Nederlandse Kooikerhondje — breed guide
A Dutch duck-decoy dog that lured ducks down canal traps by waving its white-plumed tail. Rebuilt from 25 dogs after WWII, so health-testing matters.
At a glance
- Group
- sporting
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 9–11 kg (20–24 lb)
- Life span
- 12–15 years
- Coat
- Medium-length, slightly wavy orange-and-white coat with black ear tips
Living with a Nederlandse Kooikerhondje
- High energy — needs real exercise every day, not a stroll.
- Regular grooming — brushing a few times a week.
- Moderate shedding.
- Quick to learn.
- Vocal when there is a reason.
- Good with children.
- Gets along with other dogs.
- Can live with a cat, with a slow introduction and an escape route for the cat.
- Suits apartment living, given its daily walks.
- A reasonable choice for a first-time owner.
- Average heat tolerance.
- Handles cold well.
Temperament
Cheerful · Sensitive · Alert · Reserved with strangers
Health to watch
- Von Willebrand disease
- Hereditary necrotising myelopathy
- Patellar luxation
- Epilepsy
Owner-logged information shared via Leash Life is not veterinary advice; ask your vet about screening for these.
Questions people ask
Is a Nederlandse Kooikerhondje good with kids?
Generally yes. Nederlandse Kooikerhondjes are usually good with children when raised with them and given their own quiet space.
Is a Nederlandse Kooikerhondje good with cats?
It can work, with management. Introduce them gradually, feed them apart, and make sure the cat has vertical space the dog cannot reach. Plan to manage it rather than assume it.
How much exercise does a Nederlandse Kooikerhondje need?
An hour or more of proper exercise every day.
Can a Nederlandse Kooikerhondje handle hot weather?
About average — use normal hot-day sense.
Leash Life keeps a Nederlandse Kooikerhondje's day — walks, meals, meds, weight — in one shared feed for the whole household, and warns on the walk weather this breed can't take. Free to start.