Dutch Shepherds – A Glimpse into the Rare and Versatile Breed
Dutch Shepherd, a rare and beautiful breed of dog, was recently introduced to Indian dog owners. This breed is a close relative to the German Shepherd Dog (GSD) and the Belgian Shepherd Dog (GSD). It is rapidly gaining popularity in its second stage of life. The Dutch Shepherd, one of my favourite breeds, is one of very few breeds that has survived extinction and revival over many years. This process is still ongoing today.
Along with some other patrons, I introduced Dutch Shepherds in India. I was responsible to bring in four of the KNPV-Dutch Police Dog Program's formative dogs to India. Together with a few friends, we now have nearly 10 founding dogs who were brought to India. We have less than 20 progeny out of them and are still in the early stages of developing this breed.
The Dutch Shepherd is a beloved breed that has attracted the attention of many people, including Preity Zinta and MS Dhoni. It is an almost complete breed, with less recognition, as it checks in all points for me, whether it be looks, temperament, fitness, health, or temperament.
The International Police, Military, and Special Forces consider the Dutch Shepherd to be the best breed. We will likely soon deploy some of our Dutchies to the Indian defense forces and private security.
The history of the 'Dutchie’ is fascinating and will interest any dog lover. The Dutch affectionately call the dog 'Herder' because the Dutch referred to the original dogs as they closely resembled their Belgian or German counterparts. The standard herding companion who could also be used to pull carts and protect the flock.
The Dutch farmers love it. In 1898, the Dutch Shepherd was officially recognized as an official breed.
This breed was extinct after the First World War, and there were very few Dutchies left in Holland. This breed has been difficult to reintroduce over the years. Fans of 'Herders" would not hesitate to introduce GSD and Malinois blood to the breeding program in order diversify the gene pool.
FCI has approximately 2000-2500 Dutch Shepherds. They are willing to accept pure breeding from brindleherders.
The KNPV program of Dutch Police is likely to have many more Dutchies. They will accept Malinois as long as they have the right nerves, drive and temperament.
The current trend is to have the Dutch Shepherds be considered Dutch, while the solid-coloured Malinois would be considered Dutch. This is the view of KNPV breeders and trainers, while the FCI 'purists’ would disagree.
The Dutch Shepherd is large and muscular, and has a great appearance. The structure is generally well-squared. The body length to height ratio should be approximately 10:9 according to the breed standard.
They are usually between 25-32 kg in weight. However, there are some large specimens in KNPV because of the variety of genes from different breeds. A few weigh between 45-60 kg, according to me. These giant Dutchies may not be considered standard, but they can be a valuable addition to the elite protection dogs clients.
Their height is between 22 and 25 inches at their withers. However, some may be larger. This breed is very rare.
Three types of Dutch shepherd coat are available to the dog owner:
Short-haired: This is the most popular and most desired of all three varieties. It has a similar coat to the Malinois. They don't require any special grooming and are therefore easy to manage in military and defense forces.
Long-haired Dutchie: This breed is more common with herding dog handlers. In terms of length, this dog is similar to the GSD and Belgian Tervuren. The breeders who produce long-haired dogs are few, and occasionally a puppy may be born with a recessive gene.
The Wire Haired: This breed is slowly rising in popularity and attention. It is a rough-looking breed that some people think looks like a wolf, while others compare it to the Beauceron. Some wire-haired Dutchies are employed in professional security roles.
Their charming temperament is one of the reasons I love Dutchies. The Dutch shepherd is an energetic, high-energy dog with unending stamina. Their athleticism allows them to accomplish remarkable feats and challenges that most other dog breeds can't physiologically match.
The dog is balanced and has an on/off switch that allows them to interact with humans. They are loyal to their pack and their trainer.
They are highly intelligent and alert, making them the ideal breed to protect and guard the home and family after a long day of work. They are not easily tired and will always stand up for their family when needed.
This breed has one of the highest prey drives. It is an excellent dog for experienced handlers. However, novice handlers might find it difficult to manage at times.
They are very social and flexible for their temperament. If they are raised from the beginning, they will be able to adjust easily with other dogs and children. As long as the family takes care of their needs, they can adapt to any living environment.
