The Dutch Smous dog, receives the popular name of Dutch Shoplifter, although we can also find it as Holland Smoushond or Dutch Smoushond. They are an obedient and easy-care pet dog, making them a lovable and friendly companion. This clever and clever dog has considerable adaptability. Dependent and sensitive, he is a good watchdog, always being alert.
It is an affectionate, cheerful, friendly and free-spirited dog by nature, it is willing but not nervous or over-active, nor
easily scared. After all, he is an energetic former buzzard that was used as a watchdog in the past. What you should know is that he is very barking and that he needs exercise.
Characteristics of The Dutch Buzzard
Perhaps there are no personality traits that better define Dutch Smoushond than lively and energetic. Although small, the Dutch Smoushond requires a substantial amount of exercise. This breed should receive no less than 45 minutes of vigorous physical activity every day, and more would be ideal. It is likely that if they do not get enough daily activity they will develop behavior problems such as excessive barking, destructiveness, accidents that break the house, hyperactivity, excess of excitability and nervousness.
That said, they are not a breed that will constantly chase their owners during the day and once properly exercised, they will be relatively calm at home. Most reasonably active and dedicated families will be able to provide Dutch Smoushond with the activity they require. Although this breed would love to play in a garden, Dutch Smoothonds adapt well to apartment life if given enough exercise.
Physical Appearance
The Dutch Buzzard has a long, coarse, coarse, thick protective double coat of hair that gives the dog a carefree and carefree appearance. The color is straw yellow. Long, straight, thin hair forms a beard, mustache, and eyebrows. The back of the front legs is slightly feathered. Small eyes are bright with caps of black pigmentation. The nose and lips are black and the eyes are dark. The feet are small and rounded. The ears are triangular, set high on the head.
Personality
The firm, straight front legs and the flexible hind legs are well muscled. The skull is slightly rounded, with a distinctive stop and a moderately long muzzle. The jaws are strong. When the dog is relaxed, the tail hangs limply. The legs are compact and covered with long hair. The forehead is strong and slightly rounded. The body is well balanced and close to the ground.
This dog was originally developed as a dedicated pickpocket, but the modern breed has been bred almost exclusively as a companion dog and has the temperament one would expect from these dogs. He is very loyal and forms very deep bonds with his family. These dogs want to be in constant company and can suffer from very severe separation anxiety if left alone for long periods of time on a regular basis. He is known for being extremely affectionate and often sycophantic. Unlike most British Terriers, the Dutch Smoushond makes an excellent family dog.
It is a breed that greatly prefers the company of its own family to strangers. Although rarely aggressive, most members of the breed are very reserved and distrustful of those they do not know. Proper training and socialization are very important to Dutch Smoushond, otherwise nervousness and defense problems may develop. The Dutch Smoushond is an unsurpassed watchdog who will always (and repeatedly) alert his family to an approaching stranger. However, this breed lacks the size and aggression necessary to be an effective guard dog.
Unlike most Terrier-type dogs, the Dutch Buzzard is genuinely eager to please. Although even though they are not a dominant breed, these dogs are more than capable of deciphering when their owners are not in charge and can take on the role of leader of the group. So we must educate him firmly, but at the same time gently, being very sensitive.
Potential Dutch Smoushond owners should be aware of the breed’s barking. It is an extremely vocal dog, and most bark a lot. Although it would probably be unfair to describe these dogs as Ladinos, their barks tend to be quite high-pitched and repeat frequently in quick succession. Exercise and training can greatly reduce barking, but cannot completely eliminate it. Generally well suited for apartment living, although they are prone to noise complaints due to their vocality.
The Dutch Buzzard with children and other animals
When properly trained and socialized, this breed is generally very good with children, and many members of the breed form close bonds with them. The Dutch Smoushond is not a fast breed and will enjoy a certain amount of rough play, although they will generally not be fully tolerant of all games, so we must be vigilant that our children do not break their patience.
With dogs and other pets
In general, it gets along well with all types of pets, from dogs to cats. Remember that it can become dominant, so we must take care of this aspect to avoid problems. On the other hand, it lacks aggressiveness, which helps good behavior in front of other pets.
Basic Information
- Height at the withers: 37 to 42 cm.
- Weight: from 7 to 11 kg.
- Layer: uniform yellow in all its shades.
- Average life span : 12 to 15 years.
- Character: cheerful, attentive, energetic and obedient.
- Relationship with children: very good.
- Relationship with other dogs: good, generally speaking.
- Skills: companion dog.
- Space needs : you need space.
- Food: depending on the activity carried out, consult the veterinarian
- Arrangement: specific care.
- Maintenance cost: moderate.
