Standards

Brief History

The kooikerhondje is an old Dutch breed which was very popular in the 17th and 18th centuries, but which declined and was rescued from almost total obscurity by Mrs. M. C. S. Baroness van Hardenbroek van Ammerstol after the second world war.

Despite a long history, the breed was only officially recognized by the Dutch Kennel Club in 1971. The kooikerhondje has long worked as an able assistant to duck hunters along the canals of the Netherlands. A glamorous dog depicted in old paintings, it is now popular as a companion.

Characteristics

This little dog is a true sporting companion with a lively temperament. The kooiker’s affectionate and sturdy nature makes it a delightful family dog. They get along well with children and small animals provided they are raised with them, and child and dog have been taught to respect each other. This breed is happy and self-assured, yet cautious with strangers and other dogs.

Their temperament should be neither aggressive nor anti-social. They are intelligent, eager to learn, and sensitive to tone of voice, which means that a tough approach is not necessary; however, the handler must be firm, or risk bringing out the breed’s dominant trait. In short, the kooikerhondje is cheerful, not noisy, very dependent on its domestic environment, friendly, good natured, and alert.

The Dutch Kooikerhondje has an attractive, friendly appearance. But there is a lot of temperament in this breed. For the original work in the duck-decoy, steady, self-assured behavior was a must since the ducks were lured and not chased.

The dog worked with a waving bushy tail, a sign of sufficient confidence. He had to walk calmly alongside and between the fences away from the “Decoy” so the dog could be seen clearly in several different places for a short time by the ducks. This stimulated the curiosity of the ducks, who were lured by this and followed swimming further and further into the catch-pipe and finally into the trap, where they could be caught by the decoy-man (kooiker).

Outside the hunting season the dog had to destroy vermin, for which a certain fierceness, rapidity and hardness was required. The co-operation with the decoy-man for all the work in the decoy was a must. Hence the attentive attitude and the will to please. The work demanded perseverance and stamina as well.

Today’s kooikerhondje should still have all these necessary qualities. Aggression caused by fear or overly dominant behavior towards people and dogs is definitely undesirable. The dog should go free and fearless around the show ring with sufficient confidence to allow himself to be handled by the judge with friendliness and indifference. Ducking away and/or lunging indicates fear and is an obviously undesirable behavior.

Source: Dutch Kooikerhondje Club Breeding Regulations

General Appearance

Resembling a small-sized setter or spaniel, the kooikerhondje is an attractive, medium-sized dog with a small head, lean muzzle, and drop ears set high and forward. The ears have distinctive black tips, or earrings, which is a particular feature of the breed. The length of the body is slightly more than the height at the shoulder.

The medium-long, slightly wavy coat is white with bright patches of color varying from orange to deep chestnut red. The tail is well-feathered and predominately white. Almond-shaped eyes are dark brown, with a friendly, alert expression.

Head

Skull:	sufficiently broad, moderately curved.
Stop:	clear, but not too deep.
Nose:	black.
Muzzle:	not too deep in profile.
Lips:	not overhanging.
Cheekbones:	properly filled.
Pattern:	preferably blaze, coloured cheeks.
Eyes:	almond shaped, dark brown with a friendly alert expression.
Ears:	medium sized, set on just above the line from the point of the nose to the corner of the eye; no white; hanging close to the cheeks. Long feathered, black tips (earrings) are preferred.
Teeth:	the standardbite is scissors, pincer bite is admitted.

Neck
Straight and well muscled.

Brisket

Back:	strong.
Chest:	Deep with sufficient spring of ribs.
Tale:	Carried on level with back or slightly above; not curled. Well feathered with a white plume, the last vertebra reaching the hock.

Legs and feet

Forelegs:	Straight and not too heavily feathered.
Hindquarters:	Breeches long feathering; no feathering below the hock; the tarsal joint sufficiently angulated.
Feet:	Small, with toes close; covered with short hair.

Gait/Movement
Should be flowing and springy, not stepping.

Growth of hair
Medium long, with a slight wave or straight; no curls and close fitting. Hair not too fine, well developed undercoat, easily kept.

Colour
Distinct and clear orange-red patches on white. Colour should dominate. Black and white, and three-coloured dogs are not admitted.

Height
At the shoulder about 35-40 centimetres, or 11 to 16 inches.

Weight

Between 9 and 11 kilograms, or about 20 to 25 pounds.

Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

As of  September 24 1991, approved by The Dutch Kennel Club.