Keeshond Club of America collection

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.