The Keeshond has an arctic origin. In the eighteenth century the Keeshond was known as "a dog of the people."
In its veins runs the blood of the Samoyed, Chow Chow, Finnish Spitz, Norwegian Elkhound, and Pomeranian.

At the beginning of the French Revolution, it became the symbol of the Dutch Patriot political party, led by the patriot Kees de Gyselaer. Gyselaer owned a dog named Kees, which gave the breed its name.

During the eighteenth century the Keeshond also became known as "a dog of the people."

At the beginning of the French Revolution it became a symbol for the common and middle-class Dutchmen.

They were led by the Patriot Kees de Gyselaer. Afterwards the breed endured and suffered a long period of neglect. It was introduced to the United Kingdom by a woman named Mrs. Wingfield-Digby. However, the Keeshond did not become popular again until it was introduced into the United States in the 1920's. They are part of the Spitz family and therefore were originally bred to guard canal boats. It was because of this that it was named the Dutch Barge Dog. However, rather unkindly, in Victorian England the Keeshond was nicknamed the Overweight Pomeranian. Although it is known to have originated in the Netherlands it has been cited as being part of the German Spitz Family along with the Pomeranian and the American Eskimo dog.

The breed then suffered a long period of neglect. They were first introduced into the UK by Mrs. Wingfield-Digby and did not become popular again until 1920, when it arrived in the US.

It became known as the Dutch Barge Dog, as it worked as a watch and guard dog on riverboats, barges and on farms.
Temperament

The Keeshond is a very lively, active, and intelligent dog.

Keeshonds are full of personality and become very excited about certain things. If they become excited they are known to spin around and around in happy circles. They are highly affectionate, friendly, and outgoing.

The Keeshond is an incredible family dog. They love to be involved with the family and family activities. They are excellent with children. This makes them the perfect dog for a family with children or a family who intends on having children. In fact, they are more affectionate and playful with children than with adults. They are also very well behaved and tolerant of other family pets and animals. They make fantastic watch dogs because of their keen sense of hearing. They will bark to signal the approach of unknown people or other events. This makes them an excellent watch dog. They also have a strong devotion and loyalty to the family and this will add to their nature as a watchdog.

However, occasionally the Keeshond can be very timid and reserved. If they are shy and timid as puppies they should be socialized extensively throughout puppyhood so they can become more confident and outgoing around other people and animals. If proper socialization has not taken place their natural sense of caution can turn into suspiciousness and this can be hard to deal with especially if it turns into defensive biting or nipping.

Due to the Keeshond's need for companionship and desire to be part of the family they do experience separation anxiety higher than other breeds. They will display this behavior through destructive chewing and excessively barking when left alone. This can become very aggravating for the owner and neighbors.

Grooming

Grooming for the Keeshond is considered to be moderate. They have a very thick and long double coat and this does need some care. The Keeshond are heavy shedders and therefore combing and brushing regularly is definitely necessary. The shedding will only increase as the shedding seasons occur. When brushing or coming this breed it is essential to brush the hair right from the skin. If you cannot see the skin when brushing, you are not brushing properly. The point of this excessive brushing is to remove the dead hair. When all the dead hair has been removed, the coat should be brushed or combed through without running into any snags or mats. All the dead hair should be removed before bathing the dog.

When bathing the Keeshond it is important that no water or soap gets in the dogs ears or eyes. A regular dog shampoo can be used, but it is important not to use human shampoo or liquid soap because that can cause skin irritation. The coat of the Keeshond is very thick and this can make bathing a little more difficult. It is essential that the dog is rinse thoroughly making sure that all traces of soap are gone. Soap left on the skin of the dog can cause skin irritation. The head of the Keeshond should not be washed during the bath to ensure that water and soap does not get into the eyes or ears. A waterless shampoo can be used instead.

To dry the Keeshond both towel drying and blow drying can be done. To towel dry the dog, it will take about three large towels and four hand towels. This depends on how much the dog naturally shakes off as well. When blow drying it is important for that a non-heat dryer is used. During cold weather it is essential to make sure that the dog is dried completely. When the weather is hot or humid it is also essential for the dog to be dried completely as they can develop a rash. The rash develops when the hair is not dried and then it lays against the skin for a day or so.

The Keeshond's ears need to be cleaned out as well. This can be done with Q-tips, cotton bolls, and baby oil. The oil is put in the Q-tip and then used to clean the ear. The cotton balls are used to clean out the excess dirt if there is any. The nails on the Keeshond need to be trimmed regularly because it is important that they keep their cat-like paw shape. This should be done once every two weeks. The between the pads of the feet should be kept trimmed as well. If the hair is not cut between the pads then they lose their traction.

Exercise

The Keeshond needs to have daily exercise. They are very active indoor dogs and this can be reduced by ensuring that they receive enough physical activity. They will be satisfied with a daily walk. However, a nice run through the park is highly appreciated. One concern for the Keeshond is that they gain weight very easily. It is important not to over feed them. It is essential that they receive exercise to help with the weight issues as well. The Keeshond does very well in mild and moderate climates. Due to its heavy coat, it does not tolerate hot weather very well. It is important that the dog is not overly exercised in warm and hot weather. Because of their desire to be around family and involved with family activities they make excellent dogs for the active family who spends a lot of time outdoors.

Training

Training the Keeshond can be quite the difficult task. They are independent thinkers and can have a manipulative streak in them. They often have a mind of their own and get bored with repetition. However, they are excellent at obedience and are highly intelligent. When training the Keeshond it is essential to use positive, consistent, but firm training. They do best with fairness and structure. It is important that the Keeshond knows that the owner or handler means what they say.

Keeshond training should start at a young age to reduce some of the problems that can occur into adulthood. Socialization training should start when they are very young puppies to ensure they do not become suspicious adults. It is also important for them to be taught manners at a young age so they learn not to bark or destructively chew when they get bored. They are eager to learn new things and this makes them perfect for obedience and learning new tricks. This will keep them learning new things and prevent them from being bored. Training also is a great way for the dog and owner or handler to spend time together. This will fill the dog's desire for human contact and affection.