Keeshond

The Keeshond, a breed related to the Samoyed, Chow Chow, Norwegian Elkhound and Finnish Spitz, was bred sometime between the 17th and 18th centuries to watch over the homestead and hunt wildlife for its master. The breed was well known in the Netherlands by the 18th century, and was commonly employed as a river boat and barge watch dog, as well as a companion pet. In Germany the Keeshond is known as Wolfspitz; in France as the Chiens Loup; in Italy as the Lupini; and in Holland as the Keeshonden.

The official name given to the breed from the English Breed Club was Keeshond. The Keeshond found in the United States are descendants of British breeding. In 1929, Carl Hinderer of Baltimore, Maryland bred the first litter of Keeshonds in America. The Keeshond was then registered by the American Kennel Club in 1930, and in 1935 the Keeshond Club of America was formed.