MEET THE KEESHOND

Maybe you're searching for your next dog.

You've looked at Golden Retrievers. Maybe you've considered a Labrador, Australian Shepherd, Samoyed, or one of the other breeds you see everywhere.

But what if the dog that fits what you're looking for is a breed you've never even heard of?

Meet the Keeshond.

Pronounced KAYZ-hond, the Keeshond is a beautiful, intelligent and extraordinarily devoted companion dog with one characteristic that Keeshond owners understand better than anyone:

They want to be with you.

Not just in the same house.

With you.

For people looking for a dog that truly becomes part of their everyday life, the Keeshond deserves a closer look.

WHAT IS A KEESHOND?

The Keeshond is a medium-sized member of the Spitz family, recognizable by its spectacular coat, plumed tail, expressive face and distinctive markings around the eyes often referred to as "spectacles."

But their appearance isn't what makes most Keeshond owners fall in love with the breed.

It's their personality.

Unlike many breeds originally developed primarily to hunt, herd or perform other specialized jobs, the Keeshond has a long history of living and working closely alongside people.

That history still shows in the breed today.

A Keeshond doesn't simply want to live at your house.

A Keeshond wants to live life with you.

THE VELCRO DOG

If you've ever wished your dog wanted to be wherever you are, you may have just found your breed.

Keeshonden are often described as "Velcro dogs."

Walk into another room?

Don't be surprised if your Keeshond follows.

Sit down to watch television?

There's probably a Keeshond nearby.

Go into the kitchen?

You suddenly have an assistant.

Working at your desk?

Someone may decide that supervising you is now their full-time job.

This devotion is one of the characteristics I love most about the breed.

It also means the Keeshond isn't the ideal choice for everyone.

If you're looking for a highly independent dog that is perfectly happy spending most of its life away from the family, there are probably breeds better suited to you.

But if you're looking for a companion that genuinely wants to be involved in your life?

Keep reading.

SMART — SOMETIMES TOO SMART!

Keeshonden are extremely intelligent.

They learn routines quickly.

They watch people.

They notice patterns.

And they have an amazing ability to figure out what works.

That intelligence can make them wonderful dogs to train—but it also means they can become very good at training you.

If barking gets your attention, they may remember it.

If doing something adorable gets them what they want, they'll probably remember that too.

Keeshonden generally respond beautifully to positive, consistent training. They thrive when expectations are clear and everyone in the household follows the same rules.

They're smart.

They're observant.

And sometimes they're just a little too clever for their own good.

YES, THEY TALK

Keeshonden have opinions.

And many of them aren't afraid to share them.

This is historically an alert breed, and barking can absolutely be part of living with a Keeshond.

Someone at the door?

They may tell you.

Something unusual outside?

They may tell you.

A squirrel apparently committing a serious offense in the backyard?

You may hear about that too.

Good training and consistent expectations matter tremendously.

If you're looking for a breed that almost never makes a sound, a Keeshond probably shouldn't be at the top of your list.

But many Keeshond owners come to love their dogs' expressive personalities and the different ways they communicate.

WHAT ABOUT ALL THAT HAIR?

This is usually one of the first questions people ask.

Yes, Keeshonden have a lot of coat.

They're a double-coated breed and they shed.

But their coat may be more manageable than you expect when it is cared for properly.

Regular grooming is important, and there will be periods when the undercoat sheds heavily.

One extremely important rule:

A Keeshond should NEVER be shaved simply to make the dog cooler or to avoid grooming.

Their beautiful coat is part of the breed, and anyone considering a Keeshond needs to be comfortable making grooming part of normal dog ownership.

If you want a dog that barely sheds, this isn't it.

If you don't mind some hair in exchange for that magnificent Keeshond coat, keep reading.

THEY DON'T NEED TO RUN A MARATHON EVERY DAY

A Keeshond enjoys walks, playtime and being active with the family.

But for many households, one of the attractive things about the breed is that you don't necessarily need acres of property or hours of strenuous exercise every day to keep one happy.

They're companion dogs.

What they often want most is interaction with you.

That makes the Keeshond an interesting breed for many different households—from families to couples to retirees—provided the dog's exercise, training, grooming and companionship needs can be met.

FAMILY IS THEIR WORLD

One of the greatest compliments I can give this breed is also one of the simplest:

Keeshonden love their people.

They aren't decorations for the backyard.

They aren't dogs I believe should spend their lives separated from their families.

They thrive when they're included.

Cooking dinner. Watching television. Going for a walk. Sitting on the porch. Taking a trip. Doing absolutely nothing.

To a Keeshond, being with you is often the activity.

That devotion is one of the reasons people who fall in love with this breed frequently remain Keeshond people for life.

BUT IS A KEESHOND RIGHT FOR YOU?

I love this breed.

I've devoted more than 20 years of my life to Keeshonden.

But that doesn't mean I believe everyone should own one.

You may love a Keeshond if you want:

• A highly devoted companion
• An intelligent and interactive dog
• A dog that wants to participate in family life
• A medium-sized dog
• A breed with a beautiful, distinctive appearance
• A dog with personality—and plenty of it
• A companion that forms a very close bond with its people

You should think carefully if you want:

• A dog that rarely sheds
• A dog requiring almost no grooming
• A completely silent dog
• A highly independent dog
• A dog that will spend most of its life outside or separated from the family
• A dog you can bring home without committing time to training and consistency

There is no perfect breed.

The goal isn't to convince everyone that a Keeshond is the best dog.

The goal is to help you determine whether a Keeshond might be the best dog for YOU.

WHY HAVEN'T I HEARD OF THEM?

That's a question I hear all the time.

People see one of my dogs and ask:

"What kind of dog is THAT?"

Keeshonden simply aren't as commonly recognized as breeds such as Golden Retrievers, Labradors or German Shepherds.

And I actually think that's part of what makes introducing someone to their first Keeshond so much fun.

You may have started your search today looking for an entirely different breed.

You may have landed on this page without knowing how to pronounce Keeshond.

That's okay.

Every lifelong Keeshond owner had to meet their first Keeshond somewhere.

Maybe this is where you meet yours.

MEET ERBEKEES-KEESHONDEN

I'm Jodi Erbe, and I have spent more than 20 years breeding, raising and living with Keeshonden.

ERBEKEES-KEESHONDEN is located in Tennessee, and my breeding program is focused on producing wonderful companion Keeshonden while placing tremendous importance on health, temperament and lifetime support for the families who receive one of my puppies.

My involvement doesn't end when a puppy leaves my home.

When you get an ERBEKEES puppy, my goal is to give you the education and support you need to raise that puppy into the wonderful adult Keeshond you envisioned when you first discovered this breed.

There is a tremendous amount of information available on my website about my dogs, health testing, puppy raising, policies, upcoming litters and what you can expect when purchasing an ERBEKEES puppy.

I encourage you to explore it.

Ask questions.

Learn about the good and the challenges of the breed.

And decide whether this is truly the right dog for your family.

Because choosing the right breed matters every bit as much as choosing the right breeder.

COULD A KEESHOND BE THE DOG YOU'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR?

Maybe you came here looking for a puppy.

Maybe you were researching family dogs.

Or maybe you had never heard the word Keeshond until a few minutes ago.

Now you know.

And if you found yourself smiling while reading this because you kept thinking...

"That's exactly what I'm looking for."

Then I invite you to learn more.

Discover ERBEKEES-KEESHONDEN

Learn about our Keeshonden, health testing, upcoming litters, puppy availability and how our waitlist works.

ERBEKEES-KEESHONDEN – Lifelong Friends, One Puppy at a Time.