Do you know these 5 dogs from the Netherlands?
By Kim Campbell Thornton
Andrews McMeel Syndication
I love seeing different types of dogs on my travels. The Netherlands, which I visited last month, is home to several interesting dog breeds, some of which are starting to be seen in North America; others are well-established. Here’s an introduction if you happen to see one in your neighborhood.
In Dutch, the word “stabijhoun” means “stand-by-me dog,” and they are indeed dogs who love to be close to their people, says Ari Goerlich, DVM, who lives with her own stabyhoun, as the breed name is spelled in the United States. “They are very cuddly. I love their combination of sensitivity, willfulness and intelligence.”
The mid-size staby stands out for a solid black head, black and white body, and white-tipped tail.
The kooikerhondje -- kooiker for short, pronounced “koy-ker” -- has a pretty silken white and red coat accented by black “earring” tassels, a plumy white tail, and a lively and affectionate character. Sensitive and intelligent, the spaniel-type dogs, originally bred to lure ducks, guard homes and kill vermin, are highly trainable and devoted to their families. They’re not for newbies to dogs, though.
“The kooiker can be a little fierce when alerting to strangers and impulsive when their prey drive is engaged,” says Betty Dalke Wathne, who has had kooikers for nine years and currently lives with two of them.
For best results with this affectionate and athletic dog, a family should have some dog experience and be willing to put time into consistent and positive training, providing them with regular mental and physical challenges.
Dogs resembling the markiesje (pronounced "mar-kees-juh”) are often seen in Dutch paintings dating as far back as the 17th century, but the dogs were not actually developed and recognized as a distinct breed until the 20th century. Romantically nicknamed the Dutch tulip hound, or sometimes the black pearl, the markiesje is a small, elegant type of spaniel with a silky, medium-length coat in solid black or black with white markings, and feathering on the ears, tail and backs of the legs. Cheerful and curious, they enjoy spending time with their people.
Whether in police and military settings, on farms or in the dog sports scene, the Dutch shepherd is an up-and-coming star. In looks, the breed is distinguished from German shepherds and Belgian shepherds by a brindle coat, as well as other physical characteristics. Originally, the versatile dogs not only herded sheep, but also worked as guide dogs, police dogs and in search and rescue, all areas where they still excel today.
Dutchies are busy, busy, busy and need a person who can keep up with their intelligence and high activity level. Owner Robin Greubel says, “They need a job, or they will invent one you don’t like. They also require a level of situational awareness that most people are not prepared to live with on a daily basis.”
Also known as the Dutch barge dog, Keeshonden (plural) acted as watchdogs on barges carrying goods on canals. As befits their watchdog status, Keeshonden are barkers, important to know before acquiring one. The smiling Dutchman is another nickname for this fluffy spitz breed. The compact dogs have a double coat in a mix of gray, black and cream, with small, dark, pointed ears; cream-colored legs and feet; a lionlike ruff; a plumed tail that curls over the back and has a jaunty black tip; and distinctive “spectacles,” markings and shadings around the eyes that make them look as if they’re wearing eyeglasses, imparting a “smart dog” expression. A thickly coated rump and hind legs give the impression that the Keeshond is wearing trousers.
Q&A
Heads up
about hairballs
Q: My cat is constantly throwing up hairballs, and I’m tired of stepping on them. Is there a solution?
A: Hairballs -- aka trichobezoars -- are icky, sticky, cigar-shaped clumps of fur that result from feline grooming habits.
Cats clean themselves by licking their fur with their raspy tongue. The tongue grabs hold of loose hair, and there’s only one way it can go after that -- down the hatch and into the stomach. But hair is indigestible, and eventually it forms into a clump, your cat has a hack attack -- usually in the middle of the night when you’re trying to sleep -- and then you step on it because it blends into the carpet.
But hairballs don’t have to be a normal part of living with a cat. Diet and grooming can both help to prevent them. Plain canned pumpkin -- not pumpkin pie filling -- is high in fiber and helps swallowed hair make its way through the digestive system rather than coming back up and plopping onto your carpet. Regularly offer your cat a teaspoon of pumpkin mixed with canned food or with a tasty liquid such as some water from a can of tuna or clams.
Some cat foods are formulated with high levels of fiber to help reduce the incidence of hairballs. You can also offer hairball-control treats or gels. Gels, which work by lubricating the hair in the digestive tract so it doesn’t form clumps, should not be given if you’re already feeding a hairball-control food.
Daily brushing is the best, easiest, most natural way to prevent hairballs. Brushing removes loose, dead hairs, reducing the amount of hair available for your cat to swallow during grooming.
Sometimes hairballs, or what look like hairballs, are bad news. They can signal conditions ranging from asthma to heartworm disease. Learn more here: fearfreehappyhomes.com/hairballs. -- Dr. Marty Becker
Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.
THE BUZZ
Budget bill helps
vets, pet owners
-- Veterinarians and pet owners benefit from the recent spending bill passed by Congress and signed by President Biden. It increases funding for the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program, which helps veterinarians repay education loans in return for practicing in areas with a lack of veterinarians. The Veterinary Services Grant Program received an additional $500,000 to provide grants for developing, implementing and sustaining veterinary services in rural areas. And $1 million for the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will strengthen oversight of imported dogs. It also includes funds for veterinary diagnostic programs at the new National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, opening this year in Manhattan, Kansas.
-- Have you washed your pet’s food and water dishes today? A recent study by North Carolina State University found that fewer than 5% of survey respondents followed FDA pet food handling and storage guidelines, which include washing hands before and after feeding and washing bowls and utensils with hot water and soap after each use. Lack of hygiene puts animals and humans -- especially children or people who are immunocompromised -- at risk of illness after exposure to pet food contaminated with pathogenic bacteria. The FDA has more information on buying, handling and storing pet food here: fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/tips-safe-handling-pet-food-and-treats.
-- Dust baths, hay and a secure multilevel habitat are all musts for chinchilla happiness. Chins are entertaining small companions, but have special needs. Special chinchilla dust, available from pet supply stores, keeps their coats from getting greasy or matted and helps to prevent respiratory and eye irritation. Besides commercial food pellets, they need good-quality hay, leafy greens and occasional small amounts of dried apple or sunflower seeds as treats. Finally, a good chinchilla habitat has multiple levels with hiding places, a plastic bottom to protect paws, and shredded paper, wood pulp or pine shavings for bedding. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker
ABOUT PET CONNECTION
Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet care experts. Veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker is founder of the Fear Free organization, co-founder of VetScoop.com and author of many best-selling pet care books. Kim Campbell Thornton is an award-winning journalist and author who has been writing about animals since 1985. Mikkel Becker is a behavior consultant and lead animal trainer for Fear Free Pets. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/Kim.CampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.