Skip to main content

Keeshond Club of America collection

 Collection
Identifier: AKD-6-11

Scope and Contents

The collection is comprised of photographs and artwork featuring prominent examples of the breed; Keeshond themed publications, including international and member club magazines; catalogs for Specialties in the 1980s-1990s and other regional shows; and ephemera, clippings, correspondence, show ribbons, and scrapbooks belonging to Mr. and Mrs. Alfred J. Horrox, owners of Coventry Forge and Del Val Kennels, the latter of which contain photographs, correspondences, pedigrees, and more related to their dogs and other Keeshonds of note.

Dates

  • 1950-2007

Creator

Language of Materials

The majority of the materials are in English. Some books and catalogs are in German.

Access Restrictions

This material is open to research without restrictions.

Publishing and Use Restrictions

Many of the materials, particularly photographs, may still be under copyright and require permission of the AKC and/or the creator before publishing. Please consult the Archivist.

Historical note

The Keeshond is an ancient breed from the Spitz family, originating in Holland where many were used as watch dogs during the 17th and 18th centuries. With its compact size, and agile nature, the dog was ideal for working on barges on the waterfront, which gave them their namesake of the Dutch barge dog. By the mid 18th century the dog became the symbol of the Dutch Patriot political party. Led by Cornelius de Gyselaer, the Patriots began a campaign against the Organist party. de Gyselaer an owner of the breed and for which the dog is named, led his working class party against the Organist party. As the face of the patriot’s opposition, the breed began to enjoy a resurgent of sorts. By the 20th century, thanks to Baroness van Hardencroek who helped found the Dutch Keeshond Club, the breed yet again began to enjoy its popularity. By 1925, the English established their Keeshond Club. Meanwhile in America, the first Keeshonden were being imported. In 1923, Carl Hinderer a German came to America and soon after two Keeshonden followed in 1926. It was he who would lead the ground work for their recognition by the American Kennel Club. By 1930, the breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club with Bellon van Trennfeld as the first Keeshond registered with the AKC.

Physical Description

13 Linear feet (in 11 boxes)

Arrangement

The collection is organized into 4 groups based on content and/or format:

  1. Photographs and Artwork, 1960-1998
  2. Publications, 1964-2007
  3. Show Catalogs, 1964-2004
  4. Mr. and Mrs. Alfred J. Horrox collection, 1950-2000

Provenance

A gift of the Keeshond Club of America, 2009.

Creator

Source

Title
Guide to the Keeshond Club of America Collection
Author
Originally processed by Norma Rosato-Blake; Additions, edits, and conversion of legacy finding aid by Brynn White, 2016
Date
2009; edits in 2016
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the American Kennel Club Library & Archives Repository

Contact:
101 Park Avenue
5th floor
New York New York 10178 United States
2126968216