Keez Keeshonden - Canadian Kennel Club Breed Standard

The Canadian Kennel Club Official Standard of the KEESHOND
The KEESHOND is a member of the Spitz family (or northern dogs), believed to be descended from the German Wolfspitz, and therefore a close relative to the Pomeranian. The breed has been known throughout the Netherlands since the mid-18th century, where it was a popular "dog of the people". The breed was most numerous in the villages and on the farms, where it was used as watchdog, herder, for draught work and hunting. It was also often to be seen on barges where the dogs were valued as guards and companions. Thus it came to be commonly known as the Barge Dog. The most accepted explanation of the breed's present name goes back to a period of unrest in Holland, when the symbol of the Orangists was the Pug and that of the Patriot party, the little dog of the people named for the nickname of the leader which was Kees. Thus "Keeshond" or "the dog of Kees", pronounced "Kayshond". The breed was exhibited at Dutch shows as early as 1891, but it was not until 1905 that the breed was introduce to England. A Mrs. Wingfield-Digby, on a visit to the Netherlands, saw the barge dogs, and was so taken with them she brought a pair of pups back to England with her. A breeding programme was commenced, and in 1923 the Keeshond made its ring debut at the Birmingham National Show. Two years later Mrs. Wingfield-Digby founded the first breed club under the title of "The Dutch Barge Show Club". A name that was later changed to Keeshond. The first imports began arriving in the United States and Canada within the next five years, and the breed has enjoyed a steady, devoted following ever since. In the early days it is reported that solid black and solid white dogs would occasionally appear in litters. Today the only accepted colour of the body coat is shaded grey with black tipping. A unique characteristic of the Keeshond is its head markings which give the appearance of spectacles and impart a look of great intelligence. The Keeshond was first registered in Canada in the years 1928-1929. General Appearance The Keeshond is a handsome dog, well balanced and short-coupled in body, attracting attention not only by his alert carriage and intelligent expression, but also by his luxurious coat, his richly plumed tail, well curled over his back, and by his fox-like face and head with small pointed ears. His coat is very thick round the neck, forepart of the shoulders and chest, forming a lion-like mane. His rump and hind legs, down to the hocks, are thickly coated forming the characteristic "trousers". His head, ears and lower legs are covered with thick short hair. Size The ideal height of fully matured dogs (over 2 years old), measured from top of withers to the ground is: for males, 18 inches (46 cm); bitches, 17 inches (43 cm). However, size consideration should not outweigh that of type. When dogs are judged equal in type, the dog nearest the ideal height is to be preferred. Length of back from withers to rump should equal height as measured above. Coat and Colour The body should be abundantly covered with long, straight, harsh hair; standing well out from a thick, downy undercoat. The hair on the legs should be smooth and short, except for a feathering on the front legs and "trousers", as previously described, on the hind legs. The hair on the tail should be profuse, forming a rich plume, Head, including muzzle, skull, and ears, should be covered with smooth, soft, short hair - velvety in texture on the ears. Coat must not part down the back. The colour should be a mixture of grey and black. The undercoat should be very pale grey or cream (not tawny). The hair of the outer coat is black tipped, the length of the black tips producing the characteristic shading of colour. The colour may vary from light to dark, but any pronounced deviation from the grey colour is not permissible. The plume of the tail should be very light grey when curled on back, and the tip of the tail should be black. Legs and feet should be cream. Ears should be very dark - almost black. Shoulder line markings (light grey) should be well defined. The colour of the ruff and "trousers" is generally lighter than that of the body. "Spectacles" and shadings, as later described, are characteristic of the breed and must be present to some degree. There should be no pronounced white markings. Faults Silky, wavy or curly coats. Part in coat down the back. Entirely black or white or any other solid colour; any pronounced deviation from the grey colour. Head Expression is largely dependent on the distinctive characteristic called "spectacles" - a delicately pencilled line slanting slightly upward from the outer corner of each eye to the lower corner of the ear, coupled with distinct markings and shadings forming short but expressive eyebrows. Markings (or shadings) on face and head must present a pleasing appearance, imparting to the dog an alert and intelligent expression. Skull The head should be well proportioned to the body, wedge-shaped when viewed from above. Not only in muzzle, but the whole head should give this impression when the ears are drawn back by covering the nape of the neck and the ears with one hand. Head in profile should exhibit a definite stop. The muzzle should be dark in colour and of medium length, neither coarse nor snipey, and well proportioned to the skull. The mouth should be neither overshot nor undershot. Lips should be black and closely meeting, not thick, coarse or sagging; and with no wrinkle at the corner of the mouth. The teeth should be white, sound and strong (but discolouration from distemper not to penalize severely); upper teeth should just overlap the lower teeth. Eyes should be dark brown in colour, of medium size, rather oblique in shape and not set too wide apart. Ears should be small, triangular in shape, mounted high on the head and carried erect; dark in colour and covered with thick, velvety, short hair. Size should be proportionate to the head - length approximating the distance from outer corner of the eye to the nearest edge of the ear. Faults Absence of "spectacles". Apple head, or absence of stop. Overshot or undershot. Protruding round eyes or eyes light in colour. Ears not carried erect when at attention. Neck The neck should be moderately long, well shaped and well set on shoulder; covered with a profuse mane, sweeping from under the jaw and covering the whole of the front part of the shoulders and chest, as well as the top part of the shoulders. Forequarters Forelegs should be straight when seen from any angle, and well feathered. Faults Black markings below the knee, pencilling excepted. Body The body should be compact with a short straight back sloping slightly downward towards the hindquarters; deep and strong of chest, well ribbed, barrel well rounded, belly moderately tucked up. Hindquarters Hind legs should be profusely feathered down to the hocks - not below, with hocks only slightly bent. Legs must be of good bone and cream in colour. The feet should be compact, well rounded, cat-like, and cream in colour. Toes are nicely arched, with black nails. Faults White foot or feet. Tail The tail should be set on high, moderately long, and well feathered, tightly curled over the back. It should lie flat and close to the body with a very light grey plume on top where curled, but the tip of the tail should be black. The tail should form a part of the "silhouette" of the dog's body, rather than give the appearance of an appendage. Faults Tail not lying close to the back. Gait Dogs should show boldly and keep tails curled over the back. They should move cleanly and briskly; and the movement should be straight and sharp (not a lope like a German Shepherd Dog). Faults Silky, wavy or curly coats. Part in coat down the back. Absence of "spectacles". Apple head, or absence of stop. Over shot or undershot. Protruding round eyes or eyes light of colour. Ears not carried erect when at attention. Black markings below the knee, pencilling excepted. White foot or feet. Tail not lying close to the back. Tail not carried over back when moving. Very serious faults - Entirely black or white or any other solid colour; any pronounced deviation from the grey colour.
Scale of Points
General Conformation and Appearance		20	20

Head
	Shape	6
	Eyes	5
	Ears	5
	Teeth	4	20

Body
	Chest, Back and Loin	10
	Tail	10
	Neck & Shoulders	10
	Legs	3	35

Coat		15	15

Colour and Markings		10	10

Total		100	100

The Canadian Kennel Club

Official Standard of the KEESHOND