Schapendoes
A Dutch shaggy sheepdog, light enough on its feet to spring over obstacles rather than go round them. Nearly lost in the Second World War and rebuilt after it.
Photo by Svenska Mässan, CC BY 2.0
Overview
The Schapendoes is a Dutch herding dog with a long shaggy coat, closely related to the Bearded Collie and the Puli, and it was a working sheepdog in the Netherlands before the breed was nearly lost in the Second World War.
It was rebuilt from the 1940s and is now recognised in Europe, though it remains rare elsewhere. It is notably light on its feet and a remarkable jumper.
Temperament
Cheerful, lively and affectionate. Schapendoezen are good with children, sociable with other dogs, and they are less reserved than most herding breeds.
They are intelligent and independent, and they were bred to work with minimal direction, so they think for themselves. They are enthusiastic rather than intense, and they need real exercise and mental work.
Care and grooming
A long shaggy coat that needs thorough brushing every week or two. It is less prone to matting than a Bearded Collie's and it still needs proper attention.
Progressive retinal atrophy has a DNA test, and hip dysplasia occurs. The breed is generally sound. Twelve to fifteen years.
Living and exercise
An hour and a half a day plus mental work. They excel at agility and they jump exceptionally well.
A fence with height, for that reason. They are rare outside the Netherlands and they suit an active family.
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