Kooikerhondje

The Kooikerhondje is a dog breed originating in the Netherlands, bred to toll ducks, basically luring them into nets and traps during the 16th century. When not busy at the traps, it usually worked on the farm to catch vermin. It rose to popularity in the 17th and 18th century, and were favourite subjects in paintings. However, during the start of the 20th century, its popularity died down and its numbers significantly dropped at the onset of the Second World War. Breed enthusiasts were able help to avoid extinction and in 1971, the Kooiker was recognised by the Dutch Kennel Club.

The Kooiker was recognised shortly after by The Kennel Club under the Gundog group but in 2013, reclassified to the Utility group. The breed is credited to have helped develop the Nova Sotia Duck-Tolling Retriever. Although more people are showing interest in owning this delightful breed as a companion dog, its numbers remain low. Only a few puppies are registered in the UK every year.

Kooikerhondje is a charming orange-red parti-coloured dog with an alert and gentle expression. It is compact and medium-sized with a nearly square body, which is longer than it is tall. It has a curved skull that is as long as its muzzle, a strong jaw with a perfect scissor bite, a defined stop, almond-shaped brown eyes, and feathered pendant ears that are proportion with its head. Its neck is well muscled and moderately long, and body is muscular with a deep chest and well-sprung ribs. The Kooiker weighs 20 to 24 pounds and stands 35 to 42 centimetres.

The Kooiker’s coat is fine in texture, medium in length and close fitting, which can be straight or wavy and never curly. It has a shorter coat on its head, front part of the legs and feet, as well as a well-developed undercoat. Finally, its tail is well feathered. According to KC standards, the accepted colour is white with patches of clear red-orange; white blaze is preferred.

The Kooiker is highly trainable thanks to its intelligence and people-pleasing nature. That being said, it still needs to be handled gently yet firmly and taught who the alpha male in the family is so it knows whom to turn to for guidance. As a sensitive breed, it does not respond to harsh training. It actually loves getting one-on-one attention with positive reinforcements so trainings are easy.

Although there are certain breed predispositions when it comes to temperament and intelligence, they should only serve as a guide since each dog is unique. Other factors contributing to its overall characteristics are environment, training and socialisation.

• Senior and less active: up to 630 calories daily
• Typical adults: up to 700 calories daily
• Physically active/working dogs: up to 780 calories daily

The Kooikerhondje is a rare breed outside the Netherlands. If you are looking to own one in the UK, you have to be on a waiting list and prepare to pay no less than £900 to £1,000. Insurance costs for this breed will be around £25 to £45, depending on location, premium or whether the dog was neutered/spayed.

Prepare to spend around £200 for basic equipment as you take your puppy home, which will include its bed, toys, collar, leash, bowls, and others. Food costs will be around £30 to £40 a month. Another important and costly expense is veterinary care, which can reach up to £900 a year for regular check-ups, vaccinations and flea/worm treatments, and neutering/spaying.