The keeshond descended from the same artic strains that produced the Samoyed,Spitz and the Norwegian Elkhound.
The sole difference between the German Spitzes is the coloring and size guidelines. Although many American references point to the Keeshond as we know it orginated in the Netherlands, the breed is cited as being part of the German Spitz family and originating in Germany along with the Pomeranian(toy or dwarf German Spitz)and the American Eskimo dog (small or standard German Spitz.)
In Holland,"Keeshond" is the term for German Spitzes that encompass them all from the toy (Pomeranian) to the wolfspitz (Keeshond).
While the Pug was enjoying the life and company of the wealthy and the noble in Holland, the Keeshond was the conpanion of the working class.They were used as watch dogs ,good luck companions, and vermin controllers on riverboats, farms, and barges. The Keeshond on the barges became poplar because these were the ones being seen going up and down the Rhine river. It became so common to see them that they were called the "Dutch Barge Dogs."
The Keeshond is a very old breed and never intended to hunt, kill animals or attack criminals accounts for its gentleness and devotion.
A painting from the 17th century shows the master being buried and his family gather around his gravesite. With them there is a dog that resembles a Keeshond grieving with them.
The word "Keeshond" is a compound word; "Kees" is a nickname for Cornelius (de Gyselaer) and "hond" is a Dutch word for dog.
The government leader in the 17th century Holland, Prince of Orange, was often seen in public with his little Pug dog, Pompey. Opposing him politically were the Patriots, the party of the people. Their leader was Cornelis (Kees) de Gyselaer. He had a dog, also named Kees, whose picture was used as the symbol for the Patriot Party. The patriots were defected, however, and many Keeshond were destroyed to devour any connection with the failed party. The only Kees that remained were a few on barges and farms.
The Barges were being build bigger and larger breeds of dogs were being used on the barges. The furture look grim for the Keeshond.
The Keeshond was not revived until nearly a century later though Baroness Van Hardenbroek and Miss J.D. Vander Blom. Throughout the late 1800's, Keeshonden had appeared in England under names of "Fox-Dogs," "Overweight Pomeranians", and "Dutch Barge Dogs." This British dog was the progeny of the German Wolfspitz crossed with a percentage of the Dutch imports.
After the turn of the 20th century, Mrs.Wingfield-Digby aroused great interest in England. She lived in the magnificent surrounds of Sherborn Castle in Dorset. In October 1925 Mrs. Wingfield-Digby was fundamental in starting "The Dutch Barge Dog Club." The name was changed a year later to "The Keeshond Club" in 1926 at the request of the Kennel Club and was formed "Keeshond" as the official name.
The Keeshond became the national dog of Holland! Were is that Pug now?
With rare exceptions, the Kees in the United States are derived from the British breeding.
Father Of The American Keeshond
Carl Hinderer in 1926 introduced the first Keeshond into the United States. Carl Hinderer was born in Stuttgart, Germany on April 26, 1900. He and his brothers and sisters were part of a dog-loving family. Carol's father was a breeder of Dachshunds and surpported his family and dogs as an industrialist and real estate agent. While visiting a local German show in 1921 Carl became smitten by the Kees through a chance meeting with Miss J. G. van der Blom of Holland. He gained his foundation puppy as the start of his Scloss Abelsburg Kennel in Feb. 1922. This kennel name he brought with him when at 23 he emigrated to Baltimore, Maryland to live with his sister. His first Keeshonden followed him two by two in 1926. Though the Keeshond was not an AKC recognized breed Carol attended local shows, joined the Maryland KC and began working for his breed's recognition. Breeding was slow since the name Wolfspitz did not ring favorably with the American fancier. Without AKC recognition registration of the Kees was Difficult even though they were of German championship stock. It was necessary to register each puppy with the club in Germany and apply for German pedigrees. Though he was a recognized kennel club menber Carl's dogs were not eligible to compete in AKC events. At Baltimore show in 1928-29 Mr.Boswell,president of the Maryland Kennel Club drew Carl and the dogs aside and judged them in the corner of the building. In 1930 Carl and his wife along with Wachter, his first import, planned a return visit to Germany. While pasting through New York City Carl visited the offices of AKC and presented Wachter. AKC president, Dr. DeMond was so impressed with his quality of Wachter and Hinderer's persistent correspondence to their offices he asked Carl to bring all the breed's data back from Germany to begin the recognition process.In addition, at President Dr. DeMond's request Carol translated the breed standard into English and agreed to the Dutch name of Keeshond. 1930 was a great year for the Hinderers. They became American citizens and their beloved Keeshonden received AKC recognition with Carl's bitch Bella von Trennfeld receiving the first registration. The next four years saw great progress for Carl Hinderer as he bred and exhibited a growing colony of Keeshonden. The first Kee was judged in the ring by a licensed judge on Feb.6-7,1931. Just two days before the event Carl's dogs nearly missed the show when they left their kennel through a hole cut in the fence. The story reached the Maryland newspapers. The dogs were returned just hours before show time and Carl's Wachter took Winners and Best of Breed. Carl's joy came to an end a short time later when 17 of his dogs were lost to "contagion" going through the kennel. There were just three survivors. Wachter among them.1932-1933 records show none of the Hinderer's dogs being exhibited. About this time Carl judged Keeshonden by special permission as an honorary judge at the Maryland KC show. In 1934 Hinderer competed at his last show with 10 year old Wachter taking the breed under judge Grass of New York. Wachter lived to 14 when in 1938 he died of poisoning. Carl, saddened by the loss of Wachter, buried this faithful friend in the family flower garden and completely withdrew from the Keeshond world. After retiring from the tool and die-making trade with Western Electric, the Hinderers went west to visit their two married children. It was during this visit that Carl saw his first Keee in 25 years and also struck up a corresponding friendship with Robin Stark. Not until 1963 did Carl Hinderer surface again with a visit to the Maryland KC show and the capital Keeshond meeting. It was here in a voice filled with emotion that Carl Hinderer divulged his historical significance to a fascinated audience of the Keeshond fanciers. Though Carl Henderer never expected to receive such a tribute he was named honorary lifetime member of the Capital Keeshond Club. Whether true or not, rumor had it that he also received a gift-Keeshond puppy from one of the Capital Club's breeders.It makes one feel good to believe Carl Hinderer at last had another love of his life. a Keeshond.
Mrs. Virginia Ruttkay pioneered Keeshond breeding in the Eastern US, founding her kennel in 1946. Mr. and Mrs. Porter Washington of California purchased their first keeshond in 1932, providing foundation stock for many successful Westeren kennels.
The Keeshond Club of America, as later it was name, was organized in 1935. The Nationals is held once a year for the club members to get together and show their Kees.
With the spinning wheel these beautiful garments are made from the nice coats of the Keeshond.
