Kooikerhondje
Dutch Decoy Dog
Kooikerhondje: does it suit you?
11 quick questions, the same ones this page answers. After each answer you see what the breed needs, and at the end whether it fits your life.
Kooikerhondje: a good fit for you
Kooikerhondje: could work, with compromises
Kooikerhondje: probably not the right dog for you
Your answers match what the breed needs.
Most of your answers fit. Check the points below before you decide.
Some of your answers don't fit what the breed needs. The points below show where.
What to think about
What fits
A better match for your answers:
None of the 42 breeds on this site fits your answers better.
The Kooikerhondje is an old Dutch breed whose name means ‘dog of the decoy man’ or ‘decoy dog’, after the ‘eendenkooi’, or duck decoy.[1][2] It was, and still is, used in duck decoys, where it lures the ducks in with its waving tail; it does not hunt them.[3] The standard describes it as lively and agile, good-natured and alert but not noisy, and friendly.[3]
- Size
- Small–medium
- Weight
- 9–11 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–15 years
Kooikerhondje: origin and history
Paintings by 17th-century masters, including Jan Steen, often show small spaniel-like dogs very similar to the present-day Kooikerhondje.[1] In the decoy it moves calmly between the screens, drawing curious ducks down the decoy pipe into a trap; they are then killed for the table or ringed for ornithological research.[3] When duck decoys declined at the start of the 20th century, the type seemed to disappear.[1]
In 1942, during the Second World War, Baroness Van Hardenbroek van Ammerstol began to recreate the breed: she gave a pedlar a picture of the dog she was looking for, and on a farm in Friesland he found Tommy, who became its founding bitch.[3] The Dutch kennel club, the Raad van Beheer, accepted the breed provisionally in 1966 and recognised it officially in 1971.[3][1] It belongs to FCI Group 8 (Retrievers – Flushing Dogs – Water Dogs), Section 2 (Flushing Dogs).[3]
Fact sheet
- Origin
- Netherlands
- Size
- Small–medium
- Height at withers
- 35–42 cm [3]
- Weight
- 9–11 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–15 years
- Coat
- Medium length
- Colours
- Red and white
- Low-shedding coat
- No
Character and needs
Rated on a scale from very low to very high.
- Exercise needshigh
- Trainabilityhigh
- Grooming needslow
- Sheddingmoderate
- Barkingmoderate
- Good with kidsmoderate
- Good with other dogsmoderate
- Good with catsmoderate
- Apartment-friendlymoderate
- Copes with being alonelow
- Watchdog instinctlow
- Good for first-time ownersmoderate
- Affectionhigh
Kooikerhondje: questions and answers
Is it a good dog for first-time owners?
With good preparation. It rates 3 out of 5 for first-time owners. These dogs learn quickly and like working with you (4 out of 5 for trainability).
How long can it be left alone?
2 to 3 hours, once the dog is an adult and has learned to be alone step by step. These dogs are very attached to their people and often struggle on their own (2 out of 5 for coping alone). More than 6 hours at a stretch isn't fair on any dog; plan for a dog sitter or daycare. Puppies need company: start with a few minutes and build up.
How much exercise does it need?
About 2 hours a day, spread over several walks. Plan for off-lead running or games, not just walks on the lead.
How long does it live?
12–15 years is the typical life expectancy. That is about the average of the 42 breeds on this site (12.6 years). Breed-typical health risks: luxating patella.
How big does it get?
35–42 cm at the withers and 9–11 kg. Size class: small–medium.
Is it a good family dog?
Best with older children. It rates 3 out of 5 with children. With other dogs it rates 3 out of 5, with cats 3 out of 5. Never leave young children alone with any dog.
Does it shed a lot?
Moderately: 3 out of 5 for shedding. Brush once or twice a week.
Male or female?
37–42 cm at the withers for males and 35–40 cm for females, according to the breed standard. Character differences between the sexes are smaller than between individual dogs; upbringing matters more. Unspayed females come into heat about twice a year, and unneutered males can be restless around them.
Kooikerhondje or Pembroke Welsh Corgi?
