Nederlandse Kooikerhondje
Also known as Kooiker, Petit chien hollandais de chasse au gibier d’eau
- Height at the withers
- 35 to 42 cm
- Weight
- 9 to 14 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12 to 15 years
- Daily activity
- 75 minutes
- Origin
- Netherlands
- FCI group
- 8 · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- an owner who knows the breed well
Less suited to
- long absences: it struggles when left alone
Overview
A small, agile spaniel-type dog of Dutch origin with a distinctive orange-red and white coat, feathering and fringed ears, originally bred to lure ducks into traps.
History and origins
An old Dutch breed developed as early as the 16th century to work as a duck decoy dog, luring ducks into traps called “eendenkooien.” Nearly extinct after World War II, it was saved and re-established by Baroness van Hardenbroek.
Health
Life expectancy is 12 to 15 years, and its hardiness is average. The most common health problems in the breed:
- von Willebrand disease
- Hereditary necrotizing myelopathy
- Polyneuropathy
- Epilepsy
- Cataracts and patellar luxation
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Medium-length, silky 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
- High, 4 out of 5
- Apartment
- Possible, 3 out of 5
- Home alone
- Poorly, 2 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Good, 4 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
- Possible, 3 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Strong, 4 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- Moderate, 3 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
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Average, 3 out of 5
In our lists
Nederlandse Kooikerhondje FAQ
How big does the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje get?
The Nederlandse Kooikerhondje stands 35 to 42 cm at the withers and weighs 9 to 14 kg. It is a small dog.
Does the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje shed a lot?
It sheds moderately and its coat needs little care.
Can the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje live in an apartment?
It can, as long as it gets real outings every day; a yard is still a plus.
How much exercise does the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje need each day?
Allow about 75 minutes of activity a day: its energy is high. Add games and training exercises to keep its mind busy too.
Is the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje 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 Nederlandse Kooikerhondje live?
Life expectancy is 12 to 15 years, and its hardiness is average. The main health problems to watch for are von Willebrand disease and hereditary necrotizing myelopathy.
