Dutch Shepherd - Creature Companion

 The Dutch shepherd was originally bred to work on farms and herd sheep. It is an intelligent, active, and self-sufficient dog.

The Dutch Shepherd, a rare breed of Dutch shepherd dog, was almost extinct. Although the Dutch shepherd may look similar to its German counterpart, there are subtle differences in their temperaments.

The Dutch Shepherd was originally used to keep watch over cattle and sheep. It is intelligent, loyal, and self-reliant. These smart, athletic, and highly trained dogs will serve as guard dogs, farmhands, or family members.

Appearance

The best way to distinguish between Dutch shepherds from German shepherds is to look at their coats. The brindle color is only available to Dutch shepherds. The Dutch shepherds are also smaller than their German counterparts. Both male and female Dutch shepherds measure in at around 2 feet and weigh between 45 and 75 pounds. Dutch shepherds are just as muscular as German shepherds. However, they have a slightly stockier appearance and a larger head.

Back to the coat. You can find the brindle pattern in many colors. The original 1898 breed guidelines stated that the brindle pattern could appear in any color. However, it has been refined to the darker end. Black, grey, silver and rust are the most popular colors. A rare white variant is also available.

It is notable for its three different hair types: long, short, and rough. A short-haired coat fits the dog well across its entire body. It is paired with a woolly underneath coat. The long-hair coat is composed of thick, straight hair that may feel rougher and the same woolly underneath coat. The rough-hair coat, which is composed of thick, coarse hair that can be hard to touch, has a woolly undercoat all over the body, except the head. Although all the coats work the same in keeping the Dutch shepherd dry and warm, each one has a distinct visual appearance and requires different grooming.

Temperament

It is easy to distinguish between Dutch shepherds from German shepherds by their coats. Dutch shepherds tend to be a bit smaller than German shepherds with a more stocky appearance and a larger head.

Back to the brindle coat. According to their 1898 breed guidelines, the coat can be seen in "any color." The color of the coat has been refined to be darker. Black, grey, silver, and rust are the most popular colors. However, a rare white variant may also exist.

It is notable that the coat comes in three hair types: long, short, and rough.

Care

The type of coat a Dutch shepherd has will determine how you care for them. A simple brushing once a week is enough for dogs with short hair. Dutch shepherds with long hair need to be brushed every other week. Each type of shepherd needs to be brushed twice a week, and bathed every now and again as their undercoats shed. Rough-haired shepherds require more work, as they need to be brushed twice per week and baths once every three to four. Because their hair is so thick and in texture, you won't be able to brush them as often during the shedding season. You will need to keep their undercoats clean with hand stripping.

Health

Dutch Shepherd are a generally healthy breed. Hip dysplasia can be a problem as dog's ages. If you have a long-haired shepherd, you will want to have her thyroid tested, and thick-haired versions will need to be checked for angiodysplasia, especially prior to breeding. “Many eye conditions can be alleviated through care,” says Michelle Beck, DVM, CCRT, CVA-Veterinary, of Backlund Animal Clinic in Omaha, Nebraska. Once they reach adulthood (2 to 3 years of age), it is important that your Dutch Shepherd be checked for intraocular pressure at least once a year. Additionally, there are some genetic conditions associated with this breed, including allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, pannus, masticatory myositis, and cryptorchidism. For optimal health, keep your Dutch Shepherd at a lean weight and feed him an appropriate diet.

History

Dutch Shepherds have been living in the Netherlands for centuries. In the 19th century, Dutch breeders began augmenting the breed with external genes to take advantage of the dog's strength, speed, and agility without losing its inherent intelligence and independence. The first breed standard created in 1898 referred to dogs appearing in "any color", but this was similarly regulated in 1914 as a way to differentiate Dutch Shepherds from their German and Belgian cousins.

Used almost exclusively as farm dogs and shepherds, the Dutch Shepherd suddenly became an unemployed breed until the early 20th century, when industrialization and land reform in the Netherlands all largely eliminated herding. As its use decreased, so did the popularity of the breed. This, along with the virtual disruption of dog breeding in the Netherlands during WWII, pushed the Dutch Shepherd to near extinction in the 1950s. At the turn of the 20th century, the dog began to return not only as a family pet but also as a second occupation. As a service dog. Today, although still a rare breed, Dutch Shepherds are familiar faces as search and rescue dogs, K-9 police units, and guard dogs. They will also raise sheep and goats.

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