Kooikerhondje Care

The Kooikerhondje (sometimes called simply the "Kooiker") is a small- to medium-sized, friendly hunting breed that's very similar to a Spaniel in appearance. These athletic dogs are seasonal shedders, and are great both as hunting companions and as family pets--but due to their high prey drives they're not suitable for households with smaller pets like birds or rodents. Overall Kooikerhondje care and maintenance won't take too much work, but will need to include a moderate amount of daily exercise.

Here you'll find details on caring for a Kooikerhondje, including info about puppy development, exercise needs, and shedding and drooling tendencies. Get answers to your questions about raising a Kooikerhondje in the following sections!

As a lively and athletic hunting breed, Kooikerhondje exercise requirements are fairly high for a dog of this size. Kooikers are also intelligent and task-oriented, so they'll need activities that both condition them physically (walking, fetch) and stimulate them mentally (games, canine sports). They make decent jogging companions as well.

Adult Kooikers will need 45-60 minutes of dedicated exercise per day, with the total amount depending on the dog's age and overall activity level. You can start exercising your Kooiker puppy at three months old by taking it on short walks, then you can increase the walks' length as the pup grows.

Precautions with Kooikerhondje exercise:

• Don't exercise puppies too hard before they're nine months old
• A leash is required when exercising in public
• Yards must be securely fenced to keep the dog from running off
• Possible separation anxiety; exercises should be done together with people

Exercising your Kooikerhondje every day is a must. These hunting dogs are accustomed to spending hours in the fields--and without consistent activity they'll become anxious, disobedient, and destructive. Regular exercise will be great for both the dog's and your own peace of mind! A few Kooiker exercise ideas:

• Walking/Jogging: Two 20-minute walks (or 15-minute jogs) per day is a good target
• Fetch/Frisbee: Kooikers usually love chasing a ball, stick, or Frisbee
• Hide-and-Seek: Great indoor activity; give the dog a treat when it finds you
• Dog Park: If properly socialized, Kooikers enjoy the company of other dogs
• Canine Sports: These dogs can excel at obedience or agility trials, flyball, and other events
• Hiking: Excellent bonding activity

When indoors, giving your Kooiker access to balls or toys will allow the dog to burn excess energy. It's also good to have a regular exercise schedule for the dog, such as walks or jogs after breakfast and dinner and playtime in the afternoon.

These dogs don't require too much general care. Kooikerhondje shedding is seasonal: fair for most of the year, but heavier during the twice-yearly shedding seasons. Drooling isn't an issue.

Kooikers have medium-length, thick and wavy, double-layered coats that shed moderately most of the time--but when they blow their undercoats in the spring and fall, the shedding can be profuse. Owners can brush their Kooikers 2-3 times per week with a pin brush to minimize the shedding, and to keep the coats mat- and tangle-free; hair cleanup--vacuuming the floors, and lint rollers on clothes and furniture--will be necessary from time to time. (Brushing and cleanup will obviously be required more often during shedding season.)

And a Kooiker almost never drools. If your Kooikerhondje is drooling excessively, that might be a sign of a medical issue, in which case a veterinarian's care is needed.