The Dutch Shepherd is a herding dog
of Dutch origin. They were used by shepherds and farmers who needed a versatile
dog, with few demands, and a dog that was able to adapt to a harsh and meager
existence.
Description
Appearance
The
Dutch Shepherd on average weigh between 50–70 pounds (23–32 kg) and the height
varies between 55–63 cm (approximately 22 to 25 inches tall at the withers).
Depending on the coat the breed can be distinguished as short-hair, long-hair,
or rough-hair.
Short-hair: All over the body,
quite hard, close-fitting, with woolly undercoat. Ruff, breeches and tail plume
are clearly visible.
Long-hair: All over the body,
long, straight, well fitting, harsh to the touch, without curls or waves and
with a woolly undercoat. Distinct ruff and breeches. Tail abundantly coated.
Head, ears and feet and also the hind legs below the hocks are short and
densely coated. The backsides of the forelegs show a strongly developed coat,
shortening in length towards the feet, the so-called feathering. No fringes at
the ears.
Rough-hair: Dense, harsh tousled
coat and a woolly, dense undercoat all over the body except for the head.
Upper- and lower lip should be well-covered with hair, the whiskers and beard,
and two well defined, coarse rough eyebrows that are distinct but not
exaggerated. Furnishings are not soft. The hair on the skull and on the cheeks
is less strongly developed. In profile it seems as if the head has a more
square appearance. Strongly developed breeches are desirable. Tail is covered
all round with hair. The brindle colour may be less pronounced because of the
tousled coat.
Colour
Brindle.
The basic colour is golden or silver, and can vary from a near white light
sand-coloured to chestnut red. A "true silver brindle" is very rare,
because having too much white is considered a fault. The brindle is clearly
present all over the body, in the ruff, breeches and tail. Too much black is undesirable.
A black mask is preferable. Heavy white markings on chest or feet is not
desirable.
Temperament
Dutch
Shepherds are loyal, reliable, alert, watchful, active, independent,
intelligent, and intuitive.
Obedience
and discipline can be achieved with remarkable results. Gifted with a true
shepherding temperament, they can supposedly work willingly together with their
owners and can deal independently with any task they are assigned, being
neither aggressive nor shy. They have a strong character and independence
passed down from their herding ancestry.
Health
The
Dutch Breed Club initiated a hotline in 2008 for reporting health and
behavioral problems. Most genetic health problems occur at a low rate in this
breed. Confirmed genetic diseases diagnosed in Dutch Shepherd Dogs include
allergies (atopy), masticatory myositis, pannus, cryptorchidism, and
inflammatory bowel disease.
Within
the rough-hair population care should be taken to screen for goniodysplasia
before breeding. This is a condition where the outflow of fluid from the eye is
restricted and under certain circumstances can cause blindness. The link
between genetics and goniodysplasia is uncertain. Two dogs who have a risk of
goniodysplasia can still have puppies who are not at risk. The Dutch Breed Club
regulations requires the testing for GD for rough-hairs.
The
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals reports hip dysplasia is present at an
overall rate of 8.5 percent on 389 dogs evaluated from Jan 1972 through Dec
2017 (while also reflecting a lower 7.2 percent on dogs born between 2011-2015)
and elbow dysplasia is present at a rate
of 4.1 percent on 291 dogs evaluated from Jan 1972 through Dec 2017.
A
previously unknown inflammatory and necrotizing myopathy affecting Dutch
Shepherd dogs was genetically mapped in 2018 by the University of Minnesota
Canine Genetics Laboratory who identifies this disease as IM: Inflammatory
Myopathy (Myositis). The disease causes progressive, painful inflammation of
skeletal muscle tissue. The first symptoms of the disease, which usually
present between three and eight months of age, include a “bunny hopping” gait
and rear leg stiffness, then, escalate to include muscle tremors, progressive
weakness, and severe muscle atrophy. The Dutch Shepherd Dog Club of America
financed genetic research to analyze and interpret molecular information to
identify this disease, which was spearheaded by Dutch Shepherd Dog Club of
America veterinary counsel Karen Wroblewski DVM.
Dr.
Wroblewski orchestrated a nationwide collaboration of veterinary professionals,
breeders and Dutch Shepherd fanciers resulting in the description of this new
condition, discovery of the causative mutated gene, definition of the mode of
inheritance (autosomal recessive), and now, availability of a new DNA screening
test available through University of Minnesota. The UMN College of Veterinary
Medicine has updated their Canine Genetic Testing webpage to include submission
forms and instructions for submitting samples for Dutch Shepherd Inflammatory
Myopathy testing to identify carriers of the disease. Both parents must be
carriers to produce affected offspring, but as long as one of the two parents
is IM clear, affected offspring will NOT be produced. The University of
Minnesota Canine Genetics Laboratory has also coordinated with the Orthopedic
Foundation for Animals to have the IM test results listed on the OFA website.
Grooming
The
short-haired variety needs occasional combing, with the exception during the
shedding period in the spring and fall when a daily thorough brushing is
needed. The long-haired variety needs to be groomed about once a week, or more
frequently depending on work and environment. The rough-hair variety needs to
be thoroughly brushed once a week, and twice a year the dead hair will need to
be hand stripped.
Activities
The
Dutch Shepherd is an active and versatile breed. They compete in dog agility,
obedience, Rally obedience, flyball, dock jumping, disc dog, tracking, search
and rescue, nosework, weight pulling, along with protection sports such as
Schutzhund, French Ring, Belgian Ring, mondioring, PSA and others. In the
Netherlands it is still employed as a herder and the instinct is still strong
in the breed.
Internationally,
the Dutch Shepherd is best known for use in law enforcement under the KNPV
program. The Koninklijke Nederlandse Politiehond Vereniging (KNPV), or Royal
Dutch Policedog Association, was founded 27 October 1907, as an organization to
oversee and test dogs for their suitability for police work. Dutch Shepherds
with KNPV titles are sought after candidates throughout the world for police
and military use, as well as sport competitors and personal protection dogs.
The KNPV began a dog registration program in 2014 for KNPV member dogs, making
registration mandatory for all dogs born after 1 April 2013.
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