Where the Dutch Shepherd came from
The Dutch Shepherd is a farm dog from the Netherlands. Dogs like them kept flocks off crops, herded cows for milking and pulled milk carts. Around 1900 most sheep flocks had disappeared. The first breed standard was written in 1898, and at that time the coat could be any color.
In 1907 the Royal Dutch Police Dog Association, called the KNPV, was founded to test dogs for police work, and the breed became known for it. In 1914 the standard was changed to allow only brindle, to set the breed apart from the German and Belgian Shepherds. World War II stopped breeding of most dog breeds in the Netherlands, and many bloodlines were lost.
There are three coat types: short, long and rough. The United Kennel Club first published a breed standard in 1995. The AKC began recording the breed in its Foundation Stock Service in 2012. Today they are used in sport and working roles and as active family dogs.
- 1898 First breed standard is written in the Netherlands
- 1907 The KNPV is founded to test dogs for police work
- 1914 The standard is changed to allow only brindle
- 1995 United Kennel Club publishes its breed standard
The job a Dutch Shepherd was bred for
The job was doing a bit of everything: herding, guarding and hauling. That shaped a quick, willing, hard working dog. At home they want a job and plenty of attention.
Sports that fit a Dutch Shepherd
- Herding. They still show strong herding skills
- IGP. Their working heritage shows
- Scent work. They love a clear searching job
- Agility. Quick and athletic
- Obedience and rally. Eager to work with their person
Training tips for a Dutch Shepherd
- Give daily mental work, not just walks.
- Use food and play rewards with short, upbeat sessions.
- Teach an off switch so a busy dog can relax.
- Socialize early so their watchfulness stays balanced.
Body and health
Generally athletic and sturdy. Growing puppies should avoid hard impact until their joints mature.
Fun fact. Since 1914 the Dutch Shepherd standard has allowed only brindle, a striped coat, to set the breed apart from the German and Belgian Shepherds.
Breed is where we start
A study of more than 18,000 dogs found breed explains only about 9 percent of the differences in behavior between dogs (Morrill and others, Science, 2022). So your Dutch Shepherd is a starting guess, not a label. We find the drive your dog actually runs on, give it a job, and teach you to read them.
Looking for a different breed? See what 75 breeds were bred to do.