My love for dogs has also given me back my love for photography. And combining those two makes the nicest, most special moments for me. To capture the unique nature of a dog is great. Very grateful, and also brings you to breeds that you normally do not get to know so quickly.
Where I wrote yesterday about the Toy Australian Shepherd, we are talking today about a totally different dog. A few sizes bigger. More quirkiness, totally different appearance. A dog that many people know in terms of appearance.
We are going to talk about the:
DUTCH SHEPHERD DOG
* Nikon D300s * 70-300 f4.5-f5.6 * Aperture f4.5 * Shutterspeed 1/500 * ISO 400 * Focal Length 70mm
The Dutch Shepherd Dog is one of the nine Dutch dog breeds and belongs to the authentic farm animal breeds of our country. The origin is in the countryside; it was the dog of farmers and shepherds. He likes to work with the boss and independently carries out assigned tasks. The versatility of the Dutch Shepherd Dog makes him, in addition to his original task as shepherd, suitable for training such as IPO, tracking, obedience training, rescue work, assistance dog and sports such as agility, flyball, canicross and dogdance.
Appearance.
The Dutch shepherd is available in three varieties: The Short-haired, Long-haired and Shaggy Dutch Shepherd. The colors can be: golden (brown) and silver (gray). The breed description states the following: 'General appearance: a medium-sized, medium-weighted, well-muscled dog that is powerfully and proportionately constructed. A dog with a lot of endurance, a lively temperament and an intelligent expression '.
By medium-sized is meant a height of withers of 57-62 cm for the males and 55-60 cm for the females. A male weighs an average of 28 kilos, a bitch weighs an average of 23 kilos.
* Nikon D300s * 70-300 f4.5-f5.6 * Aperture f5.. * Shutterspeed 1/1000 * ISO 400 * Focal Lenght 240mm
Character according to the breed standard:
Very faithful and reliable, always attentive, vigilant, active, independent, with perseverance, intelligent, willing to obey and gifted with the true shepherd nature ".
The Dutch Shepherd dog likes to work with the boss and he carries out a task that is assigned to him independently. The abovementioned characteristics are presently present in the Dutch Shepherd: the person next to the dog (first the breeder, later the owner) will have to ensure that these characteristics are also fully developed. That will require time, effort and every now and then the necessary perseverance.
Without wanting to compromise the other character traits, we mention in particular: his loyalty, his attentiveness and his being very active. These qualities make him what he is within the family: a smart, awake and work-loving dog that does not miss anything.
You can see that already in the puppy. A young Dutch Shepherd is tireless, always on the move and on research, looking at where he can go. You will have to meet the pup in his 'being active' by working a lot with him and thereby learning how to play, and what is and is not allowed.
* Nikon D300s * 70-300 f4.5-f5.6 * Aperture f5.6 * Shutterspeed 1/800 * ISO 1000 * Focal Lenght 300mm
In addition, he is challenging. That may seem very funny with a young dog, but you will have to guide it in such a way that the dog knows its limits at all times. The Dutch Shepherd is also curious. He would like more than the enclosed garden or the famous street.
However, if you are prepared to invest time and attention in him and you give him clear guidance, then you have a reliable and low-demanding dog in the Dutch Shepherd.
In general, the Dutch Shepherd is a child-friendly dog. Of course you should never leave the dog alone with a child, but that applies to all dogs!
Health.
Fortunately, the Dutch Shepherd has never become a fashion dog. And it is thanks to this fact that little or no health problems can be expected from the Dutch Shepherd. There are few or no hereditary diseases and an age of 13 years is no exception for a Dutch Shepherd.
Own experience with our Dutch Shepherd "Lana-Lynn".
* Nikon D300s * 70-300 f4.5-f5.6 * Aperture f5.6 * Shutterspeed 1/30 * ISO 3200 * Focal Length 300mm * +1 EV * Edited in Photoshop CC 2018
We took Lana out of the shelter at the age of 3 years and both knew the character of the Dutch Shepherd. My friend because he already had a Dutch Shepherd. Rheno, where he still thinks about every day. And I knew the character because I had a lot of contact with this breed by photographing KNPV / Police Dog Sports.
Nothing, however, could have prepared me for the enormous stubbornness of this dog. Our Lana is really a very sweet dog, a very loyal dog, but as idiosyncratic as she is. What she has achieved in her head will also happen that way. And nothing of what I say or do can then take her away from it. If she can not do what she wants today, she'll try it tomorrow, and if she does not succeed, she'll try again the day after tomorrow, and so on!
She does not forget what she wants, and as long as she does not succeed, she continues until she has succeeded. This CAN be positive, but also very NEGATIVE. And it is up to you as boss to lead it to the positive. This means that as the owner of a Dutch Shepherd you are constantly busy with raising, leading and controlling your Dutch Shepherd, but you have to keep in mind that a Dutch Shepherd likes to work for you, and does everything for a nice word, a game together and a brisk walk. Your Dutch Shepherd is a working dog, but ensures that YOU also have to work. You have to be more creative and inventive than ever before, and all that to keep your Dutch Shepherd one step ahead.
Punishments for something that is not allowed in this dog is not going to help you, nor the dog. Provoking good behavior and rewarding it exuberantly does miracles. But never forget that this is going on in his / her entire life. Because your dog is able to come up with something new every day. So you will have to do this too. When you are ready for such a challenge, and ready to be very active with your Dutch Shepherd. Then this is a very nice companion dog, who will go through the fire for you. He will always be there for you and if you are able to do the same for him, nothing will ever be able to break the bond between you. However, if you like a more moderate nature, and a dog who is happy with a 3 times a day around the church, who is satisfied with a basic upbringing and also adheres to it. Then I strongly advise you to NOT GO for the Dutch Shepherd. You will never be able to make that dog happy, a band will no longer exist, and you will get a dog that destroys everything in your house.
* Nikon D300s * 70-300 f4.5-f5.6 * Aperture f4.8 * Shutterspeed 1/200 * ISO 200 * Focal Length 135mm
I have learned a lot from our Lana, and because we were both prepared to learn from her, and to anticipate that, we have now a great dog. A loyal companion. She goes through the fire for us, she is always there for us. Is always in for a game ...
But I honestly say that it took blood, sweat and tears to come where we are now. And I had not expected that in advance. Because with Rowan and Myla, the two shepherd dogs I already had before Lana walked into my life, I never experienced those same problems.
With Lana is not one day the same, every day brings a surprise with it. Those surprises are not always fun ... but they keep me sharp! With her inventive character, her willfulness, her curiosity, her perseverance, she challenges me and my friend every day again ... But because of her affection and sweet faithfulness she also makes that challenge every time again worthwhile.
* Nikon D300s * 70-300 f4.5-f5.6 * Aperture f5 * Shutterspeed 1/200 * ISO 2500 * Focal Length 165mm * +1 EV