The Dutch Barge Dog | The Keeshond

Wolfspitz aka German Spitz or...

The Keeshond is widely known as the Wolf Spitz or Wolfspitz or German Spitz in many European countries. Other members of this family are the Großspitz, Mittelspitz, Kleinspitz, Zwergspitz and Pomeranian. There is occasionally confusion with the names, as some people call any dog vaguely Spitz-looking a Spitz, even if they are not truly a Spitz.

The Dutch Barge Dog

The early Keeshond were known as the Dutch Barge Dog. As you may have guessed, they lived on the Dutch barges and were prized as companions and as an alert or alarm dog. They were probably not big enough to truly be a guard dog, but they could definitely call for help!

Political Connection

Then politics came into the Keeshond picture. Cornelis de Gyzelaar (known as Kees) was a fancier of the breed that came to bear his name. Gyzelaar was the leader of the Dutch rebellion against the House of Orange and his dog was always by his side. The dog's image was used on flyers and posters and he soon became a symbol for the patriots. Patriots wire pins with the Kees' dog pictures and supporters of the House of Orange wore a fawn Pug pin as their symbol. With time, the breed became officially known as the Keeshond.

Apologies, I got a bit carried away with Keeshond Fun Factoids, my dog geek flag flew high today!

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