Dutch Shepherd

Temperament

The Dutch Shepherd combines the energy and work drive of the Belgian Shepherds with a bit more stability at home. It is very attached to its family, loves to cooperate and learns fast; the AKC rates both its affection and its trainability at the top of the scale. It also has a clear guarding instinct: it watches over the house and its people and observes strangers with reserve before accepting them. Compared with the Malinois it tends to be less high-strung and less barky, but it is still a working dog that quickly gets bored without a job and finds its own entertainment. It usually gets along well with the family's children, though a young, boisterous dog may knock them over and try to herd them. Its relations with other dogs vary, so socialization from puppyhood is important. The standard describes it as loyal, reliable, alert and independent, yet willing to obey.

Energy

calmvery energetic

Affection

independentvelcro pet

With children

not idealgreat

With other pets

difficultgreat

Trainability

stubborneager to learn

For first-time owners

for experienced ownersyes

With strangers

waryoutgoing

Playfulness

dignifiedeternal puppy

Shedding

minimalheavy

Grooming

easydemanding

Being left alone

strugglescopes well

Apartment living

needs a house and yardgreat in a flat

Barking

quietvocal

With other dogs

difficultgreat

Protectiveness

lowhigh

Drooling

hardly anya lot

Cold tolerance

feels the coldexcellent

Heat tolerance

strugglescopes well

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the Dutch Shepherd for?

The Dutch Shepherd suits an active person or family who wants to train hard with their dog and is looking for a sports partner that is also a steady companion at home. It does well with an owner who has some experience. Do not choose it if you work long hours away from home, want a dog for short walks, or do not have time for daily activities.

Size and looks

Care and exercise

A Dutch Shepherd needs more than two hours of activity a day, including regular training. It is happiest in working-dog sports (IGP, KNPV, mondioring), obedience, agility, tracking or herding. Balance matters: besides work, the dog must learn to rest at home, so practice settling on a bed from puppyhood. Grooming depends on the variety. The short-haired dog needs only occasional brushing, though daily during the spring and fall shed. The long-haired dog needs regular combing. The rough-haired dog should not be brushed too often, but twice a year the dead hair has to be removed by hand-stripping. Base training on rewards and play; this breed learns fast and enjoys a challenge. With a young dog, avoid too much running on hard surfaces until its joints have matured.

Health and breed-related conditions

The Dutch Shepherd is considered a healthy breed; the AKC gives a lifespan of 11–14 years. The US breed club notes that its good health is due in part to strict Dutch breeding rules and a small, controlled population. All coat varieties should be screened for hip dysplasia, and recommended tests also include elbow X-rays and an eye exam. Long-haired dogs should also have thyroid testing, and rough-haired dogs an assessment for goniodysplasia, an abnormally formed drainage angle in the eye that raises the risk of glaucoma. Because the long-haired and rough-haired varieties are rare, ask breeders about how closely related the parents are.

• hip dysplasiaThe breed club recommends hip screening for dogs of all coat varieties.
• elbow dysplasiaA developmental elbow defect; elbow X-rays are among the recommended tests.
• thyroid disease (long-haired variety)For long-haired dogs, the breed club recommends additional thyroid testing.
• goniodysplasia (rough-haired variety)An abnormally formed drainage angle in the eye that raises the risk of glaucoma.

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

According to the FCI standard, the Dutch Shepherd was first and foremost a herding dog in the Dutch countryside. It kept the sheep out of the crops by patrolling the edges of roads and fields, and it went with the flocks to common pastures, markets and ports. On the farm it chased the hens out of the vegetable garden, rounded up the cows for milking, pulled milk carts and warned the farmers of strangers. Around 1900 sheep flocks largely disappeared from the Netherlands, and the breed's versatility opened the door to training: it became a police dog, tracking dog, search dog and guide dog for the blind. The first breed standard dates from June 12, 1898.

Fun facts

• The first Dutch Shepherd standard was written on June 12, 1898.
• The standard allows only brindle coloring, in a gold or silver shade.
• In the past, Dutch Shepherds pulled milk carts and rounded up cows for milking.
• The Polish Kennel Club (ZKwP) registers the three coat varieties as separate entries in its breed list: short-haired, long-haired and rough-haired.

Frequently asked questions

This breed also appears in

• Large dog breeds
• Guard dog breeds

Sources

1. 1FCI standard nr 223 – Dutch Shepherd Dog (PDF)fci.be
2. 2AKC – Dutch Shepherdakc.org
3. 3ZKwP – Słownik ras i umaszczeńzkwp.pl

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.