COUNTRY: Netherlands
WEIGHT: 20-24 pounds
HEIGHT: 14-16 inches
COAT: Moderately long, with slight wave; fringed, as a spaniel
COLOR: Red and white
OTHER NAMES: Kooiker Dog
GROUP: Gun Dog
Kooiker Dogs have been extant in the Netherlands for many years, helping the hunters draw the kooikers, a type of duck. It was a Kooiker that was credited with saving the life of Prince William of Orange (153^-1584). The dog barked at intruders, alerting the Prince to escape. Dutch artists Jan Steen and Jan Vermeer captured the breed in paintings during the 1600s.
History then skips any mention of the Kooiker Dog until the early 1940s when Baroness v. Hardenbroek van Ammerstol began her search for one of this native breed. The Baron-ess gave a likeness of the Kooiker Dog to a peddler and showed him the coat color, asking him to search for such a dog in his travels. The peddler was fortunate to find a Kooiker bitch, "Tommy," in the northern Netherlands. Two males, "Bobby" and "Bennie," were also found in the same area.
Tommy's first litter was born in 1943, and these three dogs set the foundation of the modern breed. Originally, tricolored dogs were allowed, but are now not permitted.
The Kooikerhondje is called the "decoy" in the Netherlands for its method of aiding the hunter. Pipes set with wire netting are placed around ponds and lakes. Feed is sprinkled near the end, with tame ducks eating the fodder and drawing the attention of the wild ducks. The Kooiker Dog leads the ducks in, attracting them with his bushy white tail. When they are under the netting, the hunter appears, frightening the birds into the netting. Young and rare birds are ringed and set free. The nature reserves in the Netherlands employ about a hundred decoys.
Baroness v. Hardenbroek van Ammerstol re-ceived a gold pin of honor from the Council of Cynological Management for her work to solidify the futures of the national breeds including the Drent Partridge and the Dutch Kooiker Dog.
This old Dutch breed has only enjoyed an organized breed club since 1967; acknowledgement of the breed came in 1971. Fanciers feel FCI will accept the breed in the near future, Matings are still a problem, with strict breeding requirements and a narrow breed base. (All specimens are in the Netherlands.) However, those same regulations are improving soundness of the breed.
The Kooiker Dog is medium sized , very much like a small setter or spaniel in appearance. The tail must be long and bushy; hair on the ears is long, preferably with black tips called earrings. He is cheerful, easy to manage and affectionate with his owners. These qualities make him not only a good hunter's companion, but a delightful family and obedience dog.
WEIGHT: 20-24 pounds
HEIGHT: 14-16 inches
COAT: Moderately long, with slight wave; fringed, as a spaniel
COLOR: Red and white
OTHER NAMES: Kooiker Dog
GROUP: Gun Dog
Kooiker Dogs have been extant in the Netherlands for many years, helping the hunters draw the kooikers, a type of duck. It was a Kooiker that was credited with saving the life of Prince William of Orange (153^-1584). The dog barked at intruders, alerting the Prince to escape. Dutch artists Jan Steen and Jan Vermeer captured the breed in paintings during the 1600s.
History then skips any mention of the Kooiker Dog until the early 1940s when Baroness v. Hardenbroek van Ammerstol began her search for one of this native breed. The Baron-ess gave a likeness of the Kooiker Dog to a peddler and showed him the coat color, asking him to search for such a dog in his travels. The peddler was fortunate to find a Kooiker bitch, "Tommy," in the northern Netherlands. Two males, "Bobby" and "Bennie," were also found in the same area.
Tommy's first litter was born in 1943, and these three dogs set the foundation of the modern breed. Originally, tricolored dogs were allowed, but are now not permitted.
The Kooikerhondje is called the "decoy" in the Netherlands for its method of aiding the hunter. Pipes set with wire netting are placed around ponds and lakes. Feed is sprinkled near the end, with tame ducks eating the fodder and drawing the attention of the wild ducks. The Kooiker Dog leads the ducks in, attracting them with his bushy white tail. When they are under the netting, the hunter appears, frightening the birds into the netting. Young and rare birds are ringed and set free. The nature reserves in the Netherlands employ about a hundred decoys.
Baroness v. Hardenbroek van Ammerstol re-ceived a gold pin of honor from the Council of Cynological Management for her work to solidify the futures of the national breeds including the Drent Partridge and the Dutch Kooiker Dog.
This old Dutch breed has only enjoyed an organized breed club since 1967; acknowledgement of the breed came in 1971. Fanciers feel FCI will accept the breed in the near future, Matings are still a problem, with strict breeding requirements and a narrow breed base. (All specimens are in the Netherlands.) However, those same regulations are improving soundness of the breed.
The Kooiker Dog is medium sized , very much like a small setter or spaniel in appearance. The tail must be long and bushy; hair on the ears is long, preferably with black tips called earrings. He is cheerful, easy to manage and affectionate with his owners. These qualities make him not only a good hunter's companion, but a delightful family and obedience dog.