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12 Dutch Dog Breeds (With Pictures)

12 Dutch Dog Breeds (With Pictures)

Exploring a dog’s ancestry and breeding history is an exciting and engaging endeavor, especially considering the dog’s intended use.

Many dogs originated in the Netherlands, and their popularity soon spread worldwide.

Below, look at the top 12 dogs originating in the Netherlands to learn more about these amazingly athletic and loving pups.

Many dogs were bred for hunting, birding, or herding purposes and still retain much of this personality and drive today.

1. Keeshond

Keeshond

The Keeshond has a fluffy coat, fox-like face, and upturned tail, resembling other dogs from the Spitz family.

Most Keeshonds will have a “mask” like pattern that makes it look like the dog is wearing spectacles.

The dog has a thick, double coat and is well-suited for cold weather climates.

This dog was once a fixture on Dutch barges and today is known as a patriotic symbol of the Dutch. The Keeshond is affectionate and highly intelligent.

This dog is very easy to train and can excel at obedience competitions. With a daily run or walk, the Keeshond is happy to curl up on your lap and relax for the rest of the day.

2. Dutch Smoushond

Dutch Smoushond

Sometimes referred to as a Dutch Ratter, this small dog rarely tops 20 pounds. The dog has yellow, shaggy fur that makes it look like it is sporting a shaggy beard.

The small dog is closely related to the more common Pinscher or Schnauzer. As the smallest Dutch dog breed, the Dutch Smoushond is ubiquitous inside the Netherlands but seldom seen outside the country.

The dog is recognized only by the American Kennel Club as part of the Terrier group— outside of the AKC, it has no recognition.

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Because this dog isn’t typical in other parts of the world, most dog enthusiasts and experts consider it rare.

3. Saarloos Wolfdog

Saarloos Wolfdog

This stunning, athletic, wild dog is the result of crossing a Eurasian Grey Wolf with a German Shepherd, resulting in the Saarloos Wolfdog.

This dog is tall and athletic, with a gray and white wooly coat similar to a wild wolf.

Dutch breeder, Leendert Saarloos, created this fantastic dog breed with careful and selective breeding in 1935.

The original reasoning for the crossbreeding was to create an efficient and athletic dog while still being a suitable, loving, and affectionate companion for humans.

The Saarloos Wolfdog contains DNA closest to a wild Grey Wolf of all the domesticated dogs.

4. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

Often used for hunting, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a superb gundog, regularly used in the field because it is easily trainable and loyal.

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is reliable and trustworthy in the field and equally loving and affectionate at home.

This dog is a medium-sized dog that usually stands about 24 inches at the shoulder.

The dog has a bristly and shaggy coat, giving its name. Usually, this dog is either white and gray or chestnut and gray, although it can sometimes have a solid brown, white, chestnut coat color.

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is energetic and needs regular exercise and mental stimulation.

This dog is not well suited to live most of its life in a kennel and must have social interaction with its family.

5. Dutch Shepherd

Dutch Shepherd

The Dutch Shepherd is a complete, all-around athletic, and loyal dog. Originating naturally in the rural areas of the Netherlands, the Dutch Shepherd was bred and developed to be a herding and working dog.

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This dog excels at herding and enjoys spending long hours roaming the land protecting its herd. The dog is incredibly intelligent and can be well-adapted to work as a police, bomb, rescue, or service dog.

The Dutch Shepherd is not widely known but makes a wonderful family dog. This dog breed needs constant mental and physical stimulation so that it doesn’t adopt nuisance behaviors.

The Dutch Shepherd loves to be included in the family and doesn’t do well when left alone for long hours.

6. Dutch Spaniel

Dutch Spaniel

Commonly called the Dutch Spaniel, the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje is a medium-sized dog that reaches about 15 inches at the shoulder. This dog weighs around 25 pounds and is loving, active, and entertaining.

The dog is easy to identify with its feathered tail and black-tipped ears. The dog is active and loves to spend time playing and running outdoors.

When not playing outside, the Dutch Spaniel is happy to spend time at home with family. This dog breed is extremely easy to train because it is intelligent and eager to please.