Biggest difference: shedding (moderate vs. very high).
| Kooikerhondje | Pembroke Welsh Corgi | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Small–medium | Small–medium |
| Weight | 9–11 kg | 9–12 kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–15 years | 12–15 years |
| Coat | Medium length | Medium length |
| Shedding | Moderate | Very high |
| Barking | Moderate | High |
| Apartment-friendly | Moderate | High |
| Copes with being alone | Low | Moderate |
Who it suits
A good fit if you…
- love being outdoors and have 2 hours or more a day for exercise
- want an easy-care coat
Kooikerhondje: the downsides
Every breed has a flip side. Before you decide, check that you can live with these:
- Needs about 2 hours of exercise a day
- Every day, in any weather, for 12–15 years. Without enough exercise and things to do, the dog gets restless and may start chewing or barking.
- Struggles when left alone
- 2 to 3 hours at most. If you work away from home, plan for a dog sitter or daycare from the start.
- A long commitment
- 12–15 years of daily walks, vet visits and holidays planned around a dog.
Kooikerhondje: puppy price and monthly costs
£1,000 for a puppy from a breeder in the UK (Wamiz UK, 2025). From £69 a month in running costs in the UK (PDSA, 2024). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, other costs.
| Country | Puppy from a breeder | Running costs per month |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | £1,000 [4] | from £69 [5] |
| United States | $3,500 – $4,000 [6] | $116 [7] |
| Canada | no data | CA$367 [8] |
| Australia | no data | A$210 [9] |
| New Zealand | no data | NZ$100 [10] |
- Set-up costs at the start: £415 – £560 for basic equipment, first vaccinations, wormers and neutering (PDSA, 2024).
- Dog licence in Northern Ireland: £12.50 a year; England, Scotland and Wales have none (nidirect, 2026).
- Dog licence in the US: $5 – $20 a year, set by the city or county (American Kennel Club, 2021).
- Dog licence in Canada: CA$25–60 a year in Toronto, less for a neutered dog (City of Toronto, 2026).
- Dog registration with the council in Australia: A$20–200 a year, depending on the council and whether the dog is desexed (Mozo, 2026).
- Dog registration with the council in New Zealand: NZ$78–182 a year in Auckland, depending on the dog (PetMall NZ, citing Auckland Council, 2026).
- Puppies far below these prices often come without health checks or papers.
Health
Breed-typical health risks
- Luxating patella [16]
- The kneecap slips out of place, common in small breeds.
Health tests for the parent dogs
6 health tests appear in the breeding rules for the breed.
- No health test is required for breeding in the UK (The Royal Kennel Club); the table shows what is recommended.
- Needed for a CHIC number in the US (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) / Canine Health Information Center): hip X-ray (HD), kneecap check, eye exam, and DNA tests (ENM, vWD).
| Test | United Kingdom [17] | United States [18] |
|---|---|---|
| Hip X-ray (HD)Hip dysplasia | not in the rules | Required |
| Kneecap checkPatella luxation | not in the rules | Required |
| Eye examInherited eye disease, by a certified vet ophthalmologist | not in the rules | Required |
| DNA test: ENMHereditary necrotising myelopathy | Recommended | Required |
| DNA test: vWDVon Willebrand disease (bleeding disorder) | not in the rules | Required |
| DNA test: vWD3Von Willebrand disease type 3 (bleeding disorder) | Recommended | not in the rules |
● Required. ○ Recommended: advised, not required. – Not in the rules. The clubs and their rules are in the source list.
United Kingdom: the Royal Kennel Club’s Health Standard requires no test, so every test is ○ recommended.
United States: ● means the test is needed for a CHIC number from the OFA; taking part in CHIC is voluntary.
What to ask the breeder
- Certificates for both parents: hip X-ray (HD), kneecap check, and eye exam. A claim that the parents are “health tested” is not enough.
- DNA results of both parents for ENM and vWD, or proof that both are clear by descent.
- To see the puppies with their mother, at the breeder’s home.
