The Keeshond

The Wolfspitz is one of the oldest German dog breeds. In earlier years, in times without electricity and all the modern gadgets, dogs were our surveillance systems, who were supposed to be suspicious of strangers and quickly recognize who was friend and who was enemy.

Spitz dogs have passed this task on from generation to generation and are still good guardians of the house and yard today. As a visitor, it should therefore not be particularly surprising if you initially encounter a suspicious and barking wolfspitz. Once the owner has made their four-legged friend aware that the visitor is a friend of the house, the wolfspitz's demeanor will also change abruptly.

You will then experience him as a loving, playful and cuddly dog that seeks the attention of its owners. Once the initial excitement has passed, the Keeshond likes to retreat into a corner, curl up and observe what is happening in peace from there.

Keeshonds are very adaptable and have no problem living in the city or in the country. They are naturally rather undemanding and do not need to be walked for hours every day to work off energy. But they also enjoy long hikes. Keeshonds have that certain something, a complete package so to speak, and are very docile and loyal companion and family dogs.

The strong bond with people, their family, is what makes the Wolfspitz so special - it is a real all-rounder - whether protector, companion, watchdog or even nanny - Wolfspitz are real bodyguards with heart. So it is of course not surprising that they are also very affectionate. The Wolfspitz is actually always where its people are and feels most comfortable that way. Therefore, before purchasing a Wolfspitz, you should be aware that the Wolfspitz is by no means exclusively a farm dog - I don't even want to talk about kennel keeping!

Keeshonds accept pets of other breeds and are also very loving towards human offspring.

They belong to a very healthy, barely bred dog breed with high vitality and life expectancy.

Keeshonds can often be real clowns who join in on any fun. On the other hand, however, they can also be really stubborn, like small children, and use their cleverness to get around all the obedience they have already learned.

Britta Schweikl describes it in her book "The Wolfspitz/Keeshond" as follows:

"...he just won't come into the house this evening - all calling is useless. After the owner gives her voice a little more emphasis, the Keeshond gets up on all fours - looks at her - suddenly listens in the other direction - and runs briskly to the garden fence to bark around the area! There is really nothing worth barking at in sight: but he has expressed: "You see, I CAN'T come in, I have to keep watch out here URGENTLY!" After a few more calls that become more and more annoying, the clever one finally comes: but not in a straight line, of course, but casually strolling, sniffing here and peeing there, to get to the front door by chance and settle down next to the owner in the house: "Oh, I was just about to come..."

If you as a dog owner are aware of this fact, you also know that loud scolding and drilling will fall on deaf ears with wolfspitz dogs. People need a certain amount of empathy here.

Wolfspitz are very clean, don't drool, but lose a few hairs here and there in the house. You should also be aware of this fact before buying a Wolfspitz. Likewise, the long fur should of course be brushed once a week to prevent matting. However, you don't need to go to a dog salon for a Wolfspitz.

It is said that the breed does not have a strong hunting instinct. I can only confirm this about our wolfspitz. They are also not as wild in the house as other breeds. Even if our children have scattered all their Lego toys around the house or left other things lying around on the floor - we can rely on our wolfspitz not to eat, chew or deliberately destroy anything. Of course, this also requires a certain amount of training, because small wolfspitz puppies explore their surroundings just like small children - only with their noses. But once they are out of puppyhood, this is no longer an issue.

What can I say? I wouldn't want to be without my wolfspitz in my life! For me, they are the perfect family dogs, quite easy to train, totally loving, cuddly and in this stressful world always a kind of time out and balm for the soul.