A favorite aspect of this breed that I love is their health, which could easily be considered one of the top ten breeds in the world. The Dutchie, like my Malinois is another breed I seldom need to take to the vet for routine visits or vaccinations.
The likelihood of this breed developing genetic diseases is very low. It has a chance of catching allergies, myopathy, and other issues. The possibility of hip and elbow dysplasia cropping up is also very low. This may be due to the German Shepherd Dogs that were used in the past to revive them.
Based on my experience with working breeds, there is an important point to remember. It is important to provide the dog with the proper training and exercise throughout their lives. This will greatly impact their health and lifestyle.
These dogs become less active and have a duller coat. This can lead to health problems.
A happy, healthy dog is one that's active and well-behaved.
Dutch Shepherd Dogs are a wonderful dog for dog owners who don't have the time to groom their dog. This breed is easy to handle, and they would do fine even if we only brush them twice or three times a week.
However, the wire-haired or longer haired varieties would require more frequent exercise.
Due to their low exercise requirements, the Dutchies with shorter hair are more popular among security and defense forces.
Working Dutchies will need to have their nails filed during activity. However, we must be careful about keeping track of their nail length and condition so that they can keep their paws in good condition. It is vital to keep your dog safe from injury. Nails that are too long or ingrown could cause them to become infected.
Their exercise needs are one of the most important aspects of living with a Dutch Shepherd, a highly-skilled working breed. These dogs can become neurotic and have severe behavioral problems if they are not exercised and stimulated mentally and physically. They can also leap very high so it is easy to get out of a kennel.
It is crucial to care for the dog's bones and muscles in their early years. Multiple short sessions of exercise and different types of exercise are better than one exhausting and tedious one. This can hinder the dog's growth, motivation, and overall fitness.
If trained to be a peaceful companion, the Dutchie can make a great running or cycling partner. If their prey drive isn't properly channeled from an early age, they can be dangerous with cyclists or runners.
The Dutchies love tug-and-bite, so this would be a great exercise for them. This game is great for both young pups and those who are still in their teething period. Before engaging in such activities, it is a good idea to seek professional guidance. Once they start to train for protection, the tug and bite pillows games are very beneficial. Regular tug sessions in various environments will increase the dog's ability to bite and take pressure.
A Dutch Shepherd adult needs to exercise at least one hour per day in a variety of forms. Dogs can get bored of repeating the same exercise over and over again. The most important thing to remember is that dog's mental and physical health is directly related to how consistent and quality of exercise their handlers provide.
This is my favorite part of the article. It's also the best aspect for the breed. This dog is truly a "trainer's breed". A Dutch Shepherd is a great choice for anyone who is passionate about dogs and tries to get their true nature out. The Dutch Shepherd is a versatile dog that can be trained to guard, track, sniff, detect, herd, pull carts, and perform other advanced tasks. Dog sports like agility, dock diving, bite sports etc. Know the true value of the Dutch Shepherd.
I recommend that you have done your research on a trusted trainer who has a track record of successfully training these breeds before you consider purchasing a puppy. A Dutchie that is stable and well socialized early on will be able to appreciate the benefits of sights, sounds, smells, and sounds. It is strongly recommended that a Dutchie be trained in a crate, especially if there are children and elders or other dogs living with the family. While they aren't dangerous to anyone, leaving them open for the whole day is a license to be very notorious.
If they are exercised and trained, they can be great family pets. This dog is my favorite because it protects family and personal property. Remember that no dog comes naturally with the right training, drive, or instincts. While a good trainer and owner can help the dog get the best from them, it can be hard to get the results you want if the dog is not trained properly.
Let me close by asking readers to think for their own purposes. Is your Dutch Shepherd the right owner? They are beautiful and they have a high work ethic. Their rarity and reputation compliment their health and full qualities. It is a mistake to get this dog because of their reputation or status. Make sure you do your research thoroughly and make wise decisions. The Dutch Shepherds are not cheap, but they can be a long-term investment. If you don't have the energy, time or funds to manage this dog, do not buy it. The cost of a Dutchie puppy is between $2000-3000, but it's a worthwhile investment. We save money on vet bills, excessive training and damage costs by focusing on the quality of our dog. Set aside enough money for equipment, early training, and courses for yourself.
We wish you all the best with this underrated breed of dog! Keep checking for the creature companion.
