Are Dutch Shepherds Good Family Dogs?
What Is A Dutch Shepherd?
The Dutch Shepherd is a herding dog of Dutch origin. They were used by shepherds and farmers who needed a versatile dog.
The dog was used for a variety of purposes, including herding, tracking, law enforcement, and as a loyal companion with few demands. The breed is known for its loyalty, intelligence, and trainability and is easy to train.
They became popular in the 19th century after the publication of “The Dog of Mr. Van Gogh” in 1887, and have enjoyed widespread popularity ever since. The name Dutch Shepherd refers not to the country of origin, but rather to the “Dutch” shepherds who brought the first strains of this dog to the Netherlands.
The dogs were originally bred in Germany. In the Netherlands, the breed has become known as the Wolfshepherd (Dutch: Wolfshond) or Dutch Shepherd, although this name is also used in North America and other countries by other breeds. In the UK the breed is known as the German Shepherd Dog.
Do Dutch Shepherds Shed?
Yes, Dutch Shepherds do shed. In fact, they are considered a moderate to heavy shedder. This is because they have a double coat, which means they have both an outer coat and an undercoat. The outer coat is made up of longer, coarser hairs, while the undercoat is made up of shorter, softer woolly hairs.
The undercoat shed once or twice a year, while the outer coat shed only during heavy shedding periods. Undercoat helps to insulate the dog and keep them warm in colder climates.
When the Dutch Shepherd sheds, they will lose both the outer coat and the undercoat by ridding themselves of their two coats. Shedding season lasts from mid-spring to early fall.
Shedding can be reduced by clipping the dog’s hair around the neck and chest area. If a Dutch Shepherd develops mange or skin issues due to excessive shedding, it is recommended that seek for a vet advice.
They will require daily brushing (which is not recommended to be done with a wire brush) to remove dead hair and dirt. You need to be attentive so that you will know if your dog needs regular brushing, or if they are shedding excessively.
How Long Do Dutch Shepherds Live?
Dutch Shepherds typically have a lifespan of 10-14 years, though some may live as long as 15 years with proper care. Dutch Shepherds are a loyal and intelligent breed of dog that make great companions. They are also known for their athleticism and trainability, which make them popular dogs for a variety of activities such as agility, obedience, tracking, and herding.
Dutch Shepherds are a medium-sized breed, standing 21-26 inches tall at the shoulder and weighing 60-100 pounds. They are strong and muscular dogs, with a rectangular-shaped head and erect ears. Their coat is short hair and dense, wire hair (also called rough hair), and long hair.
They come in a variety of colors including brindle, salt & pepper, gold brindle, silver brindle, gray brindle, blue gray.
How Much Is A Dutch Shepherd?
Dutch Shepherds are available for purchase from breeders and various online pet stores. Prices vary from $1000 to $2000 or more, depending on the breeder, location, and lineage of the dog. A reputable breeder will typically charge from $1500 or even more for a Dutch Shepherd puppy.
Be sure to ask your breeder about health guarantees (common defects such as hip and elbow dysplasia are covered by most reputable breeders), meet current generation dogs, lineage of the dog and visit their primary residence before purchasing a pup.
Rescue dogs typically charge $100 to $500 because they are usually older dogs and may have unwanted training or behavior issues.
Puppies under 5 months old may not be a good match for you, as there are risks involved with young puppies. Prices on pet store websites will often vary greatly, so check around to find the best price.
Are Dutch Shepherds Good Family Dogs?
Yes, Dutch Shepherds are good family dogs. They are intelligent, loyal, and protective, making them excellent guards dogs. They are also gentle and affectionate with their families, which makes them great companions.
Dutch Shepherds are not recommended for families with small children, however, as they can be quite protective of their families and may view small children as a threat. They are also not a good fit for families with cats, because they have a tendency to chase them.
How Big Do Dutch Shepherds Get?
Dutch Shepherds are medium-sized dogs that typically grow to be between 21 and 26 inches tall at the shoulder, and weighing 60-100 pounds.
In addition to their height, Dutch Shepherds are known for their large bone structure, which makes them similar in size to the German Shepherd. The Dutch Shepherd growth size depend on its lineage, genetics, and overall health.
How Long Do Dutch Shepherds Live?
