Page 37 - The Complete Dog Breed Book Choose the Perfect Dog for You, New Edition (DK)

W ORKING DOG S 37

DUTCH SHEPHERD DOG

USED FOR GUARDING, HERDING, AND AGILITY WORK, THIS DOG CAN ALSO MAKE A GOOD PET FCI

Height range Not often seen outside the Netherlands and relatively uncommon even
22–24 in (55–62 cm) there, in the last 200 years, this breed has become far more than an all-purpose Erect ears
Weight range farm dog. The Dutch Shepherd Dog has been used for security and police work,
66–68 lb (30–31 kg)
as a guide dog, and in obedience trials. Reliable and affectionate, the breed
Life span 12–14 years also makes a good family dog, though it has a natural wariness of
Origin The Netherlands strangers. There are three varieties of the Dutch
Shepherd Dog: longhaired, shorthaired, and
rough-haired. The rough-haired type
needs to have its coat plucked by
a professional dog groomer
about twice a year.
Longhaired Silver-brindle coat
Fawn-brindle coat
Coarse
eyebrows
Short-haired

Harsh, wavy,
silver-brindle coat

Feathering
on underside
of tail

Shorter hair below
hock on hind legs Light feathering
on back of legs

Rough-haired

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