Schapendoes

• Group 1: Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs ( without Swiss Cattle Dogs)
• Section 1: Sheepdogs

• Without working trial

Netherlands

Males: 43-50 cm Bitches: 40-47 cm

The Schapendoes ( officially: Nederlandse Schapendoes = Dutch Schapendoes ) is recognized by the FCI Dutch breed (FCI Group 1, Section 1, Standard No. 313).

Origin and History

The Nederlandse Schapendoes (pronounced S ( sharp S) ch (as in the German ch of roof) apendus ) is a typical dog for herding flocks of sheep, to a large extent he must be able to act independently. He is long -haired, slightly built and has a great bounce. The Schapendoes was the " Allerweltshund " the shepherd on the heath of the Dutch province of Drenthe and Veluwe, so commonplace that it was hardly a precipitate in literature and painting. He was never considered in the past as a pedigree dog, but as a working dog. He also had no specific, single name, but different names such as Herder Does, Siep, Olde Grise and so on. At dog shows it probably occurred ever in the years 1872-1874 in appearance under the name Domestic Sheepdogs. As an independent race he only started to get interesting, when the Dutch began to be interested in indigenous breeds for "own" between the two world wars. The cynologist Pieter M. C. Toepoel is the founder of the breed. Between 1940 and 1945 the systematic breeding of the time almost vanished Schapendoes began. In 1952 the provisional recognition of the breed by the Dutch Raad van Beheer Stud. The first standard is from 1954, a master book was simultaneously started with the guide. The final recognition was granted in 1971. Since then is bred only by registered dogs on, because the breed is still under construction and has to be grown very responsible. A similar and related breed of dog that is not recognized by the FCI, exists in Germany as a sheep poodle that belongs to the old German herding dogs.

Description

Up to 50 cm high and 12-20 kg ( up to 25 kg in males ) heavy herding dog with long, thick, slightly wavy hair with plenty of undercoat, which is what the dog can appear more voluminous. The body is slightly longer than tall. All colors are allowed in the standard, predominantly occur: black and gray to white, rarely brown. The ears are long haired, small, hanging, but not fitting. The tail is long and well feathered. In repose it hangs down at the trot it is quite high, but never worn stiffly over the back. The Schapendoes has big round brown eyes.

Nature

He's spirited, eager to work, and used to working independently, which can look like in everyday life, such as stubbornness and obstinacy. It is suitable for many dog sports such as agility, dog sports tournament, flyball and Dogdancing, but not as a guard dog; it is used as a tracking dog and rescue dog. He abhors stubborn, stupid, constantly repeated exercises. A consistent training is important; However, he does not tolerate heavy hand. He has a friendly nature. He developed a very close bond with his family and is therefore well suited as a family dog.