- The pedigree papers (United Kingdom: Royal Kennel Club registration certificate; Canada: CKC certificate of registration; Australia: Dogs Australia pedigree, issued by the state body; New Zealand: Dogs NZ certificate of registration). [19] [20] [21] [22]
- 8 weeks: the youngest age at which a puppy may leave its mother in the UK, in Canada (Quebec), and in Australia (New South Wales). [23] [24] [25]
- Advice on buying a puppy: The Royal Kennel Club, The Canadian Kennel Club, Dogs Australia, and Dogs New Zealand. [26] [27] [28] [29]
Similar breeds
Sources
- Vereniging Het Nederlandse Kooikerhondje: History
- Vereniging Het Nederlandse Kooikerhondje: Duck decoy
- FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale): Breed standard No. 314: Kooikerhondje (2010)
- Wamiz UK: Nederlandse Kooikerhondje: Price, temperament, lifespan (2025)
- PDSA (People's Dispensary for Sick Animals, UK veterinary charity): The cost of owning a dog (2024). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, other costs.
- Good Dog: 25 cute Nederlandse Kooikerhondje puppies for sale (2026)
- ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals): Cutting Pet Care Costs (2021). Covers food, vet visits, preventive medicine, insurance, toys and treats, boarding, dog licence, grooming supplies.
- Pets Plus Us (Canadian pet insurer; figures from OVMA 2024 Cost of Care research): HOW MUCH IS THAT DOGGY? (EN-DOG_PPU_Cost-of-Care_Aug2024_v3.pdf) (2024). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, dog tax, accessories.
- Animal Medicines Australia (survey by Sweeney Research/SNR): Pets in Australia: A national survey of pets and people (Pet Ownership Study 2025) (2025). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, parasite treatment, vet medicines, supplements, grooming, training, accessories, dog walking, boarding, transport, memberships, alternative healthcare.
- Companion Animals New Zealand (NZ Companion Animal Council): Companion Animals in New Zealand 2016 (section 6.3 Dogs, Fig 50) (2016). Covers food, vet visits, dog tax, boarding, equipment, grooming, healthcare products, insurance, training, other costs.
- nidirect (official government website for Northern Ireland): Dog licensing and microchipping (2026)
- American Kennel Club: Are You Financially Prepared for a Puppy? Explore Costs of Owning a Dog (2021)
- City of Toronto: Pet Licensing Fees (2026)
- Mozo: How much does it cost to own a dog or cat in Australia? 2026 (2026)
- PetMall NZ, citing Auckland Council: Auckland Dog Registration 2026–27: Late Fees Now Apply — Full Fee Table (2026)
- The Veterinary Journal 201(3):333-7 (Wangdee C et al.): Prevalence and genetics of patellar luxation in Kooiker dogs (2014)
- The Royal Kennel Club: Royal Kennel Club Health Standard: A complete guide to health testing for responsible breeding (2026)
- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) / Canine Health Information Center (CHIC): CHIC Program Requirements and testing statistics: Nederlandse Kooikerhondje
- The Royal Kennel Club: What should the breeder give me?
- The Canadian Kennel Club: By-Laws (incl. Code of Ethics (2025)
- Dogs Australia: Getting a Dog: Importance of Pedigree Papers
- Dogs New Zealand (New Zealand Kennel Club Inc.): Registration Regulations (Section 4, Reg. 24: Litter Registration Limitations (2026)
- UK Government (legislation.gov.uk): The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/486), Schedule 6 (breeding dogs) and Schedule 3 (selling animals as pets) (2018)
- Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ): Guide d'application du Règlement sur le bien-être et la sécurité des animaux domestiques de compagnie et des équidés (reproduces CQLR c. B-3.1, r. 0.1, art. 36) (2023)
- NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), State of New South Wales (fact sheet hosted by Dogs NSW): New laws for dog breeders in NSW (fact sheet on the 2024-25 amendments to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 and Companion Animals Act 1998) (2025)
- The Royal Kennel Club: Questions for the breeder
- The Canadian Kennel Club: Finding an Accountable Breeder
- Dogs Australia: Getting a Dog: Choosing a Breeder
- Dogs New Zealand: How do you go about purchasing a pedigree pure bred dog?
Breeding rules, health sources and breed standards checked October 8, 2026.
Prices as published by the sources; collected October 8, 2026.
Breed traits describe typical tendencies. Every dog is an individual, shaped by genes, upbringing and training.