Dutch Shepherd Care

The Dutch Shepherd (nicknamed the "Dutchie"), cousin to both the Belgian and German Shepherd, is very similar to both those breeds: energetic, task-oriented, intelligent, and highly athletic. These dogs can also be quite dominant and bossy without proper training. Overall Dutch Shepherd care and maintenance won't take too much work, but will need to include a good bit of daily exercise and some early training and socialization.

Below you'll find plenty of details on caring for a Dutch Shepherd, including info about puppy development, exercise needs, food recommendations, and more. Get answers to your questions about raising a Dutch Shepherd in the following sections!

As an active and athletic herding breed, Dutch Shepherd exercise requirements are fairly high. These dogs are also very intelligent, so they'll need a variety of daily activities that both condition them physically (walking, fetch) and stimulate them mentally (games, canine sports). They make good jogging and bicycling companions as well.

Adult Dutchies will need at least an hour of dedicated exercise per day. You can start exercising your Dutchie puppy when it's three months old by taking it on short walks, then you can increase the walks' length as the pup grows.

Precautions with Dutch Shepherd exercise:

• Don't exercise puppies too hard before they're nine months old
• A leash is required when exercising in public
• Yards must be securely fenced to keep the dog from running off
• Possible separation anxiety; exercises should be done together with people

Exercising your Dutch Shepherd every day is a must. These dogs have a very strong work ethic--they constantly need to be "doing something," in other words--and without consistent activity they'll become anxious, disobedient, and destructive. Regular exercise will be great for both the dog's and your on peace of mind! Some exercise ideas:

• Walking/Jogging/Bicycling: Two 20-minute walks (or 15-minute jogs or bike rides) per day is a good target
• Fetch/Frisbee: Dutchies love chasing a ball, stick, or Frisbee
• Tug-of-War: Great indoor activity; use a rope or old towel
• Canine Sports: Dutchies are fantastic competitors in agility trials, flyball, and other events
• Dog Park: If properly socialized, Dutchies enjoy the company of other dogs
• Hiking: Excellent bonding activity

When indoors, giving your Dutchie access to balls or toys will allow the dog to burn excess energy. It's also good to have a regular exercise schedule for the dog, such as walks, jogs, or bike rides after breakfast and dinner and playtime in the afternoon.

These dogs will need moderate maintenance overall. Dutch Shepherd shedding is seasonal: fair for most of the years, and heavier during the twice-yearly shedding seasons. Drooling isn't really an issue.

Dutchies have three coat types: short, long, and wiry. All three coat variants shed moderately most of the time, and more heavily when they blow their undercoats in the spring and fall. Owners can brush their Dutchies' coats once or twice per week with a pin brush (or in the case of wiry-coated Dutchies, with a slicker brush) to keep the shedding to a minimum, and hair cleanup--vacuuming the floors, and lint rollers on clothes and furniture--will be necessary from time to time. (Brushing and cleanup will obviously be required more often during shedding season.)

And a Dutch Shepherd doesn't drool much--possibly in anticipation of food, but that's about it. If your Dutch Shepherd is drooling excessively, it might be a sign of a medical issue, in which case a veterinarian's care is needed.

Though opinions differ, most veterinarians, breeders, and owners agree that the best dog food for Dutch Shepherd dogs is premium dry kibble. This high-quality food, while more expensive, provides balanced portions of animal proteins, healthy carbs, vitamins, minerals, and omega fatty acids--nutrients these dogs need to maintain their health in the long term.

Dutchies are best suited to food formulated for active breeds. Royal Canin, SportMix, and Dr. Tim's are three recommended brands that carry excellent lines of premium high-energy dry food.

These dogs will typically be comfortable in any climate.