Non-sporting breeds: Keeshond

Origin
    Throughout the 18th century, the Keeshond (pronounced kayz-hawnd) was used in the Netherlands a good watchdog, companion, and swimmer. It was commonly found in villages, farms and on the barges in the Dutch canals. The dog became the mascot for the Patriot party, which was led by Kees de Gyselaer, and thus the name "dog of Kees" or "Keeshond" was assigned to the breed. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Keeshonden (the plural form) were used as watchdogs, good-luck companions, and vermin controllers on riverboats, farms, and barges. The Patriots' were defeated and many Keeshonden were killed to renounce any association with the failed rebel party. The only Kees that remained were a few on barges and farms.
    Throughout the late 1800s, Keeshonden had appeared in England. This British dog was the progeny of the German Wolfspitz crossed with Dutch imports. After the turn of the 20th century, Mrs. Wingfield Digby and Mrs. Alice Gatacre provoked interest in England, and in 1926 an English breed club was formed with "Keeshond" as the official name. With rare exceptions, the Kees in the United States are derived from British breeding.
    Carl Hinderer of Baltimore, Maryland, bred the first U.S. litter in 1929. The first Keeshond was registered with the American Kennel Club in 1930 in the Non-Sporting group. The Keeshond Club of America was organized in 1935. Mrs. Virginia Ruttkay started the initial Keeshond breeding in the eastern United States in 1946. Mr. and Mrs. Porter Washington of California purchased their first Keeshond in 1932, providing the foundation for many Western U.S. kennels.

General description