The dog wants to make its owner happy and learn new behaviors very quickly if it earns a positive reaction from its family.

7. Drentse Patrijshond

Drentse Patrijshond

Another Dutch dog that resembles a spaniel, the Drentse Patrijshond, originates from the country’s northeastern part, giving the dog its name.

Sometimes this dog is known as the Dutch Partridge Dog.

Best working in the field, the Dutch Partridge Dog is a fantastic retriever and works well with hunters.

The dog is brilliant and easy to train because they like to please its owner.

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If the dog has enough exercise and mental stimulation in the field, the Drentse Patrijshond is a role model citizen inside the home.

This dog is happy to relax alongside family after a long work day.

8. Bouvier des Flandres

Bouvier des Flandres

When it comes to an all-around working dog, not many can compare to the Bouvier des Flandres. This dog is large, powerful, athletic, and intelligent.

Regularly reaching 100 pounds or more and growing to 25 inches at the shoulder, the Bouvier des Flandres is strong enough to tackle just about any chore on the farm, including herding and guarding.

This dog is exceptionally intelligent and can adapt well to changing situations, thinking on its feet as needs arise on the family farm.

The dog is incredibly loyal to its family and can perform well as a guard dog and a watchdog.

9. Dutch Sheepdog

Dutch Sheepdog

The Schapendoes, also called the Dutch Sheepdog, is a friendly, outgoing, and beautiful dog originating in the Netherlands.

This dog desires to please its owner and makes a phenomenal family pet.

The Dutch Sheepdog is loving and affectionate and will enjoy spending time with all family members.

Although this dog breed was prevalent in the 19th and early 20th centuries, it has since become rare.

Once the Border Collie was widely bred and distributed, many people opted for the Collie rather than the Dutch Sheepdog.

Although this dog can be aloof toward strangers, it is usually loyal to those it knows.

10. Frisian Pointer

Frisian Pointer

The Frisian Pointer is a tremendous retrieving dog often used for duck hunting. Also called a Stabyhoun, this dog originated in the Netherlands.

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The dog is primarily black and white and will reach about 50 pounds.

This dog was bred to be an independent thinker and hunter, often hunting rabbits or vermin if left to its own devices.

Unfortunately, this could mean your Staby will dig in the garden for pet owners. The dog is easy to train but likes to independently investigate all situations around the home, including any noise or motion outside of the norm.

Usually, if the owner accompanies the Staby to confirm all is in order, the Staby will rest and be soothed, knowing the job has been thoroughly investigated and completed.

This dog makes a wonderful family pet because it is loving and attentive.

11. Dutch Tulip Hound

Dutch Tulip Hound

Also called the Markiesje, the Dutch Tulip Hound is an ancient dog breed. Originating in the Netherlands, this dog first appeared in paintings as early as the 17th century.

The dog is usually solid black and is a small to medium-sized dog. This dog will sometimes have small white patches of fur, usually on the chest.

Although it is possible for this dog to sit on your lap for hours on end, don’t confuse this dog with a typical lap dog. The Dutch Tulip Hound is energetic and active.

It enjoys long walks and vigorous runs to stay mentally and physically stimulated.

The dog was bred to be a companion dog and can live well with other animals in the home, including cats and rodents.

Although the Dutch accepted this dog as an official dog breed, the Federation Cynologique Internationale has yet to recognize and accept it.

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12. Wetterhoun

Wetterhoun

The large breed Wetterhoun can grow 75 pounds and about 23 inches at the shoulder. This all-around water dog originated in the Netherlands and is still popular and attractive for outdoor enthusiasts and families.

On occasion, the Wetterhoun is also referred to as the Dutch Water Spaniel or the Otterhound because they were initially bred to hunt otters.

This dog is highly athletic and perseverant, making it an excellent hunting companion. The Wetterhoun is a strong-willed dog that can be difficult to train.

However, with the right personality and steadfast consistency, it is possible to groom the Wetterhoun into a perfect hunting companion and family member.

This dog tends to have a “Velcro” dog effect, preferring to be at its owner’s side throughout the day constantly.

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