Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison

Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher is originated from Switzerland but Keeshond is originated from Netherlands. Both Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher and Keeshond are of same height. Both Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher and Keeshond are having almost same weight. Both Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher and Keeshond has same life span. Both Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher and Keeshond has same litter size. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher requires Low maintenance. But Keeshond requires Moderate maintenance

History

The Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher is an ancient dog breed and dates back to 1780. It is believed that this dog breed is extinct, but that the German Pinscher of today is family of this dog breed. The dog used to be good on the farm as an all-purpose working dog.

When you look at the history of dogs, there are so many that have come and gone, never to be seen or heard of again. Other animals become extinct because of environmental factors, but with dogs it’s a bit different and most, like the Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher, died out simply because it became unfashionable.

Maybe the jobs that this dog was designed to do no longer existed and he died out because he was no longer needed.

keeshond - historyKeeshond is the term used for German Spitzes and although many American references have it that the Keeshond originated in the Netherlands, some say the dog originated in Germany and is a member of the German Spitz family.

The Club for German Spitzes was founded in 1899. The Nederlandse Keeshond Club was formed in 1924. The Keeshond is also referred to as ‘The Smiling Dutchman’.

It was in the 17th and 18th centuries that the Keeshond was used greatly as a watchdog, appearing in England in the late 1800s, but after the turn of the 20th century, Mrs. Wingfield Digby of Dorset, England and Mrs. Alice Gatacre, a Dutch breed authority, living in England, stirred interest in the breed with their kennels.

An English breed Club was formed in 1926, and the first Keeshond was registered with The American Kennel Club in 1930.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Non sporting dog
Origin:
Switzerland
Netherlands
Height Male:
40 - 48 cm
15 - 19 inches
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
Height Female:
40 - 48 cm
15 - 19 inches
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
11 - 15 kg
24 - 34 pounds
14 - 18 kg
30 - 40 pounds
Weight Female:
11 - 15 kg
24 - 34 pounds
14 - 18 kg
30 - 40 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 8
3 - 8
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Glattharidge
German Spitz , Dutch Barge Dog, Smiling Dutchman
Colors Available:
Black and tan
silver, Grey, black and cream
Coat:
Short and smooth
Long, straight, coarse
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

Described as a medium sized dog, the Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher is an extinct variety of the German Pinscher. Like that dog, the Swiss Shorthaired had a muscular, strong square build.

Possibly he also had his ears and tail docked at that time. It is thought that he stood between 40 – 48cm in height and weighed in the region of 11 to 15kg.

He had the typical looks of the Doberman Pinscher with short smooth hair in black and tan, short erect ears and a tail that was traditionally cropped. He was lean and muscular with brown eyes. They were working dogs in their day and were not considered the best dogs to have for the first time dog owner.

Tempeament

These dogs have always been hardworking, brave and fearless. They make good family pets too and get on well with children. They would have been adaptable too to life in the city or the countryside, so long as he got his exercise.

A well bred Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher was alert and a good guard dog, and one wonders why this dog with its good qualities died out.

keeshond puppy - descriptionThe Keeshond is a medium-sized dog and a member of the Spitz group of dogs. He stands at 43 – 48cm in height and weighs 14 – 18kg.

He has a 2-layered, dense coat which is fairly long, straight and coarse and colors are grey, silver, black and cream. His undercoat is a very light cream color. He has erect ears, a fairly shop muzzle and a feathery, plumed tail which curves over his back.

The hair on his legs is fairly short accompanied with some feathering. A typical marking-feature of the Keeshond is the dark line which runs from the outer corner of each eye to the lower corner of each ear. It's what gives the dog his well known keeshond expression. The eyes of the dog are dark brown.

Temperament:

The Keeshond, just like other Spitz dogs, are playful, affectionate, friendly and eager to please. He is intelligent too and will respond well to training and socialization.

He makes a wonderful family pet as he is friendly and playful with children, loving all their games. He gets on well with other pets too. He is a social dog, thriving on being with his human family, wanting to participate in all family activities.

They are sensitive, loving pets and become very attached to their owners. They have even been used as comfort dogs in rescue situations, as they bond so well with people.

He makes a good watchdog too with his loud bark which he uses to deter intruders. He may well be a good watch- and guard dog but he isn't an aggressive dog.

Characteristics

The Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher is no longer around but he would no doubt have made a good family pet. He would have wanted to protect his human family.

He was a stubborn, bold dog, and maybe socialization and training didn’t exist then, but he would have benefited from it.

He’s the kind of dog that would have adapted well to life in the city or the countryside, but you could never neglect his exercise needs. In the right environment, this Pinscher would have made a loving, loyal pet.

keeshond dog - characteristicsThe Keeshond, with his thick double coat, loves to be outdoors in cool weather. He won't be there too long however, because he will be missing his human family. He is such a social dog, craving human company and therefore isn't a dog to be put out in the backyard and left day after day.

He loves games and being totally involved with his human family. Look after your Keeshond well – he is a companion dog - and you will find him to be a most exceptional friend of yours.

Health Problems

It is not too sure about the health status of this extinct dog but we can assume that he would have been prone to some of the typical dog illnesses there are.

Hypothyroidismd, bloat, cancer, cataracts, infections and obesity were just some of the diseases this dog would have had to contend with.

