Kooikerhondje - Started Dogs
Find Kooikerhondjes for sale on this page
For more information about the Kooikerhondje Click hereThe Kooikerhondje is a lovely breed of dog which is smart, loyal, and good-natured. It makes a great hunting dog and an affectionate family pet. The Kooikerhondje was originally bred for duck hunting in Holland.
If you're searching for a small hunting dog that's hard working and loyal, the Kooikerhondje may be the right dog for you. This article will look at the benefits of owning a Kooikerhandje and will give a brief history of the breed.
Description of the dog
The Kooikerhondje is a small Dutch breed of dog. Although this dog enjoys eating dog cookies, that isn't the translation of his name. The Kooikerhondje is a long haired, spaniel type dog who has a great personality and is fun, loving, hardworking, and smart.
This breed is friendly, alert, and a quick learner making it a great hunting dog and family pet. This dog would make an excellent watchdog or retriever. Kooikerhondjes are athletic and adaptable. They can withstand cold conditions due to their thick coat. The Kooikerhondje is a fantastic retriever and a good swimmer, making it the perfect breed to retrieve birds from the water.
Kooikerhondies are also loyal and gentle pets. They need to be introduced to other pets from a young age and get on well with children. The breed is smart and eager to learn, but are easier to train from a young age.
Physically Kooikerhondies are small in stature. They measure between fourteen and sixteen inches from the shoulder and weigh between 20 to 25 pounds. They have a life span of between twelve and fourteen years.
A Brief History of the Breed
The Kooikerhondje is thought to be an ancestor of the Novia Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. These breeds were both used as hunting dogs to lure ducks, which were then shot or tagged. Kooikerhondjes have been depicted in paintings luring ducks, as early as the sixteenth century.
By the end of World War II, there were few ducks left in Holland, and the Kooikerhondje was no longer used for hunting. They almost became extinct, and at one point, there were only twenty five left in the world. In 1939 a breeder named Baroness Van Hardenbroek van Ammerstol started to breed and resurrect the Kooikerhondje.
The Baroness, an eccentric woman who lived alone in a mansion, was a big fan of the Kooikerhondje. It's rumored that the dogs would join her for dinner. During the war, the Baroness used her dogs to guide allied pilots who were fleeing the Germans, through the forests to safety. After the war, the Baroness breed Kooikerhondjes from a single female named Tommie, who she found at a farm in Friesland.
The Kooikerhondje was used for a unique duck hunting technique where they would lure ducks from wetlands into a trap called a "Kooi." The trap consisted of a curved ditch that leads the ducks out of their pond. Netting was suspended over the ditches.
The Kooikerhondje had to lure the ducks into the ditch so that the hunter could catch them.
Kooikerhondjes were able to lure ducks with their white tail, and the birds seemed to want to follow the dog. The dog would sneak out of the trap and block the way before the hunter caught the ducks in his trap. This was a very effective method of catching ducks and often allowed the hunter to catch a whole flock at once. Ducks aren't hunted in this way in Holland anymore.
The appearance of the breed
The Kooikerhondje has very thick, soft, medium-length fur, which is either straight or slightly wavy. This breed has white and brown fur, which is somewhere between an orange and a deep chestnut red. Their ears have a black tip.
The Kooikerhondje has fluffy fur with feathering on the legs and tail. They, therefore, need a good brush every week to stop their coat from becoming matted. During the spring and summer, the Kooikerhondje will shred its fur and needs to be brushed more regularly.
Kooikerhondjes are excellent swimmers and can retrieve game from the water. Their fur is thick and waterproof, which keeps them warm in colder weather. Generally, this breeds coat stays relatively clean on its own.
Conclusion
Today Kooikerhondjes has become a popular pet in Holland, across Europe and much of the developed world. They are loving and affectionate, and their small size and fun nature make them the perfect pet.
Alternatively, if you're searching for a watchdog or a retriever who can fetch waterfowl, the Kooikerhondje would make a fantastic hunting companion.
All | Pointer | Retrievers | Flushers | Versatile | Hounds | Terriers
Have a hunting dog for sale? List it here for Free.