Dogs

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN The Netherlands
MOST SUITED AS Stable dog, rat-catcher, and family pet.

SIZE
The shoulder height is 37 - 42cm (141/2 - 161/2 in) for dogs and 35 - 40cm (131/2 - 151/2in) for bitches. Dogs weigh about 10kg (221b).

COAT
The coat of the Dutch Smoushond is rugged, coarse, and wiry. The colour is straw yellow.

CARE REQUIRED
Depending upon the quality of the coat, the Dutch Smoushond generally requires the hairs to be plucked by hand about twice a year, leaving the hair on the head alone so far as possible. Between these grooming sessions, remove any excess hair from inside the ears. They can also be troubled by too much hair between the pads of the feet, so ensure this is regularly trimmed.

CHARACTER
These friendly, engaging, cunning, and intelli­gent dogs have considerable adaptability, are dependent, sober, sensitive, companionable, alert, and have a sense of humour.

TRAINING
The Dutch Smoushond is an intelligent dog which is eager to do things for you. The training is therefore quite easy. It is important, though, to ensure that you are consistent towards them because some can assert themselves if they get an idea that their handler is rather easy-going.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
They get on well with children and happily accept the family cat. Most Dutch Smoushonds get on well with their own kind.

EXERCISE
This breed is untiring and enjoy long walks, and swimming. Decide to enrol it for its agility skills or fly-ball courses because it is ideal for both and will enjoy the activity enormously. If a week does go by without a good long walk, the Dutch Smoushond will accept it without difficulty.