The care and feeding of the Keeshond

   First and foremost, do not buy from a pet store! Taking time to find a reputable breeder will save you needless heartache, as pet shop puppies are often the product of "puppy mills", where the animals are ill-treated, malnourished, and bred every season until they can breed no more. They are then disposed of in ways that can border on the horrid.

   Reputable breeders breed their bitches once a year at the most; most of them will wait two years between litters. They also do pedigree research on the potential sire, usually going back five generations. Look at x-rays if possible and observe the dog to make sure that they are breeding the best with the best. Thankfully, the Keeshond is one of the few breeds that have not corrupted their bloodlines.

   Now, let's assume that you have purchased a healthy pet. There are ways to keep your Keeshond happy and healthy. They are:

Puppies need puppy food, ask your breeder for the brand of food your puppy is used to eating. With all Keeshonden, when changing their diet, do so slowly, over a week.

Feed your Keeshond high quality dry dog food that does not contain tallow, which can get rancid and sicken your fuzz butt.

Limit treats to milk bones, no more than three a day.

Do not feed your Keeshond people food, especially gas causing, spiced, onions, ice cream, (any dairy) or chocolate.

You will find that your Keeshond, given the chance, will eat just about anything, anytime, any place.

Please watch your pet's weight and give him or her enough exercise, or your pet will have a weight problem that will cause health problems.

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