Breed History
Most of the history of the Dutch buzzard has been lost to time, and most of its origin will remain a mystery. Most of what is said is little more than speculation. All that is clear is that the holland Smoushond has remained a great vermin hunter in the Netherlands since time immemorial, and is likely several centuries old.
It is believed by most experts to be a very close relative of the Standard Schnauzer and the Standard Pinscher, and it may have once been considered the same breed, but it’s impossible to say for sure.
These dogs served as multipurpose working farm dogs. Its main function was to hunt and kill rats, mice and other vermin. But they also did other agricultural jobs. They were guard dogs in charge of protecting their families and their properties, and even herding livestock.
The Dog of The Germanic Empire
For nearly 850 years, what is now the Netherlands was part of the Holy Roman Empire, a feudal political conglomerate that also included what is now Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Czech Republic, and parts of Poland and Italy and France This empire was so vast that many localized varieties of Pinscher and Schnauzer were developed.
It is quite possible that the breed was originally a color variation of the Standard Schnauzer that became especially favored in the Netherlands. The color of the dog would probably have been quite popular in the Netherlands; where orange has long been the color of the royal family and a national symbol.
For countless centuries, the Dutch Smoushond was bred exclusively as a working dog. Their owners cared little about their appearance, as they sought them out only for their ability to kill rodents. However, the breed maintained a relatively high degree of uniformity in appearance for a working dog.
The breed became known as Smoushond, which comes from the Dutch word, ‘Smouzen’, which means ‘Jewish man’. He was so named because his long wiry cape was reminiscent of the long beards and curly hair traditionally worn by Hasidic and Orthodox Jews. The name Dutch Smoushond was largely chosen to distinguish the breed as much as possible from the Belgian Griffon.
The 19th century: from the countryside to the city
The role and status of Dutch Smoushond began to change in the late 1800s. As was the case with many of the British Terriers, the local upper classes found Dutch Smoushond to be an excellent urban companion and also a ratter. The last decades of the 19th century saw the transformation of the breed from a working dog to an aristocratic pet, and it began to be considered the preferred companion of the Dutch nobility. And in 1905, the Hollandse Smoushond Club was established to maintain pedigrees and promote the breed.
As the 20th century progressed, this buzzard faced increasing competition from foreign breeds. Although the breed’s popularity declined somewhat as a result of the arrival of new foreign dogs, it remained locally popular in the Netherlands. On May 10, 1940, the story of the Dutch buzzard changed forever when Nazi forces from Germany invaded his homeland, despite repeated Dutch attempts to maintain neutrality.
World War II
The German occupation proved devastating for the Netherlands, but especially for the breed. It was found mainly in large urban areas, the same areas that suffered the worst under Nazi rule. The breeding of dogs, especially companion animals, almost completely ceased. Many owners could no longer afford to care for their dogs, and were forced to abandon them. Furthermore, many Dutch buzzards were killed in the blitzkrieg, during the Dutch resistance, or as a result of the Allied liberation campaign.
By the end of World War II, the Dutch population of Smoushond had been severely diminished. There is a substantial debate about what happened to the Dutch Smoushond after WWII. Many experts, and perhaps most, believe that the Dutch Smoushond became extinct as a purebred dog, and that no purebred members managed to survive the war.
Some even say that crossed dogs did not survive either. Others believe that although pedigrees were not preserved, a very small number of purebred Dutch pickpockets managed to survive. What they did agree on was that the breed was extremely rare and on the brink of total extinction. It was also agreed that the last pedigree bed of the Dutch Smoushond was registered with the Dutch Kennel Club (Raad van Beheer) in 1949.
The Recovery of The Breed
In the early 1970s, Mrs. HM Barkman took an interest in them and made up her mind to restore the breed. In 1973, Ms. Barkman established a breeding program, beginning her program by collecting mixed breed dogs that closely resembled the Dutch Smoushond of yesteryear. Barkman recruited a small number of friends and other fanciers to help her with her breeding program. Different experts have different opinions on what this breeding program accomplished.
Some experts claim that the dogs of Barkman and other early breeders simply looked like Dutch Smoushond, but did not have any of their blood. These experts believe that modern specimens are entirely a recreation of the oldest breed. Other researchers believe that many of the dogs used, and perhaps most, possessed some Smoushond blood, and some say that even some purebred members may have been discovered.
These researchers claim that the modern race is not a recreation, but a restoration. Regardless of whether one believes the modern Dutch Smoushond to be a recreation or a restoration, everyone agrees that a large number of mixed breed dogs were used, as were a substantial number of purebred dogs of other breeds.
Ms Barkman and other breeders were very concerned about the future health of the Dutch Smoushond and did not want to see their breed paralyzed by the many health concerns that dogs with very limited gene pools often have. Their goal was to have as large a set of genes as possible, while maintaining the appearance and temperament makeup of the Dutch Smoushond. Because many of the dogs used were mixes of unknown pedigree, it is impossible to say which breeds they took into account in the development of the modern Dutch Smoushond.