Hypothyroidism:

The thyroid glands in the neck produce hormones. These hormones affect the functioning of the body. Hypothyroidism in dogs is usually caused by shrinkage of the thyroid gland or inflammation.The disease occurs more often in Pinscher dogs.

You may notice a dulling or thinning of your dog’s hair, weight gain and reduced activity. Hypothyroid dogs also tend to battle more with ear- and skin infections. Veterinary treatment will become necessary.

Catarats:

It causes a whiteness,cloudiness or opacity on the lens of the eye. It's not painful for a dog but it can cause loss of vision. Surgery can improve vision for the dog.

keeshond puppies - health problemsWith good food, fresh water, exercise and lots of interaction with your Keeshond, he can reach 12 to 14 years of age.

No matter how healthy your dog is, he can still get ill, but the chances are less likely when he is feed nutritionally. Nonetheless look out for hip dysplasia, bloat, ear infections, skin rashes and eye diseases.

Cataract:

This is a problem in the lens of the eye. Your dog has a cloudy look to the eye. A cataract can occur when the cells are damaged. A disease such as diabetes can also cause a cataract and high blood sugar levels can change the metabolism of the cells in the lens.

The lens should be crystal clear, but with a cataract, the vision of the dog is obscured. It can cause blindness. Thankfully, cataracts aren't painful and most times dogs with cataracts can still see. There is the option of surgery to remove them too.

Caring The Pet

Diet:

In those days of the Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher, maybe commercially manufactured dog foods weren’t available. If the dog were still around today, you would feed him dry kibble for medium sized dogs.

Probably the owners of these dogs fed them from the food they ate. It can be a good idea to feed any dog you have with some homemade food.

This can include things such as boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots. This is the kind of simple food that dogs love.

Being a farm dog in his day, he was probably tossed raw meat occasionally and this would have done him the world of good.

General Care:

Although the short, smooth hair of the Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher is looked upon as low maintenance, the dog would have needed a good brush twice a week just to keep it shiny and healthy.

After a hard day of work on the farm, the Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher would have required a nice warm, dry spot to sleep.

Grooming:

keeshond dogs - caringWith his double coat, your Keeshond will need regular brushing to get rid of all those loose hairs. He is a dog which doesn't have that typical dog odor about him so bathing him is discouraged. Too much bathing irritates a dog's skin and dries it out.

Check the inside of his mouth and make sure that his teeth are in a healthy state. If you are unsure, speak to your vet about dental hygiene as bad teeth won't only cause pain and discomfort for your pet, the teeth can affect his immune system and other body parts.

Check his claws too and have them cut when they become too long. When they are long they can hook on things and injure the sensitive area of the paws.

Exercise:

The Keeshond is a sturdy dog, loving all the activities and games that his family are involved in. He will love to be your walking companion and looks forward to his walk every day.

He is such a playful, adventurous dog and is always willing to join you in new games. Never put him in your back garden and forget about him, as this will make him ill and depressed. He must be part of the family to be healthy and happy and relies on you to include him in all your activities. He can live in the city or the countryside but will require being exercised wherever he is.

Diet:

Top quality dry kibble will work for your Keeshond. If you want to keep him bright eyed and bushy tailed, mix in some quality home-made food too such as cooked chicken, rice and vegetables. You can also try to sometimes include a little bit of raw meat as well.

He is an active dog and will need a diet high in protein. Also, his thick coat needs to be maintained, and apart from regular brushing, look for quality dog foods that have Omega-3 fatty acids in them so as to maintain the skin and coat of the dog. Make sure he always has access to fresh, cool water.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  3. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Sakhalin Husky - Breed Comparison
  4. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Alaskan Husky - Breed Comparison
  5. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Catahoula Leopard - Breed Comparison
  6. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs German Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  7. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Portuguese Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  8. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  9. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Puli - Breed Comparison
  10. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Griffon Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  11. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Borador - Breed Comparison
  12. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs German Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  13. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Canadian Eskimo Dog - Breed Comparison
  14. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs McNab - Breed Comparison
  15. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Porcelaine - Breed Comparison
  16. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Finnish Lapphund - Breed Comparison
  17. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Berger Blanc Suisse - Breed Comparison
  18. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Griffon Nivernais - Breed Comparison
  19. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Hokkaido - Breed Comparison
  20. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Petit Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  21. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Pumi - Breed Comparison
  22. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  23. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Griffon Fauve de Bretagne - Breed Comparison
  24. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  25. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Istrian Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  26. Keeshond vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Keeshond vs Chow Chow - Breed Comparison
  28. Keeshond vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  29. Keeshond vs Dalmatian - Breed Comparison
  30. Keeshond vs Chinese Shar Pei - Breed Comparison
  31. Keeshond vs Australian Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Mexican Hairless vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  33. Tibetan Terrier vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  34. Standard Poodle vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  35. Norwegian Lundehund vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  36. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  37. Pomsky vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  38. Sakhalin Husky vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  39. Other vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  40. Olde English Bulldogge vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  41. Old English Bulldog vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  42. Schnauzer vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  43. Puggle vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  44. King Charles Spaniel vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  45. Schnoodle vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  46. Pharaoh Hound vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  47. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  48. Hungarian Vizsla vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  49. Redbone Coonhound vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  50. Norwegian Elkhound vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds