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Pronunciation

Description

Disqualifications:  Tricolored (black/white/orange),  Black and white only,  Missing white blaze on head,  White in the ear(s).   Black body hair, Fully orange-colored tail (missing the white tip). 

Between the ages of 4 and 6 months, baby teeth begin to fall out and are replaced with adult teeth.  You will be able to recognize bite problems in your puppy by the age of 7-8 months when all the adult teeth are in.  Scissor and pincer bites are standard for the breed.  Your dog should be finished growing and its basic structure will be complete by the time the dog reaches one year old.  Any developmental problems will be visible by now.  The breed standard is very specific about the structure of the Kooikerhondje.  When selecting a puppy, it is a good idea to examine the parents and compare them to the standard.  Most breeders also show their dogs in conformation shows.  It is helpful to know how well the parents measured up in front of an experienced eye.  Dutch Kennel Club has established specific breeding guidelines.  An overview has been included in the Breeding section of this document.  The following information speaks generally about the Kooikerhondje's reproductive development.  Bitches usually come into their first heat (estrum) between the ages 6 and 12 months, but can be as late as 18 months.  Male dogs are sexually capable by 9 months.  If you are not planning to breed your dog, the responsible thing is to have your dog neutered or spayed.  The male's sexual prime is between the age of 2 and 4 years, when his sperm count is the highest.  After the age of 7 years, it is a good idea to have the dog's reproductive ability tested by a vet.  The female's sexual prime is between the ages of 2 and 9 years.  Her estrum cycle lasts about 21 days and she is generally introduced to the dog around the 8th.  It may be difficult to determine the exact day the female came into heat so the pair should be kept together until the female accepts the male for the first time.  The female will indicate her willingness to mate by flagging her tail (holding if off to the side).  Once the female accepts the male, the pair should be reintroduced every other day until the female no longer accepts the male (around day 14 ­ 17).  The male should be allowed to breed the female at least three times during this period.  Litter sizes can vary depending on how "well" the dogs were mated and the average size litter of the bitch's mother.  First litters are sometimes smaller than future litters.  The normal litter size is 5 to 7 puppies.  The average gestation is 59-64 days with a normal delivery date either on the 62nd or 63rd day.

Temperament

Kooikerhondjes are sensitive and intelligent and have a strong character.  For that reason, they need consistent, firm training with a stern but calm voice.  Yelling at a Kooikerhondje accomplishes little and can do more harm than good.  Clicker training comes highly recommended.  This breed responds well to positive reinforcement and food.  Start training as soon as possible and make it fun.  Use the moments that the dog does something you want him to do on his own (like laying down) and praise him while giving the command.  Soon your dog will learn to associate the behavior with the command.  Generally, you can start housetraining between 5 to 8 weeks of age.  Your puppy won't be fully reliable until sometime after 6 months of age.  The sooner you start the sooner they understand and the less accidents they have.  Most Kooikerhondjes love to be active and use their minds.  Here is a list of activities that Kooikerhondjes are well suited to:  Flushing Birds (primarily for fun), Retrieving (if they are taught well), Tracking, Agility, Obedience, Conformation, Dance (obedience and maneuvers set to music), Swimming and playing in Water, Activities that require a lot of physical exertion should be properly managed in order to prevent injury to the dog.  Puppies can start agility training around 6-8 months of age provided that jumping is not part of the training.  During the first year, your puppy is still growing and the bones and joints are not fully formed.  Any activity that puts a strain on the legs, spine and joints should be avoided until after the dog has reached one year of age so as to avoid risk serious and permanent injury to your dog.  Teaching your dog for conformation dog shows can start as soon as you get your puppy: It begins with socialization, as your puppy will need to get used to be handled by strangers in a fairly intrusive way.  Unlike normal people, judges are going to look into the dog¹s mouth and run their hands all over the dog.  The dog must learn to allow this and not wiggle out of the judge's grasp.  Lots of kind handling and praise from both the owner and strangers will accustom your dog to being examined.  Consider seriously finding a good, local trainer to train both you and your dog in any activity you decide to participate in.  Remember the Kooikerhondje is a sensitive breed, so select your trainer carefully to ensure the trainer¹s style is suited to your dog.

