Description. The Kooikerhondjes is a medium sized dog with a height of 14-16 inches and a weight of 20-24 pounds. They are a hint longer than they are tall, at the shoulder. They have a double coat with the outer coat being waterproof and the undercoat being dense and soft. Their coloration is mostly white with medium brown markings. Tri-color dogs can occur but they would not be able to be shown as these are not recognized within the standard.

History. The Kooikerhondjes originated in the Netherlands and appears in paintings as for back as the 17-1800s. As with many dogs, this breed suffered from the beginning of World War II and their numbers fell to as few as 25 Kooikerhondjes. However in 1939 the breed was saved by a Baroness, who also helped allied airmen, who had been shot down, to the borders to flee the country, using the dogs as guides. Historically the breed was used mostly as a hunting and retrieving dog.

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Temperament. The Kooikerhondjes is an affectionate dog that is intelligent and sturdy. They tend to be happy and confident, but may be timid with other dogs or strangers. They require good socialization and will become devoted pets, which are friendly to visitors, they have met before. They are normally quiet but do make a good watchdog. If this breed has a weak owner they will start to take over and behavioral issues will ensue. They require firm gentle training that is consistent and fair. You must establish yourself as the pack leader. All dogs are happier knowing their place in the family, and The Kooikerhondjes is no exception. This breed loves to be made a fuss of, and this can be used in their training. They are not keen on being handled a lot, good reassuring words and a stroke will go a long way in this dogs eyes. It is important to exercise this breed but jumping and similar activities should be avoided when young, as this will damage the bones while they are still developing. They will enjoy playing in and around water, which is good for development, as the water supports some of the body weight. Remember The Kooikerhondjes is a hunting breed and as such should not be trusted with smaller pets, alone.

Health issues. With a life expectancy of 12-14 years the Kooikerhondjes is a fairly healthy breed. Their only health issue is a predisposition to cataract problems. There can be other problems but these are mostly caused by irresponsible breeding.

Grooming. Generally the Kooikerhondjes will only require brushing every couple of days. They may need stripping from time to time.

Living conditions. A Kooikerhondjes will do ok in an apartment if they are adequately exercised but they will require at least a medium sized garden or yard that is well fenced. They require a lot of exercise and are better with a lot of space. This is a good pet for an active family that can spend time with the dog and walk them regularly.

If you can't find a local breeder in your area don't worry, many breeders are using the major airlines like American, Delta, Continental and Northwest airlines for shipping their puppies.

At this time the airlines will ship puppies to the following States: Alabama AL - Alaska AK - Arizona AZ - Arkansas AR - California CA - Colorado CO - Connecticut CT - Delaware DE - Florida FL - Georgia GA - Hawaii HI - Idaho ID - Illinois IL - Indiana IN - Iowa IA - Kansas KS - Kentucky KY - Louisiana LA - Maine ME - Maryland MD - Massachusetts MA - Michigan MI - Minnesota MN - Mississippi MS - Missouri MO - Montana MT - Nebraska NE - Nevada NV - New Hampshire NH - New Jersey NJ - New Mexico NM - New York NY - North Carolina NC - North Dakota ND - Ohio OH - Oklahoma OK - Oregon OR - Pennsylvania PA - Rhode Island RI - South Carolina SC - South Dakota SD - Tennessee TN - Texas TX - Utah UT - Vermont VT - Virginia VA - Washington WA - Washington, D.C. - West Virginia WV - Wisconsin WI - Wyoming WY - Hawaii HI.