The Kooikerhondje, also known as the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje, is a former hunting dog from the Netherlands that is primarily used as a family pet today. Here in the profile, you’ll find information about the breed’s history, care, and maintenance.

History of the Kooikerhondje

The origin of the Kooikerhondje lies with Dutch hunting dogs used for duck hunting. Since the Middle Ages, hunters have employed these dogs in specialized trapping facilities for duck hunting. These so-called “duck decoys” gave the hunting dogs their name. They consist of a decoy pond with a decoy bush where waterfowl hide.

Duck hunting was carried out using cages and traps, with the dog acting as the “decoy.” Its task was to enter the trap so that only the white tip of its tail was visible from the shore. The curious ducks followed the wagging tail into the trap, where the hunter could easily retrieve them. At home, these agile dogs were used for pest control and guarded their family’s property.

Despite their excellent hunting abilities, the dogs nearly became extinct during World War II. However, Baroness van Hardenbroek van Ammerstol vigorously advocated for the preservation of Dutch dogs.

In 1939, she established a new breeding program from the approximately twenty remaining animals. The female dog “Tommie” is now considered the matriarch of all Kooikerhondjes. Recognition by the Raad van Beheer occurred in 1971. The FCI classified the dogs in Group 8 “Retrievers – Flushing Dogs – Water Dogs,” Section 2 “Flushing Dogs,” in 1990. Today, around 500 puppies are registered annually.

Nature and Character

The Kooikerhondje is a lively and cheerful companion dog, loyal and cooperative to its owner. This intelligent dog is easy to train and exudes joy for life. It is not a barker and tends to be reserved towards strangers.

It also behaves shyly towards other dogs and never reacts with aggression. The Kooiker is playful and spirited but behaves cautiously when playing with children. Indoors, the affectionate dog enjoys cuddling and receiving attention. Due to its calm and adaptable nature, it is a pleasant companion for families.

Affection Level	High
Friendliness	Medium
Kid-Friendly	Medium
Pet-Friendly	Medium
Exercise Needs	Medium
Playfulness	High
Energy Level	Medium
Trainability	High
Intelligence	High
Tendency to Bark	Low
Amount of Shedding	Medium

Appearance of the Kooikerhondje

The Kooikerhondje is a small hunting dog with a harmonious, almost square build. It carries its head proudly with large, drooping ears held high. A distinctive feature is the hanging black hair on the tips of the ears, known as “earrings” (Dutch: “Oorbellen”). The elegant dog carries its well-feathered tail straight or slightly above the backline. The coat has a white base color with sharply defined orange-red patches. The outer coat is ideally medium-length and smooth or slightly wavy. The undercoat is dense and soft.

Puppy Training

The most important aspect of training a Kooiker puppy is sensitivity. These sensitive dogs do not respond well to pressure and harshness; they become distressed and fearful. Loving consistency and positive reinforcement are key to success. The dogs are eager to learn and want to build a harmonious relationship with their humans.

Therefore, positive reinforcement training, such as clicker training, is suitable. Equally important is good socialization during the puppy stage, as many Kooikerhondjes are too shy around other dogs. It is advisable to attend a puppy school or dog park to establish contacts with other dogs.

Activities with the Kooikerhondje

The Kooiker is a former flushing dog and therefore very active and energetic. Long walks are just as much a part of the daily routine as other physical activities. You can easily take a well-trained Kooikerhondje cycling or jogging. It enjoys rooting around in the undergrowth, so recall training from an early age is recommended. Many representatives of the breed particularly enjoy fast and exciting dog sports like agility. In summer, the water-loving dogs enjoy swimming or playing in the water to cool off.

Health and Grooming

The Kooiker is an easy-to-care-for dog. However, because it enjoys exploring the undergrowth while walking, burrs, parasites, or dirt can quickly become entangled in its coat. Regular brushing is therefore necessary. The long fur on its ears especially requires regular care to prevent matting. Generally, the Kooikerhondje is a robust and healthy dog.

Unfortunately, due to breeding with an extremely small gene pool, some representatives of the breed suffer from hereditary diseases. Von Willebrand disease, a blood clotting disorder, and necrotizing myelopathy, a degeneration of nerve tissue, are among the most common illnesses. However, responsible breeders successfully combat these diseases.

Is the Kooikerhondje right for me?

To welcome a Kooiker into your family, you don’t need to be an extreme athlete, but you should be open to daily, long walks. Due to its size, the cheerful and sporty companion dog is suitable for apartment living. These gentle dogs make good family pets and are therefore very popular. Unfortunately, the breeding base is still small, and at most, 500 puppies are born each year.

When looking for a breeder, you may need to make an effort to find a suitable one nearby. Since the puppies are rare, there are unfortunately many unscrupulous sellers. The best option is to find one affiliated with the American Club for Kooikerhondje or the Dutch “Vereniging Het Nederlandse Kooikerhondje” with experience in breeding. You can expect to pay around $1000 to $1500 for a purebred and healthy puppy of this breed.

Interesting Facts

Due to their pleasant demeanor and attractive appearance, the small dogs were very popular in the Netherlands in the 16th and 17th centuries. They enjoyed high regard and can be seen in famous oil paintings by artists such as Jan Steen or Rembrandt van Rijn.

It’s no wonder that the breed is still very photogenic today. Dog photographer Marina Reiter from Austria has created an Instagram account for her dog Sydney. Almost 20,000 people now follow the dog’s life through beautiful photos.

Do you have a Kooikerhondje or are you considering getting one? Tell me in the comments what you think makes them so special!