Dog Breed
Keeshond
- Full Name
- Keeshond
- Your PupScore
- Take the best dog breed quiz to get your Pup Scores!
- Life Span
- 12 - 15 years
- Weight
- 35 - 45 pounds
- Description
Agile, Obedient, Playful, Quick, Sturdy, Bright
- Origin
- Germany
- Bred For
- Barge watchdog
- Family Considerations
- Overall Ease of Breed
- Personality
- Home and Environment Considerations
- Physical Characteristics
Child Friendly
4/5
Is the Keeshond good with children?
Yes, the Keeshond is very friendly with children. We still recommend introductions to children while they are young so they get used to them, but the Keeshond naturally loves children.
Stranger Friendly
4/5
Is the Keeshond friendly with strangers?
Yes, the Keeshond is very friendly with strangers. We still recommend early socialization while the Keeshond is a puppy to introduce them to various new people, but in general they are friendly with everyone.
Dog Friendly
4/5
Is the Keeshond friendly with other dogs?
Yes, the Keeshond is very friendly with other dogs. We still recommend early socialization while the Keeshond is a puppy to introduce them to various new dogs, but in general they are friendly with dogs as soon as they meet them.
Likes to Cuddle
5/5
Does the Keeshond like to cuddle?
The Keeshond loves physical affection and cuddles. If you're looking for a cuddle partner you may have found the one!
Playfulness
5/5
Does the Keeshond like to play?
The Keeshond is always ready for play! It's important to keep in mind, as they need to be stimulated with games and affection throughout the day.
Service Dog Ability
1/5
Does the Keeshond make a good service dog?
Historically, the Keeshond has never been used as a service dog and really would not be a good fit.
Ease for Novice
5/5
Is the Keeshond good for first-time owners?
The Keeshond is an excellent breed for first-time owners. They love pleasing their owner, and rarely are aggressive or over-dominant.
Training Potential
3/5
How well can the Keeshond be trained?
The Keeshond is about average when it comes to training potential. The Keeshond can be seen in competitions and can have advanced training, but it would require much dedication and oftentimes professional training.
Amount of Shedding
3/5
Does the Keeshond shed a lot?
The Keeshond is an average shedder. Keeshond owners will probably still tell you it's a lot of shedding, but certain breeds shed even more.
Ease of Grooming
3/5
Is the Keeshond easy to groom?
The Keeshond requires an average amount of grooming. Taking your Keeshond to the pet salon will make your life easier, but its possible to groom a Keeshond on your own as well.
Exercise Need
2/5
Does the Keeshond need a lot of exercise?
The Keeshond requires some daily exercise, but daily walks should be enough. The Keeshond appreciates going outside and on daily walks, but they will be ok without anything overly athletic.
Intelligence
2/5
How smart is the Keeshond?
The Keeshond is a bit goofy and may not be as intelligent as some other breeds, but that is what people oftentimes love about the Keeshond!
Amount of Barking
3/5
How much does the Keeshond bark? Does the Keeshond bark too much?
The Keeshond barks an average amount. It can vary widely between Keeshonds - some may be much more expressive than others.
Guard Dog Ability
2/5
Is the Keeshond a good guard dog?
The Keeshond would not make a good guard dog. They can be alert, but typically do not have the desire or instinct to take on "guarding" as their job.
Tolerates Being Alone
3/5
Is the Keeshond good at staying alone? Is the Keeshond independent?
The Keeshond does not enjoy being left alone for extended periods. They can do well for a couple of hours alone, but may have anxiety for time beyond that.
Good for Apartment Living
4/5
Is the Keeshond a good apartment dog?
The Keeshond can be a good dog for apartment living. Daily exercise is still important, but the Keeshond is a better fit for apartment living than most breeds.
Size
5/5
How big is the Keeshond?
The Keeshond is one of the biggest dog breeds in the world. In the "giant" category!
Tolerates Heat
2/5
How much does the Keeshond tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a Keeshond?
The Keeshond does not tolerate hot weather very well, and we would not recommend having a Keeshond if you live in a very hot weather climate. At the minimum, they would need a home with air conditioning.
Tolerates Cold
2/5
How much does the Keeshond tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a Keeshond?
The Keeshond does not tolerate cold weather very well, and we would not recommend having a Keeshond if you live in a very cold weather climate. Even if your home is warm, it can be inconvenient to go on walks, and you may need to have a sweater for your Keeshond.
Potential to Run Away
2/5
Does the Keeshond try to run away?
The Keeshond does not have a large drive to run away. They can still be distracted and run, so precautions should be taken, but overall they have a less than average urge to run away.
General Health
2/5
Is the Keeshond a healthy dog? The health of a Keeshond should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.
The Keeshond has many health problems that should be considered. The Keeshond can still live a perfectly healthy life, but it's important to consider all of these health risks ahead of time.
Energy Level
2/5
How energetic is the Keeshond?
The Keeshond has some energy and requires daily walks, but overall the Keeshond has less energy than average.
Amount of Drooling
2/5
How much does the Keeshond drool?
The Keeshond drools very little, typically to where it's never a concern.
Prey Drive
2/5
Does the Keeshond have a large prey drive? Does the Keeshond like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?
The Keeshond has some prey drive, so should not be left alone with very small animals such as birds, mice, or gerbils, but with some gradual introduction should be fine living with a cat in the same home.
Athleticism
2/5
Is the Keeshond atheltic?
The Keeshond can have athletic moments, and bursts of speed, but does not have the endurance as other highly athletic dog breeds. They would do great for occasional jogs, but probably not the best for long-distance runs or anything more athletic than that.
- Dog
- Non-Sporting
- Keeshond
The Keeshond is a purebred dog that falls within the larger Non-Sporting dog breed group.
Non-Sporting group: The Non-Sporting group of dogs is probably the most diverse in the sense that it has a variety of dogs, and they were not all bred for one specific purpose. Each breed in the non-sporting group is unique!
They have been primarily bred as house pets, and because of that make excellent additions to the family. Exercise is still important for them, but the typical non-sporting dog does not have the energy of of a sporting or working group dog.
Keeshonds for adoption
Similar Breeds