Kooikerhondje General information The kooikerhondje is a sound and healthy dog that can be very old. It’s not unusual that they reach an age of 15 years or more. It’s a breed with large variations. Both size, type and manner differs a lot. The size to strive for is around 38 cm (15 inches) for bitches and 40 cm (16 inches) for males. The weight about 9-11 kg and almost square body. The coat, half long with a slight wave or straight. The texture should not be too fine, and have a well-developed undercoat. The color is white with orangered spots and black fringes on the earrings. The Kooiker moves with agile and elastic motions.
Characteristics and mentality The Kooiker has an eager to learn and work together with its owner. It´s lively, playful and can have a keen interest in hunting. The species can be a bit headstrong and self-willed and demands a firm hand. It is a typical one-man or one-family dog that guard and can be reserved towards strangers. A Kooiker has courage and the power for a deed, but also the ability to "collect it self " for an examine of what frightened it and then quickly relieve its feelings. It also has the ability to relax. When bringing up a kooiker one should think of that fear can bring out the dog’s sharpness. You should then not get tough, but give guidance with a confident, firm and consistent hand.
Function This is essentially a working dog. It has lots of energy, which it needs to find a way of letting out. The race is not suitable for pure companionship, as it demands a great portion of exercise and stimulation every day. The kooikerhondje has its origin of name from a special function as sporting dog. A special nettrap, a decoy (endenkooi) was set up by water surrounded by bushes and trees where ducks seek shelter. The dog lured the ducks towards the trap, where the hunter was waiting. The man with the trap is called a Kooiker. Hond is dog, and the –tje denotes it as little. So, the duckmans little dog was named kooikerhondje. It also has an english a.k.a.: Dutch decoydog. The kooiker has trough the times also been used as a yard- and guarddog. It is an able verminhunter.
Hints for the first time owner Sure, the kooiker is small and cute, but it has always had tasks that require courage and sharpness. As it´s very sharp on its surrounding signals, the kooiker demands a secure and competent upbringing to develop into a stable adult dog. During its puberty, the kooiker often tests the limits and then need a consistent and firm handling.
Activation A kooiker must have regular activation to feel good, physically and mentally. If the owner don’t, the dog will activate it self and then not always with occupations that are appreciated by us people. Birdfetching and driving deer’s suites a kooiker well. As well as obedience, agility and flyball. On the hole, any form of "nosework" is fine, and you can try mushrooms search, fungi search amongst others.
Grooming The kooiker has a coat that is easy to care for and keeps beautiful and tanglefree if it is brushed trough every now and then. The coat is shed, as most dogs, mostly in spring and autumn. The coat shall not be trimmed or cut. More information ask rasinformatörer.