Nederlandse Kooikerhondje
About the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Small (10-25 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 14-17" |
| Weight | 20-30 lbs |
| Coat Type | Long |
| Coat Length | Medium |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
High (60-90 min/day)
60 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Moderate - Weekly
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Needs plenty of mental challenges
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $2,000-$3,500 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,400/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Nederlandse Kooikerhondjes may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- Active Owners
May Not Be Ideal For
- Long Work Hours Away
- Sedentary Lifestyles
Guides for your Nederlandse Kooikerhondje
The story behind the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje
The Kooikerhondje comes from the Netherlands, where it worked at a kooi, a traditional duck decoy consisting of a pond with curving netted channels. The dog's job was to move along the bank flashing its white tail, exploiting the curiosity of wild ducks, which followed it into the narrowing trap where they could be caught for food or ringing. Dogs of this type appear in Dutch paintings from the seventeenth century onward. The breed nearly vanished by the mid-twentieth century, and its survival is credited to Baroness van Hardenbroek van Ammerstol, who located surviving dogs and rebuilt the population from a very small base. Dutch recognition came in the twentieth century, followed by the FCI and, more recently, the AKC. It remains uncommon, with careful attention paid to genetic diversity.
Originally bred for: Duck decoy dog, Waterfowl luring, Vermin control. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Nederlandse Kooikerhondje
A small, active gundog suits a well-made complete food served morning and evening, with enough good fat to maintain the feathering and coat. Portions should track real activity, and treats used in training deducted from the total to avoid gradual weight gain.
Watch for: No breed-wide food allergy is documented, though the breed's narrow genetic base means health screening generally matters. Ear inflammation under heavy fringes is usually moisture-related rather than dietary. Any persistent gut or skin problem should be assessed by a veterinarian before diets are restricted.
Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for small breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Nederlandse Kooikerhondje
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a comfortable no-pull harness.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.