The Keeshond: medium-sized, playful, and intelligent. These dogs are known for their beautiful, thick coats, their loving temperaments, and most of all, their low maintenance requirements. Below you'll find plenty of details on Keeshond care: puppy development, exercise needs, preferred living environment, and more. For answers to your questions about owning a Keeshond, read on!
Keeshonden are pretty active dogs, and will require a good bit of daily exercise to keep them happy, healthy, and long-living. Though these dogs aren't particularly task-oriented or "worky" animals, they are intelligent and easily trained, so they'll respond best to activities that stimulate them mentally as well as physically.
The typical adult Keeshond will need about an hour of proper exercise each day, which can be fulfilled with a couple of walks and a good period of play. You can begin exercising your Keeshond puppy at three months of age by taking it on short (5- to 10-minute) walks, then increasing the walks' length and frequency as the puppy grows.
A few precautions to keep in mind when exercising your Keeshond: first, puppies younger than nine months old shouldn't participate in activities that include a lot of jumping, running, and navigating of stairs, as doing so can injure their still-developing joints and bones. (This may take some extra supervision, because young Keeshonden are known to be whirlwinds of energy!) And regardless of age, a leash is recommended when you and your Keeshond are in public. These dogs are very curious and social, so they may run off in search of a new friend or environment if given the chance; a leash will minimize this tendency when you're out and about. Finally, Keeshonden usually form strong attachments to their owners, and suffer separation anxiety if left alone--which means they'll respond best to exercises in which one or more of their owners also participates. (Putting your Keeshond out in the yard to exercise alone, in other words, will be useless. The dog will be miserable, and will likely spend its time at the door barking nonstop to be let back in.)
Safeguards aside, it's important to exercise your Keeshond every single day. If bored and restless, these dogs will become high-strung, hyperactive, and disobedient--and they will bark until you're sick of the sound. Consistent exercise will be good for your Keeshond's peace of mind, as well as your own sanity. Here are a few exercise ideas:
When indoors, it's a good idea to give your Keeshond access to one or more balls or toys that will allow the dog to burn excess energy. It's also recommended that you establish a consistent exercise schedule for the dog, such as walks after breakfast and dinner and a play period in the afternoon.
In terms of shedding and drooling, these dogs will need a moderate amount of care overall. Keeshond shedding is fair for most of the year, but heavy during the spring and fall shedding seasons; drooling isn't an issue.
Keeshonden are famous for their beautiful, thick double coats, which shed a bit all the time--but each spring and fall they "blow" their coats, and they'll shed like crazy for that 2- to 3-week period. Owners say brushing their Keeshonden twice a week (and daily during shedding season) will minimize the amount of shed hairs some, but they still need to vacuum the floors and use lint rollers on clothes and furniture once or twice per month to pick up stray hairs.
The good news is that Keeshonden almost never drool; they might drool a little in anticipation of food or after drinking water, but very rarely otherwise. If your Keeshond is drooling excessively, it may e a sign of a medical issue, in which case a veterinarian's care will be necessary.
Keeshonden are purely companion dogs, and will thus need to live inside with their human families. These dogs are adaptable to a variety of living spaces, so for a Keeshond, apartment life will work out fine.
In regards to climate: the breed's thick coat makes Keeshonden more suitable for cooler weather. These dogs will do okay in the heat, but it's better not to exercise them in sweltering temperatures. Those living in cold climates will find these dogs ideal companions.
Read the grooming requirements for Keeshonden including coat care and other maintenance.
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