Chewing Starts: 9 weeks Ends: excessive chewing: 6-7 months Recommendations: Chewing is natural for dogs and it is what all puppies do when their adult teeth start to come in.  Chewing is also tremendous fun for a dog and it relieves a lot of pent-up stress and tension.  While you can never completely stop a dog from chewing, experts agree that solving inappropriate chewing involves prevention, diversion and correction.  Prevent your dog/puppy from chewing on inappropriate objects by keeping them out of reach and crating your puppy when you are away.  Do not let they puppy chew on any old personal items, like shoes.  A puppy has no way of telling and old shoe from a new shoe.  Remember the golden rule:  If it is on the floor, the puppy will think it belongs to him.  Divert your dog/puppy¹s chewing energies onto appropriate objects.  Buy lots of chewing bones, rubber rings nylon ropes, etc. that have been designed specifically for safe chewing.  Keep away all things he/she may chew that could be dangerous (i.e. pens, rubbish, rubber bands, combs, scissors, wires, ropes, cables etc.  While verbally correcting your dog/puppy might stop the immediate chewing, you might just be teaching your dog not to get caught chewing.  Correction is best when the object itself teaches your dog/puppy not to chew on it.  Apple bitter, hot sauce or perfumes sprayed onto what ever you don¹t want chewed suddenly makes chewing on that object not so desirable. Despite all of your efforts, you may expect to loose at least one cherished item during puppy's chewing phase.  Kooikerhondjes are bright and active dogs.  Destructive behavior is most often based in boredom.  It is important for a Kooikerhondje to get enough activity.  If your Kooikerhondje is being destructive, you need to increase his activity level.  Try activities that involve both training and physical exertion, like obedience and agility.  Strong leadership from you combined with the release of all that energy will bring about quick results.  Behavior: Fear  Starts: Normal Fear Stages: First: 9 weeks Second: 9 months Third: During first heat cycle. Ends: lasts approximately 2 weeks.

Some Fear is Normal for Puppies: You can expect your puppy to go through at least 2 to 3 fear periods.  During these periods, your puppy is learning about the world.  In the wild, this is when pups are first leaving the den and they need to learn quickly what is dangerous and what is not.  During these times you need to be careful about controlling the situations your puppy gets exposed to.  Do a lot of socialization and play with your puppy to give it self- confidence. If your puppy becomes startled do not pick him up and love him or sooth him with your words as dogs do not see human comfort the same as humans and if you do this anything that gives your puppy a fright during these periods may become imprinted in their minds and they can carry that fear for the rest of their lives. You need to allow the pup to get over the fright on their own to avoid a lasting affect.

Fear of Objects: If it is an object that is spooking your dog show him that it is nothing to be afraid of by touching it yourself.  Sit near it and encourage your dog to come closer to you while ignoring the object.  Eventually the dog will come to learn that the object isn't dangerous after all. Do not pet your dog while he is afraid.

Fear of Strangers: Although the Kooikerhondjes can be very selective about whom they like and whom they don¹t like, shyness is not normal for a Kooikerhondje.  There can be several reasons for your Kooikerhondje to be fearful of strangers.  Some people seem dangerous to them either because of what they are wearing, the size they are or the way they approach.  Your dog may also be taking nonverbal cues from you.  Dogs read our body language much more readily than we do.  Your dog will know from your body language if you think they are friendly, wary or even hostile.  If you have a shy puppy or dog, you need to start socializing it as soon as possible. Start by having lots of people come over and visit your dog at home.  Instruct your guests to allow the dog to approach them first.  Make sure your guests praise the dog and give her treats.  Take your time and don't force it.  When your puppy has had all it's vaccinations, take your it to as many places as you can.  Introduce your puppy to a variety of people places and things. It's best if people scratch the puppy under the chin rather than over the head because the under the chin approach is less threatening.  Praise and reward your puppy when it does well in a situation and don't fuss over it when your puppy gets scared.  Remember that your Kooikerhondje is looking to you for clues as to how to deal with the situation so remain calm, happy and upbeat at all times.  If you keep the experiences positive, your dog will learn to look forward to new situations and people. 

