A name that for us Italians is almost unpronounceable, but which means a lot in the world of hunting. The Kooikerhondje has very ancient origins and to find the roots of this breed you have to go to the Netherlands. It is currently classified as one of the animals that are part of the Group 8 of the FCI (the International Cynological Federation to be clear) and is considered to be a hunting dog that carry-over, but it is also often referred to as water dog. His main specialty in the hunting field is undoubtedly that of aquatic game, but does not disdain the hunting of rodents of all sizes. Let's find out more about this interesting and popular breed.
Origins of Kooikerhondje
The origins of this dog are not to be sought very far from us. Just go back in the last century and we have the first evidence of the breed.
Il Kooikerhondje also called Petit chien hollandais de chasse au gibier d'eau, has its origins during the Second World War. While Europe and the world were engaged in the conflict that has shaken the world population for years, the Baroness Van Hardenbroek van Ammersol, began to recreate the Kooikerhondje.
The story is almost legendary, it is said that in 1942 the woman entrusted the image of the dog to a street vendor, with the prayer to use her skills and knowledge to find it.
Luck decided to stay on the side of the Baroness, because she was hidden in a farm in the province of Friesland, the seller found a dog that resembled the photo. The female specimen, known as Tommy, has since become the progenitor of Kooikerhondje.
From that moment on, Baroness Van Hardenbroek van Ammersol continued to perfect the selection work so much that in 1966 il Raad van Beheer (Dutch Kennel Club) adopted the breed provisionally and in 1971 fu officially recognized.
Appearance of the Kooikerhondje
The Kooikerhondje is a dog of medium small size characterized by a white coat with red-orange spots. hound with long hair not groomed, it has a regal bearing. The the body well balanced structure is harmonious and elegant. When walking it has its head held high which moves in harmony with its tail. The long-haired body with waving fringes is complemented by pointed ears that stand out for their characteristic black color. Even if they hang towards the boulder, they still give the hound a appearance never out of place, but always well cared for.
The Kooikerhondje is a petite dog, this feature also emerges in puppies. As adults they never exceed 40 cm. Despite this they have a proportionate build that if it is evident when they are puppies, it remains so even in adulthood.
The body is not too long, it has the proportionate head and muzzle between them and the nose always black in color at the end. Being a hunting dog, physiologically he has open nostrils, but they do not disturb as a whole.
As previously stated, the ears are characterized by the long black hair and end in a point. These rather large, have alow and a little drooping.
Le end of the tail, on the other hand, they are completely different from those of the ears. Long and with fringes is characterized by extremities with white hair. The eyes unlike the common breeds, they are almond-shaped and dark brown in color. The particular cut conveys sweetness and at the same time vitality.
Il hair is not removed because it is of medium length, most of the time it is smooth in rare cases it is slightly wavy and never curly. This remains adherent to the body also thanks to the rather evident undercoat.
As for the colors, the standards of the breed are very strict, it is impossible to find specimens that do not have the characteristics orange red spots on a white cloak.
The character of Kooikerhondje
The Kooikerhondje is a hunting dog born for this activity. His nature leads him to commit himself to 100% in all the activities he performs, in an attempt to have the maximum result.
Perfect for the hunting for water game despite not being a large dog, he is a very hound awake, intelligent and cheerful. This last feature does not interfere with his work during the hunting trip, because it does not become never too loud enough to disturb the prey.
Brought to thehunting activity, and the companion dog perfect, especially if there are children in the house. Very attached to the place of origin and the context in which it was raised, it will demonstrate all its qualities.
Sweet, affectionate and sociable it is also good in apartments, indeed its predatory instinct will emerge also in this context, because if necessary it will channel all its energies in hunting mice, other rodents or small prey.
The Kooikerhondje born from the will of Baroness Van Hardenbroek van Ammersol had been selected for the hunting at ducks. As in the past, he is still very active in this type of activity today.
During the hunting trip, his job is to attract the ducks without using a voice call, but just waving the tail.
Aware of its role, the Kooikerhondje does not hunt them, but on the basis oftraining carried out by an expert, he knows very well that his task at that moment is to attract the interest of birds and take them to a conduit or a corner of the lake where they can no longer move and then be chased by their master
Kooikerhondje farms
La Razz even if it can be considered one of the most elegant, it is not very widespread. Both in Italy and in the rest of Europe, the presence of Kooikerhondje is small. In many states there are not even farms.
On the contrary, it is very present in Holland, currently used as companion dog and where it is allowed for duck hunting.