This article was originally published in Showsight Magazine, September 2013 issue.
Judging the Keeshond
As a Keeshond breeder for over forty years, it is extremely frustrating to me that some judges have a hard time judging my breed. In some areas, I can attribute this to the Keeshond Standard not being as clear as it should be.
So, as a breeder, I’m going to try to clarify a few points of the standard to make the breed easier to judge. I’m going to include drawings from the Illustrated Standard, photos of dogs that portray this standard, and some photos of dogs that are incorrect. They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. I am hoping these illustrations will imprint the correct visual image of my breed.
When the lines go downward from the corner of each eye, it presents a sad expression that is undesirable in our breed. We want the ears to be small and triangular in shape, pointing upward. If these ears point outward, it gives a very incorrect, dumb expression.
Even though our standard does not say a Keeshond should be “pretty,” I want judges to smile when they look at a correct headpiece. I want my Keeshonds to look happy, intelligent, and yes, pretty!
The standard states that a “distinctive gait” is unique to the breed. In my interpretation, knowing that a Keeshond is built very similarly to other breeds and doesn’t have anything “unique” in its structure, I believe this refers to its carriage.
A Keeshond moves with the same carriage as when standing. That means he carries his head erect over the line of his back. It also means that he does not drop his head when traveling around the ring at any speed. I also believe that a correctly built Keeshond can move at any speed—whether it’s at a walk or a full trot.
Most judges and breeders do not want a Keeshond to race around the ring. Obviously, the faster the dog moves, the more tendency he has to drop his head—similar to breeds like the German Shepherd or most working breeds. Unfortunately, group judges want to see flash and often expect a dog to move faster than it should.
But as I stated before, a correctly built dog can move at any speed. This does not mean extended reach and drive.
When watching a Keeshond going around the ring, notice its coat. If there is something drastically wrong with its structure, the coat will rock back and forth or bounce up and down. If there’s a lot of movement in the coat, be aware that something may be wrong with the structure underneath.
Also, take note when there’s no fall or length of the coat, and the silhouette appears too perfect. Every Keeshond is trimmed in some manner. In my opinion, this part of the standard should be removed. However, if you see straight lines or curves where they shouldn’t be, it’s likely that the coat has been trimmed.
Some of us are more talented than others and can “artfully” trim our Keeshonden; others are not. Some get carried away and trim every hair on the dog, while others claim they don’t trim—they strip! I’m simply stating that the coat should flow and have a natural drop.
A Keeshond should not appear like a Chow, with no movement in the coat when the dog is traveling.
