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MediumNon-Sporting Group

Keeshond

The Keeshond is a Dutch Spitz-type companion and barge-watch dog, named after 18th-century Dutch Patriots party leader Cornelis de Gyselaer (Kees) who adopted the breed as his political symbol.

Calculate Keeshond age
Lifespan12.3 yrrange 11–14
SizeMediumNon-Sporting Group
Weight35–45 lb15.9–20.4 kg
Senior at7 yrgeriatric at 11

Gallery (3)

About

About the Keeshond

The Keeshond is a Dutch Spitz-type companion and barge-watch dog, named after 18th-century Dutch Patriots party leader Cornelis de Gyselaer (Kees) who adopted the breed as his political symbol. The silver-and-black wolf-gray coat is breed-defining.

Aging

How Keeshonds age

RVC VetCompass gives a median 12.3 years (n=226). Primary hyperparathyroidism (breed-specific with identified genetic mutation), hip dysplasia, and idiopathic epilepsy are the defining late-life concerns tracked on OFA and breed-club surveys.

Lifespan deep-diveAvg 12.3 yr · range 11–14Senior careSenior at 7 · geriatric at 11Common health issues6 tracked conditions
Physical

Physical characteristics

Weight
35–45 lb(15.9–20.4 kg)
Height
17–18 in(43.2–45.7 cm)
Coat type
Double
Colors
Black & SilverGray & BlackGray Cream & BlackGray Silver & BlackSilver & BlackWolfgray & BlackTawnySilverWhiteWolfgray
Temperament

Temperament

How Keeshonds tend to show up around their people, other dogs, and the world.

friendlylivelyoutgoingalert
  • Energy
  • Trainability
  • Good with kids
  • Good with other dogs
  • Shedding
Health

Common health issues

Full health profile
  • Moderatetypical onset ~2 yr

    Elbow Dysplasia

    Description and veterinary guidance for Elbow Dysplasia land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

  • Low prevalencetypical onset ~2 yr

    Patellar Luxation

    Description and veterinary guidance for Patellar Luxation land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

  • Low prevalencetypical onset ~7 yr

    Cataracts

    Description and veterinary guidance for Cataracts land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

Exercise
60min
per day

About 60 minutes of activity per day keeps a Keeshond physically and mentally satisfied. Split it between a structured walk and free play.

Related

Related breeds

Breeds with a similar size and group profile, for readers comparing options.

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References

Sources

Lifespan and health figures on this page are drawn from the peer-reviewed and organizational sources below.

  1. AKC breed standardAmerican Kennel Club breed page

    Breed size, weight range, height, AKC group, origin, coat type, and temperament baseline.

  2. RVC VetCompassRoyal Veterinary College VetCompass life-table research (McMillan et al. 2024)

    UK primary-care records; source for the median-lifespan and mortality figures.