IS A KOOIKER RIGHT FOR YOU?
As wonderful and versatile as the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje is, they might not be the right breed for everyone. Kooikers do shed. During certain seasons you may have to vacuum and dust multiple times a day. If you like a very tidy house, this might not be the breed for you.
Nederlandse Kooikerhondje were developed as a working dog so they require daily exercise, and they can be disruptive if their needs are not met. This is a breed that needs to be a part of the family and actively involved with the members of that household. They will not do well in a home where they are left alone for hours. If you have the time to give, Nederlandse Kooikerhondjes are very intelligent, and they thrive with attention and training.
Nederlandse Kooikerhondje can have health issues so it is extremely important to get a puppy whose parents, at a minimum, have undergone health screenings for Hip Dysplasia, Patellar Luxtation, CAER Eye Screening, and DNA testing for Hereditary Necrotizing Myelopathy (ENM), von Willebrand's Disease (vWD), and Polymyositis (PM). NKCT also encourages breeders to put a CGC at minimum on both of the parents.
Older dog or puppy?
You might have your heart set on a Kooiker but not be in a situation where you have the time to raise and train a puppy. Your job may require more hours away from home, you may have other obligations that take up a large part of your time.
Consider looking for an older puppy or adult who has some training and is mature enough to spend a few hours unsupervised.
There are many reasons an older dog or puppy may be available for adoption. Sometimes breeders will be placing an older puppy or dog that they have determined that for some reason does not belong in the show ring or in a breeding program. Sometimes an older puppy or young adult may have been returned to the breeder. Extremely rarely a Kooiker may end up in a rescue situation. The reasons are many, but an older puppy or adult dog can be exactly right for owners who would rather not go through the house training stages, or for a household where the family pet may have to be alone for several hours a day due to the family’s schedule.
A properly raised Kooiker can adapt to many situations, and will be able to transfer his affection to new owners. With a little patience and the understanding that the dog needs time to adjust to the changes in his life, and with some love; an older Kooiker can become a valued member of your family and reward you with gratitude and love. Give the dog a little time to adjust, give him a routine to follow (regular eating times, show him where he can go to the bathroom, teach him gently what he can and cannot do), then give him a little gentle obedience training and your dividends will be remarkable!
