Short and small but agile, muscular and active – these are the defining traits of this ancient Japanese dog. Loved and adored in all of Japan, once the best of hunter dogs is a family companion of today. It is always pretty easy to differentiate between male vs female Shiba Inu.

The Shiba Inu has a big round face, the size of which is proportionally large. Two almond shaped black eyes adorn its face. A long nose ends in a black tip and the small mouth makes it look cute and adorable.

This article is all about are male or female Shiba Inu better? We are going to discuss this dog in a lot of detail, so read on to find out all the facts.

Shiba Inu Traits and Characteristics

AKC Size Specification

Shiba Inu was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1992. There is a marked difference in the height with respect to the male and female Shiba Inu. The height of a male dog can reach from 14.5 inches to 16.5 inches. On the other hand, the height of a female Shiba Inu can only grow from 13.5 inches to 15.5 inches.

The weight of a male dog is more as well. A male Shiba Inu can weigh upto 23 pounds. On the other hand, the weight of a female Shiba Inu can only grow upto 19 pounds. When it comes to Shiba Inu male vs female life expectancy, both can live for 13 to 16 years.

Male vs Female Shiba Inu Details

It is very easy to differentiate between male and female Shiba Inu. The physical characteristics and temperament is very different for Shiba Inu male vs female.

The first major difference between male vs female Shiba Inu is that of their height. A male Shiba Inu can grow upto 16.5 inches whereas a Shiba Inu girl can grow to 15.5 inches. The difference of an inch makes it a lot easier to differentiate a male from female.

The next is the difference in their facial features. The male Shiba Inu is always broad faced while the Shiba Inu girl comes with softer facial features. However, the Shiba Inu built is strong, sharp and muscular irrespective of gender. The shape of their body is ideal for a hunting animal.

Shiba Inu Temperament

Male vs Female Shiba Inu Temperament

●       Shiba Inu is One of the Six Spitz Japanese Breeds

Shiba Inu resembles a fox. It has quite unique facial features that are the characteristic of spitz dogs. The other spitz that have originated in Japan include Akita, Kishu, Hokkaido, Kai, Shikoku, and small Shiba. These are the six spitz breeds that have originated in Japan.

●       The Mental Traits of the Shiba Inu

Shiba Inu is bold, energetic and like the color of its coat, fiery. Japanese describe Shiba Inu with the following three mental traits:

1. Kaani – Spirited Boldness
2. Ryosei – Having good nature
3. Soboku – Alertness

These three traits combine to give what is known to be the strong-willed, intelligent and loving temperament of Shiba Inu.

●       Self-Perception of  the Shiba Inu

Shiba Inu is a small dog when compared to other dog breeds. But the small size adds to its qualities. Because it is small and compact, it can move around easily. It is an agile, fairly quick and energetic dog. Shiba Inu stays alert all the time and because of this trait, it can be made a watchdog.

●       The Dignified Walk of the Shiba Inu

Shiba Inu’s self-perception is that of a strong dog. It moves around and walks with such dignity that the onlookers can easily guess the larger than size attitude of this dog. Shiba Inu is an independent and free-thinking dog. It has remained free and that is why it gets difficult to tame the spirits of this dog.

●       Socialization of Shiba Inu Dogs

Early socialization is highly recommended when it comes to Shiba Inu. If it is not socialized early, the dog may not be good for apartment living.

When it comes to training, Shiba Inu may be difficult to train. It is really hard to get this dog to understand the idea of subordination.
Similarly, this dog is too possessive. It guards its territory and possessions. It is over protective about these things. However, these behavior traits can easily be corrected if this dog gets to have early socialization.

Shiba Inu Dog Personality

Shiba Inu is a good natured dog that stays alert. This dog is loyal and loves the members of its human family above everything.

He is muscular and strong. Other than that, Shiba Inu is intelligent and has an idea about his own self.

On one hand, he is loyal and loving to the members of his family but on the other hand, he can be very suspicious of strangers. Suspicion is not the only personality trait that is worrying. Shiba Inu has a tendency to be a guard dog. Because of his guarding nature, he is over possessive.

Shiba Inu marks his own territory and then protects it from breach by any stranger. If any dog might get into his territory, Shiba Inu can behave in an aggressive manner towards that dog. Other than dogs, he can scare small animals. It is in his habit to chase the one that annoys him.

