Dutch Shepherd –The Intelligent Herder

Athletic and intelligent: who wouldn’t love the Dutch Shepherd? Many farmers and dog breeders admire this breed because of its fascinating features. It is known for its high intelligence and athleticism; it is an excellent dog to own at the farm, and at the same time, it makes a remarkable family companion.

The greatness of the Dutch Shepherd is not limited to its herding skills; many dog enthusiasts love this breed for its elegant and substantial appearance. It has a strong body that allows it to be an effective farm dog, as well as a guard dog. Its activeness on the various indoor and outdoor activities is unmatched by many other breeds.  All these great features make the Dutch Shepherd a wonderful dog to own as a pet.

Origins of the Dutch Shepherd

We can trace back the origins of the Dutch Shepherd to hundreds of years ago to The Netherlands. Similar to other breeds, this dog was a product of a necessity, mainly for farmers who need a herding dog to help them on the farm. They visualized a dog that is capable of various tasks, a versatile breed that excels on the farm, herding flocks, guarding the area, as well as transporting goods from the farm to the market. The farmers knew that all they need was a new breed that could cater to their herding needs.

Interestingly, shepherd dogs have sparked the interests of many farmers in The Netherlands. During the late 19th century, the breed standard was published, wherein it shows the broader features of shepherd dogs. However, changes on the standard came years later; brindle coats were used to identify Dutch Shepherd among other shepherd breeds.

Moreover, changes in The Netherlands farms occurred in the 20th century. Some places became industrialized, leaving the Dutch Shepherd unemployed in some places. Thankfully, this dog is known to be incredibly versatile and capable of diverse tasks. Over the years, the breed was used in multiple jobs in the city: police dogs, search-and-rescue, therapy dogs, and so on. Despite the sudden changes in its career, the Dutch Shepherd continues to prove its exceptional herding skills, as well as expertise in other fields.

Characteristics of the Dutch Shepherd

Height: 21.5 – 24.5 inches

Weight: 42 – 75 pounds

Life Expectancy: 11 – 14 years

Hypoallergenic: No

The Dutch Shepherd is a relatively large breed that could stand up to more than twenty-five inches tall and weighs up to seventy-five pounds. It has an athletic body that works well with its size. Apparently, this dog is a fast runner and tough worker; its sturdy body allows it to work on various tasks, making it a versatile dog.

In addition to its tough physique, this dog greatly resembles a wolf. It has an elegant brindle coat covering its body, giving it a powerful appearance. It has ears pointing upwards; Its eyes express fierceness, as well as devotion and intelligence. The physical appearance of this dog pretty much defines an outstanding shepherd dog.

Besides its beautiful appearance and superior skills, this dog possesses other qualities, which makes it even more interesting. The Dutch Shepherd is known for its exceptional intelligence; it is smart and relies on keen instincts; that is why this dog performs well on the field. It can adapt to various jobs because of its brilliance and trainable nature.

As expected in many working dogs, the Dutch Shepherd is an independent breed that could produce incredible results even when working alone. Overall, the active lifestyle of this breed makes it a truly fascinating dog to bring in different activities; it also works best as a lovable family companion.

Caring for the Dutch Shepherd

Because of the Dutch Shepherd’s athletic body, it is best to feed it high-quality dog food to provide enough nutrients to its body. However, it is still recommended to regularly consult your local vet for diets to feed your dog; this would ensure that your dog is consuming the right food and amount based on its daily activities. It would help if you were mindful of the amount of food you feed your dog. Monitoring its food consumption could prevent it from getting obese, leading to health problems in the future.