Schapendoes Dog Breed Information – All You Need To Know

The Schapendoes is a dog from the Netherlands with a rich history. The Schapendoes is a rather modern development for the dog world. You may know it by a slightly different name, such as the Dutch Sheepdog. The reason for that is pretty self-explanatory.

Farmers have employed this majestic dog throughout the Netherlands. What separates this sheepdog from the rest is its diligence. Rarely will you find a dog as devoted and hardworking as this. There are a few other things that we believe you should know about.

Schapendoes History

The Schapendoes is a beautiful dog that was developed in the 19^th Century. The birthplace of this dog is the Netherlands, specifically in the Drenthe region, in the Northern Side of the country. The Schapendoes was always a dog for the masses, created by chance. Their common origins impeded their rise to fame because Royalty shunned them. They remained unknown and undocumented until the establishment of their club in 1947.

The breed gained a short boost in its fame before the 1940s. However, afterward, the Border Collie was imported. It nearly replaced the Schapendoes, leading to its imminent extinction. Devoted breeders began to save it from its unfortunate demise. Their efforts were rewarded after the Schapendoes’ numbers began to rise. The FCI accepted the breed in 1989. The UKC accepted the Schapendoes in 2006. 

Schapendoes Characteristics

The Schapendoes is a peerless dog in the field of agility. It has lean and strong muscles that can propel it at high speeds. Its muscled limbs allow it to quickly change direction, making it one of the best in chasers. The Schapendoes has a double coat with extreme density to keep insulated and safe from cold temperatures. The texture of the Schapendoes’s coat can give it away because the coat of the Schapendoes should not be silky in texture. The eyes of the Schapendoes are almost always obscured by its coat. Colors for the coat include Gray, Black and Pied variations.  

How Big do Schapendoes Get

The Schapendoes is a medium-sized dog with a bit of a muscular physique. The male Schapendoes is 17 to 20 inches tall, while the female Schapendoes will have a height between 16 and 19 inches. The appropriate range for males is 26 to 55 lbs, while the females have a weight range of 26 to 44 lbs. The weight range for females is usually reduced compared to the females.

How Long Does Schapendoes Live

The lifespan of this doggie should remain between 12 and 15 years. The projected lifespan of the Schapendoes doesn’t mean that it will live to that age with certainty. It only means that with the right healthcare, and planning, it could potentially reach that age. You may have to be even more careful, with the right routines,

How Much Does a Schapendoes Cost

According to the standard marketplace demand and supply, the Schapendoes will cost between 1000 and 1500 dollars. However, the price range is a bit wide because of its varying appearance and traits. Also, the breed is hard to find outside of the Netherlands. Therefore, you will have to be patient and thorough in your search. Eventually, you should be able to find a breeder with this dog breed available.

Schapendoes Temperament/Personality

The Schapendoes is a friendly family dog along with being an efficient Sheepdog. The Schapendoes need to play a lot of games to remain happy. You will also need to give the Schapendoes a fair role in your household. The role can be as small as getting the Newspaper or Slippers. The Schapendoes won’t have any problems with getting along with other animals. It doesn’t harm anyone without being pushed over the edge.

The Schapendoes is a responsive dog. However, you should start training it from an early age. It needs a firm leader that can give it the right sort of feedback. You can use a Dog Whistle to teach it certain responses and actions. If you don’t have the right knowledge or methods, use a Dog Training Book for guidance.  

Caring for Schapendoes

You probably want to know everything about your doggie. Well, worry no more; we have everything you may or will need. The following section will deal with all of the concerns that you may have or will have.  

Schapendoes Nutrition

The Schapendoes is a medium-sized dog and requires food according to its size. Normally giving it between two and three cups should be more than enough to maintain its health. Commonly, people overfeed their canines and then regret it. Therefore, you have been advised against overfeeding them beforehand.

How to Groom a Schapendoes

Medium-length coats like that of the Schapendoes are easy to groom. You can easily keep them knot-free if you work out the matts and brush them with consistency. Normally brushing the coat three times or more per week should be sufficient. The shedding of your canine increases in warm weather. You will have to brush its coat more frequently during these times. Bathing it isn’t much of an issue, and it should be need-based. The nails should be kept within the range with the help of a Nail Clipper for Dogs.

Schapendoes Activity Levels

The Schapendoes won’t need more than 90 minutes of exercise per day. We say this very lightly, but we understand that 90 minutes isn’t a short period. We also understand that average dog owners have a lot of commitments to their work. Devoting a chunk of your day can be hard. One way to reduce the load is to divide the activity session. Break down the session into three parts and delegate someone else to do one or two portions for you.

Caring for Schapendoes

The Schapendoes will normally require a role to play. It isn’t a dog that you can just keep in the corner of the house and expect it to be nice. The Schapendoes needs to be engaged. Give it tasks to do, no matter how small they are. Another important detail that people ignore is the Schapendoes’s tendency to chew on things. We recommend getting an Anti-Chew Dog Spray.

Also, try to keep the Schapendoes in the optimal temperature range. The coat of the Schapendoes allows it to remain warm in cold weather. However, in warm weather, this warming up is a bit of a curse. Therefore, you will need to get some Dog Cooling Pads. These can be placed in your canines’ bed or his vest. 

Schapendoes Health

According to expert opinions and consistent research data over the past few decades, we know that the Schapendoes is a healthy dog. It doesn’t have any discrepancies in its immunity. There are rare cases in which problems related to Joints and genetic defects rise, but on the whole, this breed remains extremely healthy. Some conditions related to the Eyes could rise, like the PRA, but these can be taken care of with your vet’s help.

Commonly a monthly check-up is recommended for the best health of your doggie. Supervision and vigilance with regards to its diet and exercise are also recommended.

Breeds Similar to Schapendoes

• Barbet
• Bohemian Shepherd
• American Bulldog
• Estonian Hound
• Pugador
• Australian Shepherd

Sources:

• Wag-Walking
• Doggie-Designer

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