Protection Dog Breeds we offer:

German Shepherd Dog | Boxer Dog | Doberman Pinscher | Belgian Malinois

Bouvier des Flandres | Giant Schnauzer | Dutch Shepherd Dog | Rottweiler | Airedale Terrier

(Click on the above links to learn about each breed)

Dutch Shepherd

(Hollandse Herdershond)

The Dutch Shepherd in Short:

The Dutch Shepherd is intelligent, loyal, has strong protective instincts, and excels as a guard dog. It tends to be dominant by nature, however once its trainer has the dog's respect it is very tractable and obedient, and because of its intelligence it responds very quickly to firm, consistent training methods. Dutch Shepherds are often "one person" dogs, being the most loyal to just one person. However, they make good family dogs as they are playful, affectionate, and active.

The short-haired Dutch Shepherd is used extensively throughout Europe and the United States as a working dog, primarily in police service, although they are also used in search and rescue as well as personal protection. One reason Dutch Shepherds are increasingly popular with police agencies is because they are smaller than German Shepherds, and therefore easier for handlers to pick up and carry, when duty necessitates doing so. The courage of Dutch Shepherds is quickly becoming legendary among police K9 handlers. Another reason for this increase in popularity is that the Dutch Shepherd breed has not been subject to extensive breeding for type as has the German Shepherd (there is really no 'show' Dutch Shepherd Dog). This type of breeding can adversely affect the health and temperament of the individual dog as well as the breed. For example the preference for the German Shepherd's sloping back has resulted in a 10% incidence of hip dysplasia compared to a 1% incidence found among the Dutch Shepherd breed.

Temperament of the Dutch Shepherd:

The Dutch Shepherds are among the most competent of all shepherd dogs at such tasks as agility, catch, obedience competitions, guard dog work, protective duties, herding, field trailing and companionship. The Dutch Shepherd is attached to its territory, and an enthusiastic worker. Dutch Shepherd dogs are affectionate, happy to be around, they are obedient, sober and very loyal to their handler and family. The Dutch Shepherd is friendly, loving, playful and highly energetic. The Dutch Shepherd is a very happy dog that "smiles" a lot. The Dutch Shepherd is cunningly smart. Provided children let the Dutch Shepherds have some peace when they want it, they can also be good friends with them. Unwanted visitors will be stopped in their tracks, while known family friends will be greeted enthusiastically. Dutch Shepherds enjoy the company of their own kind and get along fine with other animals. The Dutch Shepherd is intelligent, easy to obedience train and eager to learn - they learn new commands quite easily. The Dutch Shepherd breed makes an excellent watch dog, guard dog and personal protection dog. The Dutch Shepherd is active, lively and alert. The short-haired variety Dutch Shepherd is the most common sort for defense and police dog trials. The Dutch Shepherd needs little care and can withstand fatigue and bad weather.

Description of the Dutch Shepherd:

The Dutch Shepherd comes in three varieties: long-haired (long, straight, flat and harsh), short-haired (fine and dense) and wire-haired (medium length and wiry). Show Dutch Shepherd dogs should not display much white on their chest and feet. Although the coat types vary, the color possibilities remain the same for each Dutch Shepherd: various shades of brindle, including gray, yellow, silver, red or gold brindle, and blue. The short-haired variety Dutch Shepherd is very widespread in Holland, while the wire-haired is less common and the long-haired is very rare. The Dutch Shepherd's body is muscular and symmetrical. The Dutch Shepherd's muzzle is long and the teeth are strong and regular. The Dutch Shepherd's eyes are dark and slightly slanting and the relatively small ears are stiffly erect. The Dutch Shepherd's tail is slightly curved. The Dutch Shepherd's chest and belly are deep and not too drawn up. The Dutch Shepherd's feet are relatively small and do not have dewclaws. The Dutch Shepherd's toes are well arched. The Dutch Shepherd's nails and pads are black. Protective hair grows between the toes on the Dutch Shepherd.

Height, Weight of the Dutch Shepherd:

Height:  22-25 inches (55-63cm.)

Weight: 65-67 pounds (29.5-30.5 kg.)

Health Problems of the Dutch Shepherd:

*None that are very well known or documented (the Dutch Shepherd is very similar to the Belgian Malinois, so one can assume similar health issues to the Malinois)

Living Conditions of the Dutch Shepherd:

The Dutch Shepherd will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. Their all-weather coat enables them to do well in cold climates.

Required Exercise of the Dutch Shepherd:

Dutch Shepherds need to be kept both physically and mentally exercised. Because the Dutch Shepherd wants to work, run them through a regular drill at least twice per week. They make great jogging companions. Let it run beside a bicycle, or take it into the woods or open countryside where it can run to its heart is content.

Life Expectancy of the Dutch Shepherd:

About 12-14 years.

Grooming of the Dutch Shepherd:

Both long and short-haired varieties of the Dutch Shepherd require regular grooming with a comb and brush to remove the dead and loose hairs. The wire-haire coated Dutch Shepherd should be plucked professionally twice a year. The hair can be clipped in a few places as a finishing touch. The excess hair on the ears should be removed. The wire-haired variety should never be brushed, although combing is fine in moderation. A coarse comb should always be used. Bathe the all-weather coat only when necessary, as it will remove the natural oils in the skin.

Origin of the Dutch Shepherd:

The Dutch Shepherd is remarkably similar to their Belgian cousins - the Belgian Shepherds, but with perhaps more German Shepherd Dog blood in its ancestry. In fact the Dutch Shepherds and the Belgian Shepherds are judged by the same standard requirements except for color. Curiously, while the related Belgian shepherds have become well known in the United States and northern Europe, this excellent service dog has not attracted a following outside the Netherlands. Even there numbers are limited, with only around 400 Dutch Shepherds registered each year. Almost unknown outside Holland, the Dutch Shepherd is valued there for its ability as a herder and for its quick reflexes. Originally an all-purpose farm guard, herder, cart-puller, guard, police K9 and security dog. The Dutch Shepherd breed, in its various coat textures, evolved in the early 1800's in the southern part of the Netherlands, especially the province of Brabant, and in neighboring Belgium, which was then part of the Netherlands. Division by coat texture occurred when dog shows began 100 years ago. Dutch Shepherd puppies with short tails and white markings are frequently born but are not favorable to show people.

Group of the Dutch Shepherd:

Herding, Protection, Working

Recognition of the Dutch Shepherd:

CKC, FCI, NKC, APRI, ACR

Photographs of the Dutch Shepherd: Coming Soon

The Dutch Shepherd

Dutch Shepherd Puppies

Dutch Shepherd snuggling with a Lamb friend

Dutch Shepherd with Children

 

Dutch Shepherd Working:

Dutch Shepherd Hunting for Foul in Europe

 

Dutch Shepherd Agility:

Dutch Shepherd running an Obstacle Course

Dutch Shepherd Jumping over Agility Fence/Wall

Dutch Shepherd Walking an Elevated Agility Plank

Dutch Shepherd Advanced Agility

 

Dutch Shepherd Playing:

Dutch Shepherd Playing with Toy

The Dutch Shepherd Playing in the Snow

The Dutch Shepherd Swimming

 

Dutch Shepherd Advanced Obedience

The Dutch Shepherd Advanced Obedience

 

Dutch Shepherd Personal Protection

Dutch Shepherd Protecting an Automobile

Dutch Shepherd Protection Trained

The Dutch Shepherd can also be Trained for many other tasks:

Dutch Shepherd Tracking