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Breed profile

Dutch Shepherd

Brindle Dutch farm dog turned police and sport dog. Clever, keen and tireless, in short, long or rough coats.

Short-haired brindle Dutch Shepherd standing in profile on a lawn
Short-haired Dutch ShepherdPhoto: CaroleField / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Weight
23–32 kg51–71 lb
Height
55–62 cm22–24 in
Lifespan
12–15 yrs
Group
Pastoral / Herding
Origin
Netherlands
Popularity
—Not ranked in UK ·

Known for: Working dogsEasy to trainWatchdogsRunning partners

Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly

Temperament

Intelligent, Loyal, Alert, Driven.

Health problems to know about

  • Hip and elbow dysplasia
  • Masticatory muscle myositis
  • Inflammatory myopathy (DNA test available)
  • Goniodysplasia (rough-haired coats)

Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.

Daily care

Ninety minutes to two hours of exercise a day plus real training work, such as obedience, tracking or agility. Weekly brushing, more in moulting season.

A good fit for

Experienced, active owners who want a training partner and have time for a job every day.

Probably not ideal for

First-time owners, flats, and homes where the dog would be left alone with nothing to do.

Sources

  1. PetMD: Dutch Shepherd
  2. Wikipedia: Dutch Shepherd

Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.

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