Dutch Schapendoes

This very old breed, appearing in the history of the Netherlands, has no official record of his early origins.

Recognized in the 18th century, the breed is said to be related to the Bobtail, Puli, Briard, Nizinny, Bearded Collie and Bergamo Shepherd Dog.

Belonging to the somewhat disparate group of long-haired sheepdogs with shaggy and hairy faces, he is similar to all these breeds in the varieties found in the Lower Rhine region, the Odenwald and the Hesse region of Germany.

All these related breeds are actually mutations of the mountain dogs, but in miniature.

Sheepdogs are generally larger, so this small dog was greatly appreciated for his agility and lightness.

The shepherds also appreciated his intelligence and hard work. The Dutch Schapendoes was found wherever there were moors where flocks of sheep grazed.

The breed was threatened with extinction for some time, and P.M.C. Toepoel, a dog lover at the time, was responsible for the revival of the breed after the Second World War that nearly wiped out the Dutch Schapendoes.

Between the 1940's and 1945, breeding was limited to the few that still existed in the country. However, in 1945, the reproduction of the breed began more seriously.

In 1947, the breed club was established, and in 1952 he was provisionally accepted by the Raad van Beheer. In 1954, its standard was set, and the breed was registered in the stud book.

In 1971, the final and official acceptance took place, and since then, the breed's kennels only admit officially registered dogs.

This herding dog is still used as such today. The moors, where the herds graze, located in remote areas of the country, require a light, mobile and very hardy dog to perform his functions well.

To be effective, the specimen must remain in all respects a herding dog, i.e. in character, body and spirit.

The dog therefore acts completely independently, endowed with great intelligence and incredible jumping ability, which is very useful in his duties.