Dutch Shepherds is typical for medium-sized dogs with an average lifespan of 10-14 years. Many factors can affect a dog’s lifespan including genetics, care, and lifestyle.
Are Dutch Shepherds Rare?
The Dutch shepherd is still considered a rare breed to this day. The only thing that separates it from being “rare” is the fact that there are more and more people adopting Dutch shepherds as a way to get a family dog.
Another factor that helps the breed is that it does not produce as many puppies as other breeds which also help increase the breed’s popularity. Therefore, Dutch Shepherds are rare but not as common as other dogs.
Are Dutch Shepherds Dangerous?
A Dutch Shepherd is not typically aggressive, but there is a chance that they can nip and snarl at strangers if they are not properly trained and socialized sufficiently at early age.
If this were to happen, it would most likely be because the owner has not trained, socialized, and exercised the dog sufficiently. This is especially true if the stranger is off-balance or larger than the dog itself.
It is instinctive for a Border Collie to herd livestock, but it also has been bred to be a working dog. As such, Border Collies still have some instinctive behaviors of herding and can develop a “wariness” of strangers, especially if they are bigger than the dog itself.
What Is A Dutch Shepherd Dog?
Dutch Shepherds, also called Holland Shepherds, are a relatively rare breed of dog originally developed in the Netherlands. Dutch Shepherds were bred to herd and guard sheep. They have been discovered outside the Netherlands in countries such as the United States and Canada where they are known as Dutch Schapendoes.
Dogs are used by Dutch shepherds for all-around farm work, and most noteworthy for their intelligence and trainability. They are described as a jack-of-all-trades, ranging from ratting to herding, as well as working in search and rescue. Dutch shepherds are highly intelligent dogs with a strong herding instinct for sheep and other smaller livestock. The dog earned its name when it was used in the Dutch flocking system.
The dog is a relatively small animal, standing 21 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder and weighing in between 60 and 100 pounds. Unlike most dogs today, the Dutch shepherd has erect ears that are not folded and rounded.
Their body is square-shaped with a wedge-shaped head, with the muzzle of the dog being straight or slant. The eyes are usually dark in color, however there have been only a few instances where they have been light in color.
What Does A Dutch Shepherd Look Like?
The long, black noses and muzzles of the German Shepherds add to their signature look. They are very trainable and enjoy working with people.
The German Shepherd is a very common breed that can be found in all types of homes, from apartment buildings to suburban houses. These gentle and people-oriented dogs are a great addition to most households.
The coat of a Dutch Shepherd can be either short-hair (tight fitting with a wooly undercoat), long-hair (mid length and straight with a wooly undercoat), or rough-hair (dense, harsh with a wooly undercoat) in texture. The coat changes color with the seasons, ranging from dark-gray to black and may even have an overlay of white on their feet and tail.
When Do Dutch Shepherds Stop Growing?
The first six months of growth typically see dramatic growth, and the final 6-8 months see less rapid growth. The average Dutch Shepherd will reach their full adult size by 12-14 months of age.
After this time, the growth rate will slow down and the height of the dog will stabilize. At this age , the dog’s rate of growth will decrease up until about 18 to 24 months of age, at which point the rate of growth will be very minimal.
Are Dutch Shepherds Hypoallergenic?
Dutch Shepherds are not hypoallergenic dogs, they are just not as allergenic as most other dogs because they are sheepdogs. Their coats contain several types of protein that causes allergy in humans.
People with allergies are advised to avoid owning a Dutch Shepherd as this can leads to a life long allergic reaction. The AKC list some breeds that are hypoallergenic but Dutch Shepherds aren’t considered to be one of them.
Where To Buy A Dutch Shepherd?
If you are interested in purchasing this dog, then there are lots of sources for your purchase. In addition, you can also found mixed reviews on the different sites selling these dogs.
You will be able to find them at most large chain pet stores and at a lot of online pet stores that specialize in exotic puppies and dogs. The best way to get the best price on a Dutch Shepherd puppy is to go directly through the breeder or through an online store that specializes in breeding animals like this one.
This dog is easy to train and make great companions for children. They are playful and affectionate with the family, but they can be aggressive when confronted by strangers. This dog has a lot of energy and requires a lot of exercise every day. It will happily run alongside you while you walk or jog and it loves playing outdoors.
