DUTCH SHEPHERD DOG

History

Earlier the Dutch Shepherd was used by the farmers to protect crops from cattle and hens to say away from the kitchen garden of the farm. In mid-twentieth, its population decreased because of usage of advanced farming techniques and their breeding program was stopped. Currently, the numbers have improved and have gained recognition since in 1995 from UKC and in 2012 from AKC’s Foundation Stock Service.

Facts About Dutch Shepherd Dog
Breed Group	Purebred
Breed Type	Herding, Working, Sheepdog
Country of Origin	Netherlands
Other Names	Hollandse Herder, Dutchie, Hollandse Herdershond
Size	Medium
Height	22-24 inches
Weight	66-88lbs
Competitive Registration/ Qualification Information	ACR, ACA, AKC/FSS, CKC, APRI, FCI, UKC, NKC, DRA
Shedding	Seasonal
Hypoallergenic	No
Litter Size	6-10 puppies
Color	Brindle, golden or silver base, small amount of white may appear on the chest or toes
Life Expectancy	12-15 years
Coat	Short-haired: Wooly hard, Close-fitting coat Long-haired: Long,  straight, well fitting, & wooly undercoat Rough-haired: Dense, wooly, tousled, harsh,  undercoat
Price	$1200

Temperament and Personality

The Dutch Shepherd has the characteristics of reliability, watchfulness, and royalty. Since they are an active work dog, they work independently. Their faithful, willing and loving nature makes them an excellent family dog. It gets along with other pets while herding. When provoked, they attack and do not show any chances of shyness, fear or viciousness. [gallery ids="16305,16306,16307"]

Care

Exercise

As the breed is a hard-working one, they require jogging, running or walking regularly. They are good at playing games like a fly ball, weight pulling, jumping, agility, disc dog and tracking. [gallery ids="16308,16309,16310"]

Grooming

It requires frequent brushing to remove dead hair. Pluck its rough fur with a stripped knife, but avoid brushing. Instead, use a coarse comb for occasional combing and bathe them only when necessary to prevent dirt accumulation.

Health Problems

The dog rarely suffers from health issues, but might suffer from genetic problems like hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, inflammatory bowel disease, cryptorchidism, myositis, and masticatory. Their rough hair can also be prone to goniodysplasia, an eye disease. [gallery ids="16311,16312,16313"]

Training

Train and socialize them initially with people and other pets. Make sure they are meeting with new ones and indulge in fun-filled activities. Their independent and aggressive nature can make teaching difficult. So teach them to be obedient, but with positive techniques.

Feeding

Serve them with 2¾ to 4 cups of high-quality dry dog food split into at least two meals every day. Sometimes give them a mix of broth, dry, canned food, and water to balance its diet.