Dutch Shepherd

The Dutch Shepherd is completely devoted to his/her masters, which makes them very good companions on a daily basis. One must be careful, however, as they can at times become too needy, it is therefore recommended to encourage a progressive detachment in order to avoid any over attachment.

This sheepdog loves children, he/she enjoys playing and spending time with them, especially as it allows this dog to keep an eye on them.

This watchdog is very active, and always on alert.

Simultaneously intelligent and sensitive, the Hollandse Herdershond, as they are known in their native country, are excellent shepherd dogs. They are autonomous without being too independent, they know how to show initiative and carry out the tasks entrusted to them with enthusiasm and reliability.

This Dutch dog is a herding dog, a sheepdog, and sometimes even a very good guardian, but under no circumstances a hunter. When they detect other animals, their only instinct will be to group them together or deter them if they feel a threat, no more, no less.

A worthy cousin of the Belgian Shepherd, the Dutch Shepherd is wary of people he/she does not know. Their particularly strong sense of territory can sometimes even lead them to become aggressive if their attempts at deterrence are not enough.
 
They need time to trust a stranger and it is preferable that their master be present to make proper presentations. If an intruder wishes to enter the property in the absence of this dog’s master, then their reserved nature will turn into strong distrust.
 
Moreover, the Dutch Shepherd rarely forgets anything, one bad experience with a human can have serious repercussions on their relationship.

Like many sheepdogs, this Dutch dog has eyes only for his/her master and is keen to please and be of use. Indeed, this dog does not enjoy independence, although autonomous in the accomplishment of their missions.

Often shown to be very attached to his/her masters, this dog cannot stand to be alone. They are highly devoted to their master and despite their autonomous temperament, when they are left alone without any particular mission, they may quickly turn to deviant behaviour (destruction, excessive barking, etc.).

Sheepdogs such as the Dutch Shepherd are often considered to be highly intelligent and docile, and this is indeed the case for this dog. However, their training requires discipline, consistency and coherence in order for them to reach their full potential.
 
It is not uncommon to see behavioural troubles amongst sheepdogs due to their owners simply not being aware of the work involved in training the highly obedient sheepdog we imagine.
 
In fact, the Dutch Shepherd will only be cooperative if their master's attitude is one of respect and consistency. If they perceive a fault, then they will no longer feel safe with their master, and as a result of this the relationship between dog and master will suffer greatly.

The Hollandse Herdershond make extensive use of their vocal cords, particularly as part of their guard duty, to deter intruders, but also to express their suffering when they find themselves alone and isolated without having received sufficient attention.

They are very close to their master and have a strong sense of territory, thus the Dutch Shepherd is not a runaway, in fact quite the contrary. They prefer to stay with their family to keep an eye on them but also to benefit from close family moments.

They become restless when their needs are not met, and they are forced to stay locked up, whether indoors, in the house, or in the garden. In addition, their potential over-attachment to their owners can result in damage to objects that carry their scent (cushions, remote control, sofa, etc.).

The Dutch Shepherd is not a big eater, nor are they difficult to feed, they are content with little but do of course appreciate good quality treats.

In addition to being an excellent herding dog, they are also highly competent as guard dogs, to such an extent that they are often adopted to be used by law enforcement authorities (the police and the army).

They will always be much happier surrounded by their masters in a house. The ideal for them would be to live in a spacious house with a fenced garden.
 
Living in an apartment may not be suitable for them, particularly because of their desire for space, freedom and the outdoors. This dog is far more compatible with an outdoor life while still maintaining a fondness for indoor comfort with their owners after having been sufficiently active.
 
Nevertheless, whatever their living environment, they must be regularly taken on walks as they can otherwise become destructive and unhappy. It is advisable to offer such an active dog at least 1 or 2 hours of walking per day, regardless of whether they have a garden.

The Dutch Shepherd is a work hound, they are not made to stay at home all day. They must be stimulated daily to reach their full potential.
 
In fact, physical and sporting activities must be offered as regularly as possible, but also activities that stimulate their mental capacities and senses. When it comes to this multi-talented dog, the range of activities is very broad as everything suits them.

This medium-sized dog can be transported with no problems, but to achieve this they must have the right training. A high level of socialisation must also have been experienced by the Dutch Shepherd puppy in order for them to adapt easily to different environments and situations.
 
However, one must be careful, this dog remains a shepherd dog, and this means they are sensitive. Their distrust of strangers and their instinct to guard may, in some cases, affect the easiness/tranquillity of certain situations, such as particularly crowded places, for example.

It is preferable for the Dutch Shepherd, as it is commonly known, to grow up alongside their adoptive family’s cat in order for them to be able to live peacefully and serenely together.

As part of their work as herding dogs, the Dutch Shepherds can get along well with their "colleagues". On the other hand, as highly sensitive dogs, they are not the most confident. As such, a bad experience or the accumulation of several bad encounters can have a heavy impact on them.
 
It is therefore necessary for this dog to benefit from good quality socialisation, with the possibility of meeting dogs of different sizes and energies, regularly and in a positive and supervised atmosphere.

This sheep dog gets along very well with the children of his/her social group. They become good playmates and watchdogs when with children.
 
Be careful however, the sensitivity of this dog requires special precautions to prevent children from disrespecting him/her or causing him/her heavy trauma. Even if this dog shows patience, they are not able to take as much as other dogs may, so be vigilant.
 
Of course, this dog will never become aggressive towards the children of their social group but could turn inwards/introverted if the interactions are not respectful.

As a naturally well-balanced dog that nonetheless requires an almost constant presence with them, the Dutch Shepherd can easily adapt to a life with retired seniors. However, for cohabitation to go well, it is essential for their masters to still be sufficiently active in order to meet this dog’s needs.

Adopting a sheepdog as your first dog can be a great idea if you are energetic, motivated and have time to devote to your pet. It would not otherwise be recommended to adopt this work-hound if only to leave it in the garden all day and for it to look pretty on the end of your leash on rare walks.