Thursday, December 20, 2018

Reasons To Consider The People Loving Keeshond For Your Next Pet

By Donna Lee


If you're a dog lover, you probably have a favorite breed or two. The popularity of breeds changes over time, but today many favor Labs and teacup miniatures. These are not by any means the only breeds out there though. Anyone looking for a pet that will have people taking notice and asking questions, should consider the Keeshond. Not only are they show stoppers, they are lovable, intelligent, and family friendly.

This particular breed started showing up in the sixteen and seventeen hundreds in Holland. There the dogs were used primarily to guard boats and barges and serve as companions to the rowers. The breed is still commonly referred to as Dutch Barge Dogs. They are cousins to Chows, Pomeranians, and a number of other breeds. The Dutch count this dog as their favorite. Dutch Barges did not get to the United States until 1929 and in 1930 were registered with the American Kennel Club.

They make look like they require a lot of space, but they are actually quite manageable for apartment dwellers even though they have massive tails and luxurious coats. Adult Barges stand approximately eighteen inches high and weight about forty-five pounds. The females are slightly shorter and weigh about five pounds less than the males.

Barges are people dogs. They love their owners and make wonderful companions. These animals are also highly intelligent and so eager to please that training them is usually a matter of repetition, consistency, and a few treats thrown in. Barges have plenty of personality and love to show off. It's not unusual to see one spinning in circles because he's so happy to see his owner.

Unlike some pure breeds, Barges enjoy pretty good health. They do have a predisposition to certain conditions. Before you consider any breed, you should familiarize yourself with the potential health risks they face. Addison's Disease, which can be serious, is a condition Barges sometimes develop. They may also suffer from Von Willebrand's Disease, diabetes, and hip dysplasia.

These dogs thrive under most living conditions, including boats, when they have the company they crave. If left alone, Barges tend to bark. This is stressful for the animal and your neighbors. If you are looking for a companion to accompany you on long runs, the Dutch Barge is not for you. They require minimal exercise and will get overheated if forced to do too much. With their heavy coats, a cold climate is ideal for them. In warmer regions, Barges must be protected from excessive heat.

You'll be pleasantly surprised to learn that this breed is fairly easy to maintain. Even though they have double coats and an undercoat, matting really isn't a problem as long as they are brushed a couple times a week. They shed intensely twice a year.

Breeders advise owners not to have Barges shaved when it gets warm, even though they don't tolerate heat. Their coats serve as insulators and actually protect them from the heat. Their coats also give them protection from sunburn.




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