The Shiba puppy is usually very nice tempered. Curious and playful, it is always best to train a puppy before it is too late. Shiba Inu, after some time, gets stubborn. The training must give special attention to calm down the free spirit of this independent dog.

Are Male or Female Shiba Inu Better?

Male and female Shiba Inu have their distinctive characteristics. Whether a male or a female is better for you totally depends on your choice. However, there is a difference in the traits of these dogs. The differences are described below in detail.

●      Behavior Difference Between a Male vs Female Shiba Inu

A male Shiba Inu is playful, outgoing and more open to fun. Female Shiba Inu is more reserved and independent. This can be a real problem and the female Shiba Inu is nicknamed as the spoiled princess.

A female Shiba Inu can cause problems for novice dog owners because of its peculiar behavior. If you are a new dog owner and intend to own Shiba Inu, go for the male Shiba Inu rather than a Shiba Inu girl.

 Male dogs are open hearted and love to play with everyone. Females are very choosy and picky about who to play with.

●      Difference Between Fertile and Neutered Shiba Inu

Dogs have considerable behavioral and temperamental changes if they are neutered and Shiba Inu is no foreign to this phenomenon. Intact male dogs tend to be very dominant. The dominance can be seen in every aspect of their life. It is quite common for a male Shiba Inu to mark its territory by humping or by lifting a leg.

A neutered male Shiba Inu, however, loses much of the dominant inclinations. A neutered dog behaves well in all the aspects of his life.

The female Shiba Inu, if neutered, can become much more sophisticated. The free and independent nature is under control and it does not try to dominate as well. A fertile female dog, however, is a total mess.

During the time when the female is hot, it is prone to getting pregnant. Male dogs will follow her to the house. Also, you will have to face the bloody discharge. All this nuisance can be avoided by getting your dog neutered.

●      Male vs Female Shiba Inu Friendliness

It is a proven fact that male Shiba Inu is playful, joyful and loving whereas the female is more independent and free spirited. A male dog can mingle well with strangers. Although the male dog is also cautious as it is the breed characteristic, the male is cautious to an agreeable limit.

The female Shiba Inu is far more aggressive and cautious. It can become a great guard dog but when it comes to friendliness, it is going to disappoint you. Even a highly trained female is less friendly.

Hence, there is no doubt in the fact that the male dog is far more friendly than a female Shiba Inu.

●      Male vs Female Shiba Inu Activity Level

It has always been mentioned that a male dog is far more agile, playful and active than a female dog. No one knows why a male is more active, but it is an established fact.

Male dog loves to play around with the other members of the family. They would also need the daily dose of their exercise. You can take them out for a walk around the neighbourhood. You can also take your dog on a short hike or trail. But you cannot expect the same from the female.

A female is of carefree and independent spirits. Shiba Inu girls would always display lower levels of energy. However, there is a catch which you need to understand. Although male dogs are more active yet they are more destructive around the house.

With greater energy, they are more likely to chew, bite and throw away stuff. Females are more calm and cool. Hence, it can be concluded that although males are more active yet they are also a bit destructive. Females might be a bit inactive but the inactivity means calmness.

●      Male vs Female Shiba Inu Cleanliness

A Shiba Inu girl is a cleanliness freak. It is in her habit to keep herself clean all the time. Playing in the mud might be unimportant for her as it would get her dirty. She spends time and effort to keep her clean.

A male dog is prone to get dirty. He would love to play in the mud. A muddy pool is an excellent treat for a male. Because of their loving and playful nature, male Shiba Inu get dirty very easily.

Males also have a tendency to mark the boundary of their territory by lifting a leg. This way they pee and define the boundaries of their space. If not socialized early, the inside of your house is supposed to get messy. However, if you get your dog neutered, you can get away with this problem.

A female on her period is a total mess as you have to clean the bloody remains. A few times of the year when the female is on her period, it remains very unclean. Getting it neutered is the best solution to prevent this problem.

Hence, we can say that a female is cleaner than a male in all circumstances other than being on her period.

Are Male or Female Shiba Inu Better?

Heading towards a final answer, we can say that both male and female have different traits and it is up to you to choose the best traits you want to see in your dog.

If you want a playful, active, agile and loving dog then you should go for the male Shiba Inu. All these traits are found in males.

However, if you prefer a dog that can protect your house from suspicious persons and you want a clean dog, then the dog of your choice is a female Shiba Inu.

