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AKC: Kooikerhondje breed overview

Sporting group · Netherlands

Kooikerhondje

Also called Nederlandse Kooikerhondje, Kooiker, Dutch Decoy Dog

Bred to wave a white plumed tail and lure curious ducks into Dutch decoy traps, and still just as alert.

The Kooikerhondje is a spaniel-type dog of about 9 to 12 kg (20 to 26 lb) from the Netherlands, easy to recognize by its orange-red and white coat and black-tipped ears. It was bred to help duck catchers lure wild ducks, and today it is a lively, loyal and quite sensitive family dog that is often reserved with strangers.

Original AI-generated breed illustration

Weight

9 to 12 kg

20 to 26 lb

Height

35 to 42 cm

at the shoulder

Life expectancy

12 to 15 yrs

Activity estimate

90 to 120 min

editorial daily planning range

Adult-size estimate

14 months

approximate model input

Life with a Kooikerhondje

Dutch duck catchers built decoy ponds called kooien, with curved channels covered in netting leading away from the open water. The catcher's small dog would trot in and out between reed screens along the channel, its white tail waving. Wild ducks, curious about the flicker of a fox-like animal, swam after it deeper into the channel until the catcher could close the trap. Some of these ponds are still used today, mainly to ring birds for research.

Small orange and white dogs of this type appear in Dutch paintings from the 1600s. By the Second World War, though, very few remained. In the 1940s Baroness van Hardenbroek van Ammerstol set out to save the type, famously tracking down a female called Tommy, who became a foundation of the modern breed. The Dutch Kennel Club recognized it in 1971, and the AKC followed in 2018.

Today's Kooiker is affectionate and playful with its own people, quick to learn and fond of activity. It is also sensitive and watchful: many are cautious with strangers, dislike being grabbed or crowded, and remember a bad experience for a long time. In a calm home that respects its nature, it is a devoted and entertaining companion.

A great match for

active owners who enjoy dog sports
calm families with school-age children
people who value a loyal, alert companion
suburban homes with daily outdoor time

Think twice if

wariness of strangers and new situations
sensitivity to harsh handling or loud noises
strong interest in birds on walks
shutdown or worry if training is heavy-handed

Personality and needs at a glance

Living together

Good with children

Good with other dogs

Open with strangers

Apartment friendly

Copes with alone time

Energy and character

Energy level

Playfulness

Easy to train

Barking

5 means very vocal

Care and climate

Grooming needs

Shedding

Drooling

Handles cold

Handles heat

How much a Kooikerhondje eats

Illustrative calculations for neutered adults at midpoint breed weights, with food at 370 kcal per 100 g and 100 g per cup. These are not measured breed requirements. Use actual weight, the food label and veterinary body-condition advice.

Dog	Weight	Calories	Dry food
Female, relaxed lifestyle	10 kg	550 kcal	150 g (1.5 cups)
Female, typical pet	10 kg	630 kcal	170 g (1.8 cups)
Male, typical pet	11 kg	680 kcal	185 g (1.8 cups)
Male, very active	11 kg	850 kcal	230 g (2.3 cups)

Full Kooikerhondje feeding guide Calculate for my dog

Care guides for the Kooikerhondje

Feeding5 cups, split into two meals. Most Kooikers are not greedy, and some are picky, particularly when excited or stressed by changes at home.Read more Puppy growthPuppies reach adult height by around 10 to 12 months and keep filling out until about 14 months. Mentally they stay young for longer, and most Kooikers settle into adult behavior around 2 years.Read more ExerciseAn adult Kooiker needs about an hour of activity a day, ideally including off-lead running in a safe space and some brain work. Retrieving games, agility, flyball, scent work and tracking all suit the breed, and many love to swim.Read more GroomingThe coat is low-fuss for a feathered breed. A weekly brush with a pin brush and comb, paying attention to the feathering behind the ears, on the legs and on the tail, keeps it free of tangles.Read more TrainingKooikers learn quickly with food, play and praise, and they enjoy working with a trusted handler. They tend to shut down with raised voices or physical corrections, so use calm, positive methods and keep sessions short.Read more HealthTwo inherited conditions stand out in Kooiker health. Hereditary necrotizing myelopathy is a nerve disease that affects young dogs, and von Willebrand disease is a bleeding disorder; DNA tests exist for both.Read more

Things owners are often surprised by

1Named after the kooi, a Dutch duck decoy pond with curved netted channels
2The black tips on the ear feathering are nicknamed earrings
3Nearly disappeared after the Second World War; the revived breed traces largely to a female called Tommy
4Recognized by the Dutch Kennel Club in 1971 and by the AKC in 2018
5DNA tests exist for two inherited conditions seen in the breed

Kooikerhondje questions

How do you pronounce Kooikerhondje?

Roughly KOY-ker-hont-yeh. Kooiker means decoy man, the person who ran a duck decoy, and hondje means little dog. Many owners simply shorten it to Kooiker or Kooi. In English-speaking countries the breed is sometimes called the Dutch decoy dog, though Kooikerhondje is the official name.

What are the black tips on a Kooikerhondje's ears?

The long black hairs at the tips of the ear feathering are called earrings. They are a hallmark of the breed and are desired in the breed standard. They can be sparse in puppies and develop fully as the adult coat grows in, often by around 18 months. Owners who show their dogs leave them untrimmed.

Are Kooikerhondjes good with children?

They are usually affectionate with children they know, and many enjoy games of fetch in the garden. The breed is sensitive, though, and may snap or withdraw if grabbed, hugged tightly or chased. Families with calm, school-age children who can respect a dog's space tend to do best.

Do Kooikerhondjes still hunt ducks?

A small number of traditional decoy ponds in the Netherlands still operate, now mostly for catching and ringing wild ducks for research rather than for food. Some Kooikers are still trained for this work. Most modern Kooikers are family dogs, but their interest in birds is usually very much alive.

Are Kooikerhondjes rare?

Fairly rare outside the Netherlands, yes, and responsible breeders often have waiting lists. The modern breed was rebuilt from a small number of dogs, so breed clubs pay close attention to genetic diversity and DNA testing. Be wary of anyone offering puppies without health test results for both parents.

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