The Kooikerhondje is one of the most sporting and friendly dog breeds known and it is the right breed of dog to have for a small or big size family. These dogs belong to a very old dynasty.
They are a small spaniel-type breed of dog of Dutch ancestry.
At present this breed of dog is rapidly gaining popularity in every part of the world especially the United States, Canada, and Scandinavia. They have been given another name too because of their roots in the Netherlands making them known as Nederlandse Kooikerhondje and for short, we can call them Kooikers.
Kooikerhondje dogs are quite small, fluffy, orange-red and white spaniel-like sporting dogs.
The height of the males and females is medium length and can differ as the male can be up to 16 in and the female could be up to 15 in. There are different kinds of roles that Kooikerhondje dogs can play such as working dog, a watchdog, a companion dog, and also a hunting dog.
It can show two personalities also as both a sensitive and a dominant dog.
As they are very friendly in nature sometimes they can be very clingy towards their owners but they listen to their owners with great respect as their energy level is pretty good and if given the perfect amount of training they can show good obedience.
The coat of Nederlandse Kooikerhondje is very unique as it takes almost two years to become fully mature, full of shine and fur.
Another distinguishing feature of the dogs is that they have long black tips on their ears.
So let's explore interesting facts about the Kooikerhondje so that we can be aware of how to treat this good breed of dog. You may also like our articles on English foxhound and king shepherd facts.
Kooikerhondje Interesting Facts
What type of animal is a Kooikerhondje?
Kooikers are a type of dog. It is a dog which is found in the Netherlands around the 16th century and known to be a breed used to lure ducks into traps, as a decoy dog.
What class of animal does a Kooikerhondje belong to?
Kooikers belong to the Mammalia class of animals.
How many Kooikerhondjes are there in the world?
There is no specific count of how many Kooiker dogs are present in the world right now.
Where does a Kooikerhondje live?
You will mostly found these dogs in a house as a domestic pet. They aren't much of a dangerous dog, which makes them perfect to live everywhere as a pet dog.
What is a Kooikerhondje's habitat?
The Nederlandse Kooikerhondje was originally seen first in the lands of Netherlands where this dog breed used to live. They are kept as a pet and so are adjusted to the human habitat.
A habitat full of sports and space for activity is the best-suited habitat for this breed of decoy dog as they like dog sports and running around.
Who do Kooikerhondjes live with?
Kooiker dogs are so good-natured dogs that they can live with anyone. They are one of the best dog breed with another kind of energy level and if there is another breed of dog already living with you, then in that case too there's no such problem with Kooiker dogs.
How long does a Kooikerhondje live?
The lifespan of the Kooikers depends on the health condition which they prevail as there are many health issues which they usually face during their lifetime. But in general, the average life expectancy of the dog is around 12-14 years old
How do they reproduce?
Kooiker dogs reproduce through mating. Although, there might be certain restrictions in the case of these dogs when it comes to reproduction, or breeding, in order to have a puppy with full of health.
The age of the dogs must be something specific in both males and females. The male should be 15 months old to have a successful breeding session and females should be at 18 months old before they are taken for breeding.
What is their conservation status?
The conservation status of the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje is considered to be as Least Concern. There is no data provided in reference to whether the breed is endangered. These dogs can have a very healthy breeding session which will automatically help in maintaining the number of that particular dog, so we can safely assume that these dogs are not vulnerable.
Kooikerhondje Fun Facts
What do Kooikerhondjes look like?
The look of the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje or Kooikers is a very unique look as they are a medium-length orange-red and white spaniel-like sporting dog. The coat of the dog is also very unique as it takes almost two years to get fully matured with shiny fur and colors.
These dogs have long black tips on their ears. The tail is long and hangs down the back of its body.
It starts off in the orange-brown color and then becomes white until the end. Both the ears and tail are well-feathered. The whole body of the dog is covered in soft, silky fur.
Their underbelly is white. Due to their heavy furry body, these dogs really need a grooming session from time to time.
How cute are they?
