Kooikerhondje

The Kooikerhondje is a small Dutch spaniel with a white and orange-red coat and black-tipped ears — bred to lure ducks into a trap rather than to flush or retrieve them.

History

It worked the eendenkooi, a Dutch duck decoy: the dog showed and hid its plumed white tail along a screened channel, and the ducks' curiosity drew them in after it. The breed nearly died out in the Second World War and was rebuilt from a handful of dogs by a Dutch baroness.

Temperament

The breed is known for being cheerful, alert and sensitive, closely bonded to its household and reserved with strangers. It is quick to learn and easily discouraged by rough handling.

Care and training

It needs regular exercise and enjoys tricks, agility and scent games. The medium coat needs weekly brushing and the feathered ears want attention. Training should be gentle: this is a soft breed.

Health

A small founding population left the breed with several inherited conditions breeders test for, including a hereditary blood disorder, patellar luxation and eye conditions. These are known patterns for the breed and a matter for a breeder and a vet; the measured facts are in the panel.