human food. Despite the fact that wolves have an amazing appetite and often love to extort or steal from the table the remains of human food - try to immediately stop these actions. The body of these pets is not adapted to the digestion of salty, spicy, sour, fried or pickled food.

• Regularity. After birth, the wolf body needs more frequent and saturated nutrition. It should be carried out at least 5-6 times a day in small portions. Over time, try to reduce the frequency of feeding, so that by 9 months the pet's diet consists of 2, maximum 3 regular feedings. For adult dogs, the best option would be two meals a day - once early in the morning (at 6 o'clock) and second time in the evening (5-6 hours).

• Systematic. Do not forget that the dog's food should not only be balanced and regular, but also systematic. You must develop a special feeding schedule for your pet and ensure that portions of food are always served at approximately the same time.

• Method of feeding and dose. There are two feeding methods: feeding with natural feeds and ready mixes. If regarding ready-made feeds everything is simple (it should be feed not below premium class), then with natural products everything is much more complicated. Here it is worth counting on the basis of a certain formula, in which the average need for dog food should be at least 2.5-3% of its real weight. Thus, if your dog weighs 17 kilos, then on average she will need at least 450 grams of natural food every day.

At the same time it is necessary to ensure that the feed is balanced, that is, it contains the required amount of protein, fat and carbohydrates. With this calculation of feeding doses, it is worth monitoring the current state of the dog, its lifestyle and activity.

• Meat. It is the main element of the diet of keeskhond. It should always be finely chopped pieces of boiled or raw type. It is also possible to calculate the amount of meat per day; the following formula is used for this: from 15 to 20 grams of meat is allocated for each kilogram of animal weight. Thus, if your dog weighs 17 kilos, his diet should contain about 300 grams of meat products. If your pet is subjected to frequent physical exertion and training, the portions should also be increased.

• Obesity. The tendency to obesity in wolves has been discovered for a very long time, most often it leads to a sedentary lifestyle and a poorly balanced diet. When feeding with dry food, always pay attention to the recommended doses of food for a particular dog size. When feeding with natural food, use the instructions above.

• A sharp decrease in appetite. Frequent phenomenon in the diet keeskhondov, with the appearance of which it is necessary to immediately take the dog to the vet. The reasons for this may be avitaminosis, gastrointestinal diseases, lack of diversity in food or mental pathology.

• Tanks and feeders. After feeding, try to clean the bowl with food immediately - the animal loves to lick it and carry it all over the apartment, trying to pick up even the smallest pieces with the tongue. A bowl of water, on the contrary, should always be in the open access of the dog and be in an easily accessible room.

• "Food from the street". Develop a system of commands with which you could regulate the actions of the animal relative to what it finds on the street. You have to teach the dog that, at your first command, he would throw the found bone or food fragment and immediately go to you.

• Feed. Try to put food in bowls when there is no dog in the room. Wolfe is characterized by excessive activity, which is why, in the presence of the owner, they can, with joy, knock over and scatter a whole bowl of food.

To train this breed of dogs should be treated with extreme caution. Because of their hectic and active temper, these animals are very difficult to keep in one place, they prefer discipline and obedience to games and jogging. Despite such a foolish character, Wolfspitz are extremely inquisitive, intelligent and capable of learning a lot of useful and funny tricks in their whole life. Below you can find a list of recommendations for training keeskhond.

• Start training. Start conducting classes with your pet as early as possible. Experts advise you to start training yourself after 2 weeks after birth. Already at this age, your pet should understand where you can go, and where you can not. What you can explore and try, and what is not worth it.
• Nickname The name of the dog is a kind of foundation for all further training. It is with the nickname that the main commands for the dog should be associated: “next”, “take”, “sit”, “wait” and others. The pet is unlikely to understand that this is exactly what his name is, but he will definitely guess that this particular set of signs applies to him. It is better to choose short, clear and sonorous nicknames with such consonants as: r, r, k, t, s, s and h. Their dogs remember best.
• Method of training. At the very beginning it is worth referring to the friendly method of learning. This means that you should not shout, beat or humiliate a pet. Any dog, and especially pedigree wolves, perfectly feel the rage and aggression of the owner. Be patient and repeat the commands again and again until the animal understands what's what. Instead of a carrot, choose a carrot - be sure to praise your pet every time he does something, give him sweetness or just scratch his ear.However, it is not worth to overdo it with treats, otherwise Wolfspitz can simply become lazy.
• Association with entertainment. Do not try to get from your pet a great desire for training. This is still a healthy young dog that needs fresh air, games and running. That is why try to spend most of the workouts on the street. So the pet will not perceive them as some kind of work or burden, but as real entertainment. In general, try to add more elements of the game to your workouts, this will help to unleash your pet and give him confidence.
• One coach. If you want to achieve obedience and execution of some commands from your pet as soon as possible - do not allow him to be coached by someone else (for example, other family members). It will be difficult for a dog to perceive identical commands, but spoken with different intonation and articulation.
• First simple. In no case should not begin training with complex teams - start small. First, the dog must clearly remember his nickname, then proceed to study the most primitive commands: “bring”, “to me”, “paw”, “voice” and others.
• Don't push. Sometimes a pet can see that it is at this moment that he is not capable of performing some tasks. Wolfs can bark, bite, snap, and even bark at you, not wanting to do the exercises. In this case, do not annoy the dog even more - just try to start the exercises later.
• Complication of the task. As soon as you realize that the pet has learned the basic tricks and commands, try to complicate them. Add new words to your team that will indicate some other actions. To explain a dog a new command or action, it is worth using feed. Sometimes a team’s own image helps - if your pet is already trained and understands you, he will understand that the action needs to be copied. Also increase the time for training. First, it should be small lessons no longer than half an hour a day, as your pet grows, increase them to one hour. In addition, training should take place regularly, and not from time to time.
• Back to basics. It often happens that wolves quickly learn new material and, it would seem, are ready for new achievements. However, no need to hurry. Try to return from time to time to the material already covered, so that the pet does not forget the old tricks and commands.

About the features of the Keeshond breed, see the following video.