Discover Everything About Dutch Shepherd (Shorthair)
Learn about the breed characteristics, health, history, and find trusted breeders
Breed Profile
The Dutch Shepherd is a medium-sized dog with a strong, well-proportioned build. His physique is strong and muscular, but without signs of clumsiness or excessiveness. The head is powerful and wedge-shaped with dark, almond-shaped eyes that have a lively and intelligent appearance. The ears are medium-sized, set high and carried upright. In contrast to other German Shepherds, what is particularly noticeable about the Dutch Shepherd is its brindle coat. Its short, dense fur, which lies tightly to the body, is protected by a thick undercoat. The color spectrum ranges from silver to gold brindle. The Dutch Shepherd belongs to FCI Group 1, herding and driving dogs. In contrast to many other breeds, there is no strict separation between show and working lines with the Dutch Shepherd, as the focus of breeding is primarily on a balanced, versatile dog that can shine in both the show ring and the working area.
| Height | 55 - 60 cm (Female), 57 - 62 cm (Male) |
| Weight | 20 - 30 kg (Female), 25 - 35 kg (Male) |
| Life Expectancy | 12 - 15 years |
| Character | Loyal, intelligent, eager to work |
| Coat | Short, smooth, dense undercoat |
| Coat Color | Various shades of silver and gold brindle |
| Price | 1500 - 2500 € € |
History
The Dutch Shepherd, called the Hollandse Herdershond in its homeland, comes from the Netherlands, where it has been used as an all-round farm dog for centuries. His duties included herding and herding sheep and cows, guarding the farm, pulling milk wagons and even turning butter churners. His versatility, hard-working character and high learning ability made him an indispensable companion for Dutch farmers. During the 19th century, the Dutch Shepherd became increasingly valued as a police and service dog, leading to increased breeding and standardization of the breed. In 1898 the first breed standard was established and the Dutch Shepherd was recognized as a separate breed.
The short-haired Dutch Shepherd was used as a versatile working dog for herding sheep and cattle, as well as a guard dog.
Netherlands
1800
Character & Temperament
The Dutch Shepherd is an extremely active and intelligent dog. His personality is characterized by energy and enthusiasm for work. This breed is ideal for people who like to spend time with their dog in nature and want to give them something meaningful to do. The Dutch Shepherd is very people-oriented and has a strong bond with its owner. He is faithful, loyal and loving, both towards his family and other people he knows. The Dutch Shepherd is a playful dog that likes to be kept busy. He needs mental and physical challenges to express his intelligence and energy. This breed is ideal for dog sports such as agility, obedience and tracking. The Dutch Shepherd is able to learn complex tasks and is characterized by its high work ethic. In terms of temperament, the Dutch Shepherd can vary depending on the lineage. There are working dogs that are rather calm and balanced, as well as lines that are very active and spirited. It is important that potential owners consider the different lines and choose the dog that best suits their lifestyle. The Dutch Shepherd is a very alert dog that likes to defend its territory. It usually shows strong hunting and prey-catching behavior, which can be attributed to its original use as a herding dog. Consistent training and early socialization are therefore crucial to controlling this behavior and integrating the dog well into society. It should be noted that the Dutch Shepherd often does not do well when left alone. Because of his strong bond with his owner and his need for human interaction, he can suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for long periods of time. It is important to provide the dog with enough mental and physical activity and to slowly accustom him to being alone to minimize this problem.
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| Openness to Strangers | |
| Hunting or Herding Drive |
An interesting fun fact about the Dutch Shepherd (Shorthair) is that it also goes by the name "Hollandse Herdershond" is known as "Dutch herding dog" in Dutch. means. This highlights the breed's original use as a working dog in livestock breeding and herding.
Fun Fact!
What Awaits You
Dutch Shepherds are intelligent dogs with lots of energy. They must be exercised according to their type and are not beginner dogs.
Housing & Care
The Dutch Shepherd (Shorthair) can be kept both in the city and in the country. However, it is important that he receives sufficient exercise and mental stimulation. This breed is very active and requires long walks, games and mental challenges every day to keep them occupied. A well-fenced garden provides additional space for exercise and training. The Dutch Shepherd (Shorthair) can get along well with children, provided they have been used to each other from an early age and their interaction is always supervised. However, due to their energy and sometimes impulsive behavior, it may be best that they do not live in households with very young children to avoid accidental injury. Compatibility with other pets depends on the dog's socialization. With proper introduction and positive experiences, the Dutch Shepherd (Shorthair) can get along well with other pets, including cats. However, the interaction should always be supervised to avoid possible conflicts.
| Family Friendly | |
| Child Friendly | |
| Dog Friendly | |
| City Friendly |
Owning a dog is not only a privilege, but also a responsibility. If you want to bring a dog into your life, you must be aware of the commitment that dog ownership entails!!
Training & Education
The Dutch Shepherd (Shorthair) is an extremely intelligent and hard-working dog. He loves being challenged and learning new tasks. This breed is ideal for various dog sports such as agility, obedience and tracking. Training should be varied, consistent and positive in order to get the best out of the dog. It is important to note that the Dutch Shepherd (Shorthair) requires a certain level of activity and mental stimulation to be happy and well-adjusted. However, care should be taken to ensure that the dog is not over-employed and that it receives enough rest periods. A balanced mix of physical activity, mental stimulation and relaxation is the key to a happy dog-human team. The Dutch Shepherd (Shorthair) has a natural predisposition to work and protective behavior. Therefore, it is important that he learns frustration tolerance and impulse control. A well-structured and consistent parenting approach based on rewards and positive reinforcement is recommended. It is also advisable to accustom him to different environments, people and animals at an early stage in order to promote his social tolerance.
Nutrition & Care
The Dutch Shepherd (Shorthair)'s diet should be balanced and tailored to its individual needs. High-quality dog food that contains all the necessary nutrients is recommended. The amount of food depends on the dog's age, weight, activity level and health status. It is important to follow the manufacturer's feeding recommendations and adjust the amount of food accordingly. The Dutch Shepherd Dog (Shorthair) has short fur with a fine undercoat. This makes care relatively easy. Regular brushing, about once a week, will help remove loose fur and keep the coat healthy. The breed sheds moderately, but a little more fur may be lost during shedding. In addition to grooming, it is important to regularly brush their teeth, check their ears, and trim their claws. The Dutch Shepherd Dog (Shorthaired Pointer) is adapted to various climatic conditions and generally copes well with the German climate. The short coat offers some protection from excessive heat, but also from cold. However, in extreme weather conditions such as heat or cold, you should take appropriate precautions to protect your dog.
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This information is currently being reviewed by experts. If you discover an error, please send an email to info@honestdog.de!!
Health
No Health Tests Available
No specific health tests are currently available for this breed.
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