Conclusion

The Shiba Inu is native to Japan from where he traveled around the world. Loyal to the family, friendly, loving, playful, agile and with a muscular build – Shiba Inu is loved by dog owners throughout the world.

A comparison between the male vs female Shiba Inu shows that both have specific qualities that you must consider carefully before buying the dog. A male dog is playful and loving while the female is a better guard dog and cleaner.
Have a happy Shiba Inu experience!

Copyright CaninePals.Com. All Rights Reserved.

References and Further Reading:

[1] American Kennel Club, Shiba Inu Information.

Small pointed ears that are set wide apart, round black eyes that are separated by a protruding nose that ends in a black tip, a tiny face, small mouth and a dog body covered with thick silky hair – here comes the lovely Silky Terrier.

How long do Silky Terriers live? Well, that depends on so many things. The health, food, exercise and many other factors determine the Silky Terrier life expectancy. No one would want to lose their cute, silky canine to absurd causes for this dog is too cute to lose.

This article deals with all the questions such as how long does a Silky Terrier live and Silky Terrier life expectancy.

How Long Does the Silky Terrier Live?

The Silky Terrier life expectancy is between 13 to 15 years.  This dog breed can live to its fullest given the right conditions, adequate exercise, required nutrition and beneficial environment.  The Silky Terrier is a healthy dog of small size.

Australian Silky Terrier

The Silky Terrier is also known as the Australian Silky Terrier but only in Australia. Its original name was Australian Silky Terrier there and still is its official name. When the dog was brought to America, the name was adopted as the Silky Terrier, dropping the manifest reference to Australia. The Australian Silky Terrier lifespan is 13 to 15 years.

Silky Terrier Breed Characteristics

AKC Size Specification

Silky Terrier is a relatively small dog. AKC specifies that the height of both the male and the female ranges approximately from 9 to 10 inches. The weight of the breed is also quite less. On an average, an adult dog can weigh up to 10 pounds

Silky Terrier Color Chart

If one thing draws everyone’s attention to this dog, it’s the coat of the Silky Terrier. Nature has blessed this dog with a beautiful coat. The coat can reach a length of 5 to 6 inches down. Long, sleek and silky, the coat is parted at the back of the dog.

The coat of the Silky Terrier comes in many colors. AKC recognizes six colors of the coat of Silky Terriers. These are listed below in the table along with the registration code.

AKC Breed Specification

The AKC recognized the breed specification of Silky Terrier on 30 November 1989. An overview of the breed specifications as recognized by AKC is described below in detail.

●       General Appearance:

It is referred to as the ‘toy terrier’ because of its small appearance. The dog is of moderate size and structure. The bones and body have significant strength that allow it the courage to hunt and kill domestic rodents.

The coat is silky, smooth and sleek. Parted sideways at the back, the coat runs from the neck to the tail. The body of the Silky Terrier is about one-fifth longer than its height at the withers. The build is light and the structure of the bones is fine.

●       Head:

The head of the Silky Terrier is strong and wedge shaped. It is moderately long and gives piercely keen expressions. The eyes are dark and shaped like an almond. The rims of the eyes are also darker. Light eyes in Silky Terrier is a fault.

The ears are set apart and come in the shape of an inverted V. They stand erect all the time and do not fall off. The teeth are strong and perfectly aligned. They are as sharp as scissors.

●       Neck:

The shoulders are sloppy. However, the neck sits beautifully between the shoulders and looks perfect. The neck is medium long and fine. It is somewhat crested. Chest is wide enough and it extends to the elbows.

●       Body:

The body is low set. It is one-fifth longer than the height of the dog at the withers. Too long a body as well as a too short body is considered a serious fault in the Silky Terrier. The tail is set high and carried at twelve to two o’clock position.

●       Forequarters:

The shoulders are laid back. There is a proper angulation at the upper arm which sets the forelegs perfectly under the body. Forelegs are strong, muscular, straight and fine boned. The front feet are small and catlike. The shape of the paws is round and compact and allows them to carry the weight of the body.

●       Hindquarters:

The thigh muscles are well developed. They are strong but not heavy. The feet are small, compact and round.

●       Gait:

The gait is free. The dog should walk straight, lively and light footed. The power comes from the hindquarters that propel the dog forward when running. Toeing in or out is considered a fault.