The Dog Today
It is known with certainty that purebred Border Terriers were used, and it is almost universally accepted that at least some Schnauzer, Poodle, Griffon and Terrier mixes were mixed as well. Although it took many years and a great deal of effort, eventually the labors of Ms. Barkman and her fellow breeders paid off.
In 1977, the Dutch Kennel Club began to re-register Dutch Smoushond from Barkman’s lines, although most did not necessarily meet typical pedigree standards. Approximately 20 years later, the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) also granted full recognition to the Dutch Smoushond as a member of the Pinscher / Schnauzer Group, waiting until the breed fully met that organization’s exacting pedigree standards.
Education and Training
He is very intelligent and is considered relatively easy to train. Most members of the breed adopt basic obedience and commands very quickly, and some learn advanced and complicated tricks with ease. Because this breed tends to be very sensitive, training techniques that emphasize rewards (especially treats) are much more effective than correction-based techniques.
Despite that, and although the Dutch smous dog is generally willing to please, most members of the breed do not live to do so. These dogs are capable of learning almost anything, but they will take more time and effort to train than other breeds like Labrador Retrievers. That’s because, like other intelligent dogs, it may want to find its own learning path.
Health
No health studies appear to have been conducted on the Dutch Smoushond, making it impossible to make definitive statements about the breed’s health. Most fanciers seem to believe that this breed is relatively healthy. Several Dutch Smoushond health problems have been identified, but most have low to average rates.
However, breeders are very concerned about his health, because the dog has a very small genetic pool. Today the Dutch Smoushond breeders are working very carefully to maintain and preserve the health of the breed and to remove unhealthy animals from the breeding lines.
Even so, if you get a Dutch buzzard, you must take into account a series of diseases that can appear in your dog:
- Entropion
- Ectropion
- waterfalls
- Arthritis
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Difficulty sleeping (in this case, many problems can arise that cause this lack of sleep, so it is important to go to the vet in case it occurs)
Daily Care
Although it is a small and domestic dog, it is still a buzzard like our Andalusian winemaker. That means it will take a lot of exercise to kill off your overflowing energy. You don’t have to be excessively athletic, but you do have to take it out on a daily basis. In addition, it is important that you socialize him and educate his vocalization, or you may have problems with your neighbors due to his excessive barking.
In addition, he is a very familiar dog and that can mean that he suffers from separation anxiety. Given that, it is important to educate him from puppyhood and we recommend training with boxes. This will help you to give him a safe place but, above all, to get used to being alone and locked up for short periods of time. In this way, if our dog becomes very destructive when alone, we can leave it in our domestic kennel without suffering psychological damage.
Bathing and Brushing
As you would expect from the Dutch Smoushond coat, this breed requires a substantial amount of grooming. Although the breed should be brushed infrequently to maintain its furry appearance, these dogs should be combed frequently with a wide-toothed comb to avoid tangles and matting.
The Dutch Smoushond also needs to have your hand removed from its coat two to three times a year to allow new hair to grow. Although this procedure is relatively easy to learn at home, most homeowners choose to do it professionally. Most of the Dutch Smoushond’s coat does not need to be trimmed, but the hair in the ears and between the toes may need to be trimmed on occasion.
How to get it?
If you are looking for a pedigree dog, you should go to Dutch breeders, since it is difficult to do it outside its native country. You can always look for an individual who sells / donates puppies from their own litter. In that case, you should take into account that it meets the legal requirements for private breeders, which will avoid later problems.
Other Similar Dogs
If you cannot find a dog of this breed, you may be able to find a similar one among the ones we offer:
- Affenpinscher: It is a flamboyant, traveler, brave, intelligent and playful dog, who has earned a position in homes around the world for his small size and his good-natured and funny character.
- Dobermann: it has been pointed out and harassed by problems that have occurred and that have always been generated by the human being and never by the race itself. The Doberman is a dog that well-behaved and educated can be a great companion.
- Miniature Pinscher: This breed is the miniature comes from ancient rat catchers. It has a strong temperament which allows it to be more of a watchdog than a companion dog.
- German Pinscher: perhaps the most similar to the breed we reviewed, although not physically, so it may be the best option.
- Schnauzer: we can find them in various sizes, (normal, giant and miniature) each with different aesthetic characteristics. For the most part, they are cheerful, playful and good companions.
- Austrian Pinscher: very similar to the German.
- Black Russian Terrier: Traditionally used as a guard dog and police dog, it is very rare outside of Russia. Although, in recent times it can be seen more frequently in Western Europe.
