Kooikerhondje or Nederlands Kooikerhondje is a Sporting and Working Dog Breed

Kooikerhondje or Nederlands Kooikerhondje

Kooikerhondje or Nederlands Kooikerhondje is a medium-sized spaniel type dog breed from Dutch lineage which was initially used as a working dog; mostly in Eendenkooi (Duck cage) to lure ducks. Kooikerhondje was more common in the 17^th and 18^th centuries and seen in the paintings of Rembrandt and Jan Steen. Now the breed is fast growing and getting popularity in the USA, Canada, and Scandinavia, where it is comparatively strange.

Weight and Height

The average weight of Kooikerhondje is between 20 to 40 pounds (9 to 18 kg). The preferred height of Kooikerhondje dogs (or Kooikers) is 14.5 to 17.5 inches at the withers for males; and 13.5 to 16.5 inches for females.

Lifespan

The typical life of Kooikerhondje is expected to be 12 to 14 years.

Appearance

Kooikerhondje is a small, attractive, spaniel-type sporting dog breed with white, orange, and red color. The breed was initially bred in the Netherlands as a duck decoy dog. Its deeply white plumed tail waves attractively to entice and lure ducks to follow it into Eendenkooi (a decorative artificial pool). When not working the traps, Kooikers were likely to work on the farmhouse to catch vermin.

The proportion of the Kooikerhondje is off-square. The bone and substance of the dog are moderate and the head is well-balanced. The appearance is gentle and alert. The ears are orange-red colored, well feathered, and perfectly decorated with earrings. The color for the Kooikerhondje should be distinct patches of clear orange-red on pure white although a few small spots on the legs are permitted. Color should be preponderated on the back with chest, belly, blaze, and majority of legs and tail white. A dog who has solid red color on the back is permissible but not preferred.

Kooikerhondje Temperament

Kooikerhondje or Nederlands Kooikerhondje is a happy, good-natured, friendly, quiet, obedient, and alert dog breed. Depending on the home environment, Kooikerhondje is very kind, happy and active dog. Kooikerhondje is also an intelligent, vigilant, and more than willing to satisfy its owner. The dog adapts any situation quickly and changes his behavior from quiet to lively with the situation. Kooikerhondje does not immediately like the strangers but once warms up to someone, the trust will be there for the rest of his life. If well-trained and exercised preferable in a fenced yard, the dog can make a good apartment dog. Kooikerhondje has a medium energy level, thus, remains usually quiet when indoors. The dog can be irritable with strange dogs and generally wary of boisterous children.

History

Kooikerhondje (Nederlands Kooikerhondje) was bred in the Netherlands sometime prior to the 16^th century when it was bred to lure ducks into traps. This technique was also called tolling. The dogs were used to lure 'Kooien' (cages in the form of canals with traps at the ends), where the hunter (the Kooiker) could easily catch the fowl. These dogs were called 'Kooiker's hondjes' (Kooiker's dogs). Finally, this led to this dog now called the ‘Kooikerhondje’.

The breed became nearly extinct during World War-II until Baroness van Hardenbroek van Ammerstol rescued it. The breed was then only recognized by the Dutch Kennel Club “Raad van Beheer”, in 1971. Since the breed was exported to other countries and formally registered into kennel clubs. The breed is still unfamiliar in North America and not yet accepted as a breed in Canada, although it was recognized at the American Kennel Club's FSS program, in 2004. The breed was initially included in the AKC’s Miscellaneous Class on July 01, 2015 for onward moving to the Sporting Group upon full recognition. On January 01, 2018, the breed was fully recognized by the AKC (American Kennel Club) and is now competing in the ‘Sporting Group’. In the USA, both the UKC and ARBA accepted the breed.

In the United Kingdom, the breed has been removed from the import list and is now qualified to participate in the ‘Best in Show awards’, despite there being only 76 of the breed in the United Kingdom.

In January 2013, the Kennel Club declared that the breed ‘Kooikerhondje’ is now reclassifying from the gundog group to the ‘Utility Group’ with effect from January 2014. This was finalized and approved after discussions with breed clubs of the United Kingdom.

Some historians consider that the breed may have possibly played a part in the development of the ‘Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever’.

Also see: Cute and Adorable Kooikerhondje Puppy Pics