Silky Terrier Barking

Silky Terriers may be small but they are very loud when it comes to barking. They bark a lot. Also, they bark in a high pitched sound that resonates indoors. In an apartment, it is very difficult to keep a Silky Terrier because of their excessive barking. Your neighbors might get offended because of the Silky Terrier barking.

Behavior with Family

Some dogs are aloof and want to stay laying in their bed all day long. However, the Silky Terrier is just the opposite. They love the attention of their owners. They want to be loved, cuddled and included in the home activity.

If you want a dog to keep around all day and help you around the house, Silky Terrier is the ideal one for this job. However, don’t expect them to be at home alone all day.

With children, their behavior is relatively good. However, they might hurt your child if left alone with them. Hence, it is necessary that the time with children is supervised by an adult.

Grooming Requirements of Silky Terriers

With a thick and long coat, it appears as if the coat grooming requirements for Silky Terriers would be immense. However, it is exactly the opposite. It only needs coat brushing twice or thrice in a week. Because of the silky texture of its coat, brushing is easy and actually fun.

It is important to brush the coat of your Silky Terrier twice or thrice a week. Their coat is approximately five to six inches long. Due to which, dirt and tartar can build up. You also need to clean the coat from ticks, fleas and burrs that might cause disease.

Other than a weekly brushing, there is apparently no additional grooming requirement. The drooling level is low which means it is not one of those dogs you have to carry a towel around for cleaning.

Behavior with Strangers and Other Dogs

Silky Terrier is a loving dog. With family, it’s always lovey dovey. However, it is moderately playful and receptive towards strangers. It makes human friends very easily and enjoys a good time in their company.

With other dogs, it is vigilant. It protects its space and minds the presence of other dogs. However, it would not attack another dog. It is not aggressive. It does register a light offence to the presence of other dogs.

Physical Requirements of Silky Terriers

The Silky Terrier is a small dog with a big, bold dog personality. It is playful and enjoys outdoor time. Although it has a small body yet it’s never lacking in courage. Silky Terrier would scare any intruder with its shrill barking.

The Silky Terrier also displays the general characteristics of a Terrier dog. Like other Terriers, it is often scrappy, energetic and lively. It loves to dig, bark and chase. These are the traits that are common to all the Terrier dogs. If you love the playful attitude of the dog, you would love to pet a Silky Terrier.

Since it is full of energy, it can never be left alone at home. It can easily get into accidents inside a home if left alone. Also, it is in their temperament to be together with the members of the human family. It is a loyal dog that needs attention, love and company.

The Silky Terrier needs to have its daily dose of exercise. Although it does not require a hike or a stroll on the mountain. However, it can never go with its daily dose of light exercise. A neighborhood walk is sufficient for your dog.

Silky Terrier Health

Silky Terriers are healthy. They are generally free from all diseases. However, they might be susceptible to some of them. The diseases that are commonly related to Silky Terriers are listed below:

●       Legg Calve Perthes Disease:

A dog infected with legg perthes has a decreased blood flow to the head of the femur. The head of the femur is connected to the hip joint. Because of the incidence of this disease and the decreased blood flow, the femur head starts to disintegrate.

The disease occurs early when the puppy is four to six months old. The disease can be corrected with surgery.

●       Patellar Luxation:

Patellar Luxation is the dislocation of the knee cap. This dislocation is quite common in small dogs. The dislocation causes a lot of pain. In extreme conditions, Patellar Luxation leads to crippling. However, many dogs lead normal lives with this health condition.

●       Epilepsy:

Epilepsy is a neurological condition that is mostly inherited. In epilepsy, dogs might experience fits of unusual behavior. At times, they might start running fanatically as it is being chased. At other times, they get unconscious with rigid limbs and fall down.

The seizures are painful for the dog. Contact a vet if your dog experiences any such symptoms. Get your dog thoroughly examined because other diseases might also lead to seizures.

●       Tracheal Collapse:

It is a common problem in smaller dogs. In tracheal collapse, the cartilaginous pipe that transports oxygen to the lungs gets collapsed. The result is that the oxygen supply is cut off. The disease is quite common in smaller dogs and Silky Terriers are not immune.

The disease is curable. Contact your vet if your dog has a cough or develops intolerance to exercise because of exasperation. These are the common symptoms of tracheal collapse. Medication can help cure this disease.

●       Diabetes Mellitus:

Diabetes is a disease in which the body is unable to regulate the sugar levels. Excessive weight loss, frequent urination, thirst and increased appetite are the common symptoms related to Diabetes.

