Dutch Shepherd
Also known as Hollandse Herder, Berger Hollandais
- Height at the withers
- 55 to 62 cm
- Weight
- 23 to 32 kg
- Life expectancy
- 11 to 14 years
- Daily activity
- 120 minutes
- Origin
- Netherlands
- FCI group
- 1 · Sheepdogs and cattle dogs
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- a sporty owner: running, hiking, canicross
- watching over the house
Less suited to
- an apartment: it needs space
- a first dog: it needs an experienced owner
- a sedentary life: plan on 120 minutes of activity a day
- long absences: it struggles when left alone
Overview
A medium-sized herding dog with an athletic, muscular build and a distinctive brindle coat. An intelligent, versatile and work-driven breed from the Netherlands, it once served as an all-around farm dog.
History and origins
Developed in the Netherlands as an all-around farm dog for herding sheep and cattle, pulling carts and guarding. Nearly extinct after World War II, it was saved by dedicated breeding efforts.
Health
Life expectancy is 11 to 14 years, and the breed is very hardy. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Goniodysplasia / glaucoma (mainly in wirehaired dogs)
- Skin allergies
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Medium-length, smooth coat. Moderate shedding, low coat care.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- Boundless, 5 out of 5
- Apartment
- Impossible, 1 out of 5
- Home alone
- Poorly, 2 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With cats
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With strangers
- Reserved, 2 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Easy, 4 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Poor fit, 2 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- Strong, 4 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- Low, 2 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Shedding
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Drooling
- Never, 1 out of 5
- Barking
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Good, 4 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Excellent, 5 out of 5
In our lists
Dutch Shepherd FAQ
How big does the Dutch Shepherd get?
The Dutch Shepherd stands 55 to 62 cm at the withers and weighs 23 to 32 kg. It is a medium-sized dog.
Does the Dutch Shepherd shed a lot?
It sheds moderately and its coat needs little care.
Can the Dutch Shepherd live in an apartment?
It is not recommended: it needs space, ideally a house with a yard.
How much exercise does the Dutch Shepherd need each day?
Allow about 120 minutes of activity a day: its energy is boundless. Add games and training exercises to keep its mind busy too.
Is the Dutch Shepherd good with children?
Fairly well, preferably with children old enough to respect its limits. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the Dutch Shepherd live?
Life expectancy is 11 to 14 years, and the breed is very hardy. The main health problems to watch for are hip and elbow dysplasia, as well as goniodysplasia / glaucoma.
