Keeshonden) is a medium-sized dog with a plush, two-layer coat of silver and black fur with a ruff and a curled tail.

The Keeshond was the symbol of the Patriot faction in the Netherlands during political unrest in the years immediately preceding the French Revolution.

Neither coarse nor refined, they have a wedge-shaped head, medium-length muzzle with a definite stop, small pointed ears, and an expressive face.

Like most spitz-type dogs, the Keeshond has a dense double coat, with a thick ruff around the neck.

The body should be abundantly covered with long, straight, harsh hair standing well out from a thick, downy undercoat.

Keeping their coat in good condition will allow efficient insulation in both hot and cold weather.

Most notably, at least one Keeshond, Tikva, was at Ground Zero following the September 11 attacks to help comfort the rescue workers.

Throughout the centuries, the Keeshond has been very popular as a watch dog on barges on canals in the Netherlands and middle Europe.

Though congenital health issues are not common, the conditions which have been known to sometimes occur in Keeshonden are hip dysplasia, luxating patellas (trick knee), epilepsy, Cushing's disease, diabetes, primary hyperparathyroidism, and hypothyroidism.

An accurate test for the gene causing primary hyperparathyroidism (or PHPT) has recently been developed at Cornell University.

As with any breed, it is important when buying a puppy to make sure that both parents have been tested and certified free from inherited problems.

A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy 12.3 years based on a sample of 55 deaths for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for crossbreeds.

The German standard was revised in 1901 to specify the characteristic color that we know today, "silver grey tipped with black".

Carl Hinderer is credited with bringing his Schloss Adelsburg Kennel, which he founded in 1922 in Germany, with him to America in 1923.

At that time, less than ten years after World War I, Germany was not regarded fondly in England and America; and the Wolfspitz/Keeshond was not recognized by the AKC.

Hinderer regularly wrote to the AKC, including the New York headquarters, to promote the Wolfspitz.

In 1997, the German Spitz Club updated its standard so that the typically smaller Keeshond preferred in America and other English-speaking countries could be included.

Now bred for many generations as a companion dog, the Keeshond easily becomes a loving family member.

As a result of the breed's history and friendly disposition, Keeshonden are sometimes referred to as "The Smiling Dutchman".