Diabetes needs to be controlled if the dog is diagnosed with it. Insulin administration and diet control are the two ways that help control diabetes in dogs.

Silky Terrier Training

Training the Silky Terriers requires patience, kindness and perseverance. It is a very sensitive dog breed and requires love and passion for training. Training yields best results if the Silky Terrier is treated with respect and patience. Rewards work best to encourage the dog to obey commands.

However, scolding, yelling and punishment would never achieve the desirable results. With yelling and punishments, the dogs not only get scared but also become stubborn. Training needs to be a refreshing and sought after activity for your dog.

History of Silky Terrier Dogs

The Silky Terrier also known as the Australian Silky Terrier originated in Australia in the late 1800s when some Yorkshire Terriers came from England and were bred with different female Australian Terriers to improve the colour of the blue and tan Australian Terrier.

Silky Terriers are native to the land of Kangaroos – Australia. A cross was orchestrated in the 1890s between the imported Yorkshire Terrier and the native Australian Terrier. One of the many dogs produced as a result of this cross yielded the Silky Terriers of today.

The Silky Terriers were interbred until the breed characteristics were crystalized. The breed characteristics were documented in the Australian city of Sydney, New South Wales in 1906. Interestingly, another city did the honors to document the traits of this breed in 1909. The latter ones were recorded in Victoria.

However, the two documents marked deviation on the account of many traits especially the ear types and approximate weight. It led a compromise to draft the new breed standards in the year 1926 that were widely recognized in the country.

Being its recognized origin in Sydney, the dog was earlier known as Sydney Silky Terrier. In 1955, it came to be known as Australian Silky Terrier – a name that still retains the official status in Australia.

When the dog was introduced in the US, the name was changed to the Silky Terrier. The Silky Terrier was recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1959.

Although he’s a Toy in size, he’s bigger and resembles the Australian Terrier if compared to the Yorkshire Terrier. He’s playful, friendly and energetic but is still tough enough to hunt and kill rodents. He hates being ignored so if he belongs to you, you must play with him a lot.

He loves playing fetch and walks. He needs to be brushed and bathed regularly. He’s 9 – 10 inches tall.

Conclusion

How long do Silky Terriers live depends on many factors. However, the Silky Terrier life expectancy is between 13 to 15 years on an average.

Silky Terrier is a loyal family companion. The breed was developed in Australia and later introduced to the rest of the world. The Silky Terrier is famous for its long shiny, smooth and silky coat. The coat can reach a length of 5 to 6 inches.

Although it might appear that the grooming requirements of this dog would be time taking, brushing this dog is fun because of the smooth coat that it has. Silky Terrier is a loyal companion, great partner as well as a protector.

If you want to own a playful and loving dog, Silky Terrier is the best choice for you.

Copyright CaninePals.Com. All Rights Reserved.

References and Further Reading:
[1] American Kennel Club, Silky Terrier Information.

Medium in size, covered in a thick woolly coat, curled tail, small and pointed ears, spectacled eyes and an expressive face – Keeshond is known to be the best family oriented dog. Unusual barking, however, is a downside of Keeshond’s temperament.

Affectionate and family oriented, kids friendly, kind to other dogs as well as strangers, playful, bright, agile, obedient, quick and sturdy are some of the salient traits when it comes to Keeshond temperament.

This article is all about the outstanding traits of this loving family dog Keeshond and Keeshond temperament. So, brace yourself for all that is yet to come.

History of the Keeshond Dog

Keeshond is originally a Dutch breed. Genetically, Keeshond is a close cousin to Samoyed, Chow, Norwegian Elkhound, Finnish Spitz and Pomeranian. Loved by riverboat captains, farmers and working people, Keeshond was generally a country dog back in the 17th and 18th century Holland.

But Keeshond became famous for its role as a companion and the vigilant watchdog on small vessels and barges that sailed through the man-made waterways.

The dog became the center of ire and anger in the historical power struggle between the supporters of the Prince of Orange and their opposers who were  known as the patriots. The patriot leader owned a Keeshond and kept it along as his constant companion. Keeshond thus became a symbol of rebellion against the Prince of Orange.

The power struggle was won by the Prince of Orange and the dog bore the brunt of unhappiness of his followers and fell into infamy.