On the cuteness meter, the Kooiker dog would get almost 10 out of 10 as they are very cute from their different looks and well-feathered ears and tail.
They literally can lure anyone no matter who is standing in front of them be it a human or any other female or male dog, they can really make you fall in love with them with their cuteness.
How do they communicate?
The Kooikers are very friendly dogs as they have been used as guard dogs or used to lure ducks in the time of 16th century in the Netherlands, which tells us a lot about their communication skills. They are pretty good at communication with the owners, but also it depends on their training.
These dogs are sensitive and intelligent and with a strong character, they need consistent, firm training with a calm voice, and yelling at them won't do any good instead, but rather it will damage them mentally.
Also, training shouldn't involve yelling at your dog as it creates the base of your further relationship with your dogs. In general, these Kooikerhondje bark occasionally.
How big is a Kooikerhondje?
The size of the Kooiker dogs is medium. When compared to other dogs such as American Staffordshire, they are small in size. The height of the males and females can be up to 16 in (40 cm) and up to 15 in (38 cm) respectively.
How fast can a Kooikerhondje run?
They can run at a pretty good speed, and with their beautifully furry body, they are quite easy to spot. Also, the breed is very active when it comes to dog sports or sports-related activities. It usually really enjoys dog sports. Sometimes it depends on their health too as this breed must be of good health to be active.
How much does a Kooikerhondje weigh?
Kooiker dogs weigh around 20-24 lb, which is very common for a dog breed and a good weight for them to still be active in dog sports.
What are their male and female names of the species?
There are no specified names for the male and female species of the Kooikerhondje, although there are certain names with which they are practically known like Nederlandse Kooikerhondje and Kooikers.
What would you call a baby Kooikerhondje?
We should definitely call a baby Kooikerhondje a Kooikerhondje puppy, like every breed of dog. It will perfectly suit them in all aspects especially as there is no name given to the Kooiker puppy specifically so far.
What do they eat?
They can eat any kind of dog food so long as it doesn't affect their health in any way. The only thing which has to be taken care of in their diet is that it has to be a very high-quality diet rich in protein.
You should consult the vet to learn more about the specific needs of your pet. You must also take care not to overfeed them as they can be prone to becoming overweight, as is the case with many a dog breed.
Are they slobbery?
No, they are not slobbery in kind of way, but again it depends on the way you train them and how much affection you show them too.
Would they make a good pet?
Yes, they would make a good pet, in fact they are only known as one of the best pet dogs one can have because of their friendly nature with humans.
Did you know...
If a Dutch Kooiker puppy doesn't have any black hair when they are born, they will not develop earrings in the future. The black tips at the end of the ears of this breed are known as earrings.
Let's talk about how to actually pronounce the name of the Kooikerhondje breed. It is pronounced as 'Koy-ker-hond-che.'
If you are looking to buy Kooiker breed dogs then the price of these white Dutch dogs with shiny coats can be average around $3000-$3500 USD.
Baroness van Hardenbroek van Ammerstol was a breeder of Dutch dogs who pretty much rescued the gorgeous Kooikers from near extinction in the 1940s.
History of the Kooikerhondje
The history of the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje breed is connected to 16th-century Dutch ancestry. They were very prominent at that time and were used as a decoy dog to lure ducks into the farms by wagging their well-feathered tails.
Getting your own Kooikerhondje
Dogs could be found in a pet shop near you or any breeder who can provide you with the right breed. It may cost you up to an average price of $3000-$3500 USD.
Despite the rather hefty price tag of this breed, your Kooiker will be a loyal, beautiful, and loving companion. You can always choose to adopt too.
With the right training and positive reinforcement, you'll have no trouble with this beautiful pup at home.
Be mindful that their soft silky coat needs grooming - a weekly brush should suffice for this coat. A bonus is that their coat is waterproof by nature and stays clean most of the time, so bathe only when you know it's got dirty.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals including Cesky terrier, or Spinone Italiano.
You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our kooikerhondje coloring pages.