Abnormal Fear: Fear can be based on past bad experiences, low self-esteem and poor socialization. If your dog seems abnormally fearful, you may want to enlist expert help from a trainer or behavioralist.  Avoid encouraging your dog's fearfulness by making a big deal over the dog's reaction.  By trying to comfort your dog when he is afraid you are reinforcing his belief that there really is something to be afraid of.  Do not breed your dog if it has a serious character flaw.  Behavior: Ignoring Commands Starts: 6 months and 13 months. Ends: 7 months and 15 months Recommendations: The Kooikerhondje is a very intelligent breed.  They learn new things very quickly.  Like most dogs though, when they reach the age of 6-7 months and then again at 13 - 15 months they seem to forget everything you taught them.  Do not despair, as this is a normal part of growing up and testing their boundaries with you.  Remain firm and consistent and your Kooikerhondje will soon learn that you are still the boss and all that you taught them will suddenly be remembered.  Behavior: Biting during play Starts: when they start playing, 4 - 5 weeks Ends: stops around 5-6 months of age. Recommendations: While playing is good, biting hard is not and should not be tolerated.  Your puppy needs to learn that biting is not acceptable and you need to start teaching him right away.  Correct the pup with a strict "no bite" and then praise him when he backs off.  Some cases require a sharp, but controlled tap underneath the chin.  Stop the play by turning your back to him or letting out a little puppy like scream when he bites. It tells your puppy that "this is not fun".  Soon he will get the idea that if he wants the play to continue he can't bite. 

Kooikerhondjes are generally not noisy dogs.  A barking Kooikerhondje is usually just trying to get attention or is trying to ward off an intruder.  If your dog is barking directly at you it can be dominance as the dog tries to tell YOU what to do. If this is the case tell the dog "No" and look into your pack leader skills. One of the more common complaints is barking at other dogs.  This type of barking can be based in fear and the best way to deal with it is through opportunities to meet smaller, calm dogs in a relaxed, off-leash environment.  Gradually work up to introducing him to larger dogs.  Keep your dog under your control by having him lie beside you.  If he feels you are in control of the situation, he is less likely to try and warn you and keep the other dog at bay with his barking.  Keep his mind on you and when passing a strange dog with it's owner by talking to your dog and praising it when it ignores the other dog. It is normal for Kooikerhondje puppies to actively play-fight with each other.  Compared with other breeds, the Kooikerhondje appears to be more active than most. Enjoy the show while it remains all in good fun. Intervene when it gets out of hand.

Height, Weight

Kooikerhondjes normally reach their mature size between 7 and 8 months of age.  