The Keeshond is descended from various dogs including the Samoyed, Pomeranian, Norwegian Elkhound, Chow Chow and the Finnish Spitz. He was popular in Holland during the late 1700s and became a symbol of Kees de Gyselaer, the leader of the Dutch Patriot political party who had a dog named Kees. Once defeated, they became very rare but resurfaced in America and England 100 years later.

The Keeshond was a watchdog on farms, barges and riverboats. This dog has a fox-like expression and his coat is coloured black, cream and gray with various shaded colouring and “spectacles” around the eyes.

Keeshond Traits and Characteristics

The Keeshond is an old dog breed and is exclusively known for its companionship and love of humans. This dog is a total people lover. If you want to own a lively and agile dog that should participate in all the family activities then you must own a Keeshond.

He’s a good-natured, affectionate dog and relates well to people and other dogs. He’s a fast learner and is full of energy, needing regular exercise. His coat should be brushed twice each week.

This section is all about the Keeshond temperament and personality traits.

AKC Size Specifications

Keeshond is a medium sized dog. He’s 17 – 18 inches high. According to American Kennel Club, the average height of a male Keeshond reaches up to 18 inches whereas a female dog can reach as high as 17 inches.

The average weight of a Keeshond is somewhere between 35-45 pounds.  The life expectancy of this dog is between 12-15 years.

Physical Traits

Dog owners do have an ample idea what it is like if your dog sheds its fur. If the shedding is massive, it becomes a pain to clean around. Keeshond shedding level is somewhat average. It certainly isn’t one of those dogs that shed massively. You can expect minimum shedding of its fur, however.

Keeshond coat grooming requirements are also not very frequent. It can be groomed as frequently as after every fortnight. As compared to dogs who drool so heavily that you always need to have a towel to attend to them, Keeshond drooling is less likely to occur. In that regard, it is quite a cleaner and drool free dog.

Also, with its double coat and long coat length, it is soft to touch and it is an amazing experience whenever you cuddle or hug this dog.

Personality Traits

Keeshond is a kind dog in all respects when it comes to its personality. It is highly adaptable to different situations. When it comes to training a Keeshond, it is not surprising to see that it is highly trainable. It learns quickly and obediently.

Filled with energy, it is highly agile and playful. But it certainly isn’t one of those breeds who are so full of energy that they tend to break stuff. It is filled only with positive and playful energy.

However, it is quite stern when it comes to barking. These dogs bark more often than other dogs and it can be a nuisance at times. Your neighbours are going to be annoyed because of its usual and high pitched barking.

The Keeshond loves to be engaged in play and it would get upset if left alone. It is necessary for Keeshond to have regular outdoor sessions. It is not the kind of dog who would recline all day long in the lounge.

Keeshond Temperament

Family Affection

Family affection of dogs ranges from extreme affectionate to extreme aloof. Some dogs like to spend all the time with the members of their family while other dogs would want to stay all day in their beds sleeping.

When it comes to Keeshond, it is well-known that it is a family oriented dog. It treats members of its human family as its best friend. It loves to play with them all the time and never wants to be left alone.

Kees Dog Behavior with Children

Keeshond is known for its love for the family. It is patient and loving towards younger members of the family especially the children enjoy its company. However, it is usually advised that dogs should be supervised by an adult whenever they are near children.

Behavior with Other Dogs

This characteristic deals with how a dog behaves in the presence of other dogs. Some dogs are hostile towards other dogs. Others are generally more friendly towards the members of their own species.

When it comes to Keeshond, it is kind to other dogs and behaves well.

Keeshond Behavior with Strangers

Keeshond is a loving and affectionate dog. It is kind not only to the members of its human family, children and other dogs but also to the strangers that visit its owner’s household. He is open to strangers and treats them as his best friend.

Playful Nature

Keeshond is agile, enthusiastic and playful. A Kees loves to be around and participate in the family chores, games and other activities. It is not one of those dogs who love to be in their bed all the time. It loves excitement and enjoys fun and work.

Keeshond as a Watchdog

Because of its agile, active and playful nature, it keeps an eye around. Nothing skips its attention. Because of these peculiar characteristics, Keeshond is ideal to serve as a watchdog. Even in its ancestral country, Keeshond served the purpose of a watchdog on small vessels and barges.

Adaptability Level

Keeshond is a highly adaptable dog. It is not like those dogs who always like routine and would never adapt to changed circumstances. It is quite adaptable when it is keenly asked to by the owner.

