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General:
Schapendoes is an old herding dog which is used for herding flocks of
sheep. As pasture for sheep is situated mainly in quiet, lonely areas
of the country, it is necessary for the Schapendoes to be equipped with
great endurance, mobility and speed. A great facility for jumping is
essential, as well as intelligence and the ability to act on his own.
Schapendoes is watchful and brave, intelligent and attentive.
It is lively, vivid, energetic and obedient. Cowardice, nervousness
and aggressiviness are not characteristic. Schapendoes wants,
as typical for the herding dog, his family to be together. It
is very suitable for family with children.
The first Schapendoes in Finland was imported from Denmark in 1989.
The first litter was born in 1993. About 50 Schapendoezen are registered
yearly and there is almost 400 Schapendoezen in Finland nowadays. This
charming dog has found it's place in our hearts.
Coat:
Schapendoes is a long coated sheepdog. With right care the coat looks like unkempt and dishevelled what it in reality never may be. The right quality of the coat is rough and therefore it doesn't become tangled so easily. Usually thorough combing every one-two weeks is enough to keep problems away. The coat don't need to be trimmed. Schapendoes will be washed when it's dirty. For many breeds typical weekly washes are not needed for Schapendoes. On the contrary, too many washes only make the coat too soft. Beard and paws are worth of washing more often, mostly for your own comfortableness. At least our Muru kisses almost too much and for some reason she sleeps on our bed at nights.
The most critical time concernig coat is when puppy coat is changed to adults coat. It may start at the age of six months and may take until two years. Then the soft coat needs to be comb often, even every day. Uncombed hair will woolen and then it's hard to clear without scissors, which are not used for the coat otherwise.
Hobbies:
Schapendoes is an active and energetic dog, he has to have some activities. Sprightly daily walk with some activity keeps the minds of the owners and Schapendoezen sound. You can have some activating games indoor as well, like searching for goodies and things.
Schapendoes is easy to train and very obedient. If the owner has any enthusiasm, there are many ways to go in for some hobbies together. Agility has gained popularity and the other common activity is obedience. Schapendoes is suitable for rescue too, like serching in ruins. The original task for Schapendoes is herding of sheep, but nowadays only very few has opportunities for this.
Health:
Schapendoes is long-living dog, they can live up to 12 - 16 years. As in all the dogs, Schapendoezen have some illnesses and defects. Traditionally Schapendoes is healthy breed, discovered cases are mainly occasional. There have been missing premolars and uncorrect bites, problems with testicles, hook in the tail and navel hernia. Eyes are examined for e.g. Pra and Cataract. The Finnish Schapendoes Clubs recommends to X-ray examine the hips for dysplasia for the dogs that are used for breeding. There have been some cases with mild and moderate hip dysplasia. Most of them are normal.
History:
At the end of the last and beginning of this century,
occurred everywhere in the region of the Netherlands where there was
heathland and where there were herds or flocks of sheep.
The shepherds valued him for the tireless pleasure he took in his work and for his intelligence.
The breed almost vanished During the years from 1940 to 1945.
Thanks to the canine authority, P.M.C. Toepoel and experienced breeders breeding of Schapendozen began again.
Schapendoes were used for breeding from wherever they could be found.
The Breed Club for Nederlandse Schapendoes was founded in the year 1947 and in
1952 the breed was provisionally recognized by the Kennel Club in Holland.
In 1954 the standard was set up and a Stud Book started. Definite recognition followed in the year 1971.
Since then only registered dogs have been bred from.
The original dogs that were used for starting the breeding again were males
Noël, Pluis and Boeloe and bitches Roetje, Astra, Lulu and Tirza.
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