Once nearly driven to extinction, the Dutch shepherd is a rare breed of dog from the Netherlands. At first glance, the Dutch shepherd is easy to confuse with his German cousin, but there are distinct differences between the two breeds, both physically and in temperament.
Liver German Shepherds are among the rarest, so you're unlikely to find one at a shelter or rescue center. Most liver GSDs are produced by “designer or specialty breeding programs,” but they do sometimes appear “randomly in litters of regular breeding programs.”
Nowadays there are about 2000 FCI shorthaired Dutch Shepherds, about half as many longhaired ones and the rough haired version about 3/4 of that. There are still quite a few Dutch Shepherds of 'unknown' background that do not have an FCI recognized pedigree.
Dutch Shepherd Breed History
Although the Dutch Shepherd's origins are somewhat muddied, it is suggested that they descend from the same herding dogs that also created the Belgian Shepherd and German Shepherd. He was originally bred in the early 1800s in the southern part of the Netherlands.
Although it is not a widely known breed, the Dutch Shepherd is a loyal companion and competent working dog used for obedience, dog sports, herding, tracking, search and rescue, and as a police dog.
By the 1940s and 1950s, when modern farming reduced the need for herding sheep, the popularity of the Dutch Shepherd plummeted. During World War II, these dogs almost became extinct. While the breed survived, the Dutch Shepherd remains relatively rare even today.
Training and socialization, along with exercise, are extremely important. These dogs need physical and mental outlets for their high energy and stamina to prevent negative behaviors. Luckily, they're easy to train. Because of the family loyalty and high energy, avoid kenneling your Dutch Shepherd whenever possible.
These all-purpose working dogs love to be on the move. Dutch Shepherds make great running companions and enjoy brisk walks, hiking, swimming, and trips to the dog park. These highly intelligent dogs also excel in agility, obedience, rally, dock diving, and—of course—herding. Mental stimulation is important, too.
Eyes - are dark colored and medium size, set slightly oblique, almond shaped and not protruding. Dogs with distinctly yellow or blue eyes shall be disqualified. Ears - are medium sized, stiff, and erect.
Dutch Shepherds make incredible protection dogs. They are versatile and highly intelligent and skilled which makes them very suitable for protection training. They have very strong protection instincts and, with some training, can become the ultimate protection dog.
The average price of Dutch Shepherd puppies is $1000 to $2000. However, top dogs bred as show dogs or to propagate their pedigree lines can be as expensive as $3500. If you choose to adopt an abandoned Dutch Shepherd from a shelter you will pay a lot less, even for a purebred dog. The price is on average $300.
Despite the increase in popularity in both late 1800s and early 1900s, the Dutch Shepherd is still considered a rare breed today because of near extinction caused by World War II.
German Shepherds are larger than Dutch Shepherds. German Shepherds are typically larger than Dutch Shepherds, though female German Shepherds are closer to the Dutch Shepherd's size. Maxing out at 26 inches and 90 pounds, German Shepherds also tend to be stockier in appearance.
Norwegian Lundehund
Dating back to the Ice Age, the Norwegian Lundehund is recognised as one of the rarest dog breeds on the planet due to its unique characteristics, which aren't shared by any other breed.
They make good family dogs as they are playful, affectionate, and active. Although it will equally consider each family member its own, Dutch Shepherds are often "one person" dogs, being the most loyal to just one person.
As it turns out, Dutch Shepherds love the water when they are properly introduced to it. Of course, anything can be a little scary at first if you are a young puppy and you've never seen water before.
German Shepherd ear taping is something that many GSD puppy owners do not take seriously until it is much too late. Shepherd ears can come up on their own anytime between 4 weeks and 6 months.
This breed is wary around strangers and fiercely loyal, which makes a Dutch Shepherd Protection Dog the breed of choice for many. Despite their strong working instincts, they are becoming a highly popular pet due to their friendly and loving nature, especially around children and other pets.
The border collie is often considered the smartest of all dogs and the overachiever of the canine world. Originally bred as a herding dog, border collies can perform just about any job you give them.
It's estimated that there are about 500 wire-haired Dutch shepherds in the world, and only a handful are in the United States. Are Dutch shepherds cuddly? This breed is very affectionate, so a Dutch shepherd will always nudge you for belly rubs.
Dutch Shepherd (224 PSI)
They are also popular as family pets thanks to their loyalty and trainability. These dogs have the strongest bite force of 224 psi, which is one of the reasons they are often used in law enforcement.
A breed with one of the highest prey drives, which makes it an amazing dog for the experienced handler. On the other hand, the novice handlers may find it too much to manage at times. They are very sociable and malleable for their temperament and will easily adjust with other dogs and kids if raised from the start.