Owning a Keeshond Dog

Keeshond is a sensible, intelligent and loving dog. It is cheerful, bright and lively. These characteristics make owning a Keeshond to be a fun experience. It needs constant companionship. That can be a good thing as well a bad thing.

It can be a good thing in the sense that if you are alone and isolated, this dog would provide a loving company. It would obey you, bring stuff for you and be happy around you. But if you have a job that requires you to stay in the office for long hours, it would be hard for Keeshond to tolerate that.

On a positive side, it is family oriented. It can earn the love, attraction and care of all the members of the family. Polite to strangers, decent with children and kind with other dogs. Keeshond is the darling of novice dog owners as it is easy to train.

Keeshond does have a barking problem. This dog barks a lot. In an apartment or a high rise, your neighbors are going to suffer because of the unwanted and unnecessary barking of your dog.

Overall, owning a Keeshond is a complete package. Medium-sized, playful, loving and kind. If you can tolerate the unwanted barks, owning a Keeshond can be a wonderful experience.

Understanding Keeshond Barking 

Keeshonds bark loudly and persistently in comparison to other dog breeds. If they are not trained early in life to control their barking, it becomes highly unpleasant for their owners later. Barking is the most interactive way of communication for a dog. Keeshond may bark for a number of reasons. These may include

 Being Territorially Protective

When Keeshond senses any other dog trying to break into their sphere, they bark. The intensification of the risk leads to intensified barking. This type of bark is not gentle at all. It is louder and more aggressive.

From Fear or Boredom

Keeshonds have a tendency to bark if they feel frightened because of anything. If they are bored, you might expect a bark as well. Barking is Keeshond’s way of communicating.

From Happiness

Keeshonds bark extensively whenever they are ecstatic.

Separation Anxiety and Attention Seeking

Yet another cause of Keeshond barking includes separation anxiety. If you have left your dog alone at home, don’t expect it to stay quiet all day.

If it is a Keeshond, it might start barking the moment you set your foot out of the house. Similarly, dogs bark in order to seek attention from their owner.

If you are annoyed because of the barking of your Keeshond, you should employ a few techniques. Whenever your dog starts barking, you need to figure out first what is the trigger. If you can identify the trigger, you can simply remove it to pacify your dog.

If you fear that the dog is barking just to seek your attention then you need to train your dog not to bark for seeking attention. You can start ignoring your dog when it starts barking rather than giving all the attention.

If boredom is the cause of excessive barking, you should keep your dog entertained and tired. Physical exertion and regular exercise would keep your dog tired.

These are some of the techniques you can use to demotivate your dogs from barking.

Keeshond Colors

According to American Kennel Club, there are six colors a Keeshond can appear in. The Keeshond colors are listed below.

• Black and Silver
• Gray and Black
• Gray Silver and Black
• Silver and Black
• Wolf Grey and Black
• Gray Cream and Black

Keeshond Puppy Training

Training a puppy is not about getting him to obey your command. It is all about how you want to live with your puppy. A well trained puppy is one that understands how you want him to be in the house. It takes a little effort, patience and struggle and you can enjoy a really happy life with a well-trained puppy.

It is normal for puppies to display every kind of behavior. They would do things that you like and other things that you don’t like. It is your reaction to a puppy’s behavior that trains it.

If you want your puppy not to eat from the table or ever touch your food at the table, then you must stop serving his food at the table. If you serve his food at the table, it becomes normal for it to touch every food that is there on the table.

Following are the three important techniques that you can use for proper training of a Keeshond puppy

1. First of all, you need to understand that during the training you should confine your puppy to a crate when you are not interacting with him. That way, he wouldn’t learn or do anything that you don’t like.
2. Be calm when you are training. Puppies are sensitive to human emotions. You should stay composed and kind all the time while training your puppy.
3. Use reward and punishment methods. Reward your puppy whenever it obeys your command during training.

Conclusion

Playful, agile, kind and protective are some of the salient characteristics of Keeshond. This Dutch breed is known for kindness and love. Keeshond’s temperament is mild, friendly and welcoming. It is one of those dogs that would enjoy work all day. It keeps company and is a family oriented dog.

The only disadvantage of owning a Keeshond is the unusual and loud barking that creates hell of a nuisance especially at night. If the dog gets proper attention and training, it can overcome the barking as well.

Because of its many loving traits, Keeshond is the darling of novice and experienced dog owners alike.

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References and Further Reading:

[1] American Kennel Club, Keeshond Information.