Health Problems

Living Conditions

Exercise

Life Expectancy

Grooming

The Kooikerhondje is an old Dutch race bred to lure ducks into traps.  The Kooikerhondje can be seen in paintings from the 16th and 17th century, but didn't become an official, recognized race until June 18, 1966.  Unfortunately, by the end of World War II, when dwindling duck stocks left the Kooikerhondje out of a job, the breed almost became extinct.  In all it is thought only 25 Kooikerhondjes were left in existence.  In 1939 Baroness Van Hardenbroek van Ammerstol decided to resurrect the little Kooikerhondje.  The Baroness lived alone in a very big mansion and was dedicated to her dogs.  She was quite an eccentric woman and had her dogs join her for dinner.  Each dog sat at her table in it¹s own chair.  During WW2 the baroness helped many allied pilots to flee the Germans and used her dogs to guide the men through the woods to the Belgian border.  The Baroness was also involved in the rescue of several other Dutch breeds (the Keeshond and the Drentse Patrijshond).  In order to rebuild the Kooikerhondje, the Baroness prepared a detailed description of the ideal dog and asked traveling salesmen to look for a dog that fit those criteria.  At long last, the her efforts were rewarded when word came back of a bitch named Tommie on a farm in the northern province called Friesland The Baroness went to Friesland, and was delighted to discover that Tommie did indeed fit the description.  Fortunately, the farmer, who would not sell Tommie, agreed to lend her to the Baroness for breeding.  Tommie was taken to the Baroness's home in Geldrop and the Baroness began her searched for a fitting dog to mate her to.  Eventually, she found a suitable dog named Bobbie and he sired Tommie`s first litter.  The only surviving pup from that litter was a male and the Baroness named him Bernhard van Walhalla (van Walhalla was the kennel¹s name).  In 1943 Tommie had her second litter from a new dog- named Bennie.  This litter consisted of 4 bitches, which were named after Tommie and after the little princesses of the Netherlands: Trix, Irene, Margrietje and Tommie 2.  (This was quite audacious of the Baroness, since in 1943 the Netherlands were occupied by Nazi-Germany and any reference to the royal family was absolutely forbidden.)  The Baroness, as before, searched for suitable males to breed to these bitches and found them mostly on farms and with private families.  Tommie was returned to the farm in Friesland when she became too old to have another litter.  There she lived out her life until sadly, a harvester accidentally killed her.  Eventually, other people became interested in breeding the Kooikerhondje.  Using Tommie`s offspring, mongrels who fit the description as well as two dogs of decoyman Bosma they created their perfect dog.  In 1966 the raad van Beheer (the Dutch institute that decides whether a breed can become officially recognized or not), decided that a provisional register could be installed.  The dogs that passed the judging could be admitted to the register.  Nico, great grandson of Margrietje, was the first Kooikerhondje to be admitted to the provisional register and can be found in almost every modern Kooikerhondje`s pedigree.  By December 20, 1971, when the Kooikerhondje received its final recognition, a sufficient gene pool had been established.  From that moment on no unregistered dogs were allowed to participate in the breeding program.  

For generations, the Kooikerhondje was used in an ingenious method of hunting ducks.  The hunter would build a trap called a "Kooi" which consists of a curved ditch leading out from a pond frequented by ducks.  Over the ditch an arch of netting is suspended.  The result is a pipe through which the ducks could enter but could not see the end of.  The Kooikerhondje's job was to lure the ducks far enough down the pipe so the hunter could cut off their retreat and drive them to the trap at the end.  Here is how it works: Following the hunter's instructions, the dog would begin cavorting in such a way as to capture the duck's curiosity.  The white tipped, brushy tail of the dog is what attracts a lot of attention from the ducks.  They think perhaps that this flashy thing might be a threat, but they aren't too sure what it is, so they come in for a closer look.  As ducks approach, the dog moves further into the pipe ducking in and out of blinds along the way.  To the ducks, it appears as if the dog is fleeing them. Emboldened, they give chase, trying to drive it even further away.  By the time the ducks lose interest and turn to go back out the mouth of the pipe, they find their way blocked by the hunter.  With the nets above and the hunter behind, there is nowhere to go but further down the curving and ever narrowing Kooi to their eventual fate.  Using this method, a whole flock could be captured at once.  Ducks are seldom hunted in this fashion in Holland anymore but the method and the Kooikerhondje are still used in conservation efforts.

Group

Recognition

FCI = Fédération Cynologique Internationale
DKC = Danish Kennel Club
KCF =  Kooiker Club of Finland
KCC = Kooiker Club of Canada
UKC = United Kennel Club
ARBA=American Rare Breed Association
KCUSA = Kooiker Club of USA
DKC = Dutch Kooiker Club
KCGB = Kooikerhondje Club of Great Britain
APRI = American Pet Registry Inc.
ACR = American Canine Registry
DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.

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