Kooikerhondje
科克爾犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Kooikerhondje was used by Dutch hunters in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries to lure ducks into trap canals; the breed declined almost to nothing and was rebuilt during the Second World War by Baroness van Hardenbroek van Ammerstol, who sent a peddler out with a photograph and a lock of Kooiker hair to find surviving dogs. It is a dog of about 36–41 cm and 9–14 kg resembling a small setter or spaniel, with a slightly wavy white double coat patched in orange to deep red and high-set drop ears with a distinctive black fringe. The UKC standard calls it lively and affectionate, confident and outgoing with people it knows but slightly wary with strangers, and — being intelligent and sensitive — needing a firm but not domineering style of training.
Facts
| Size | Medium |
|---|---|
| Height | 35.6–40.6cm |
| Weight | 9.1–13.6kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–15years |
| Breed group | AKC: sporting |
| Role | Sporting |
| Coat | Double coat |
| Shedding | 3/ 5 |
| Exercise | 60–120min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 3 hours |
| Companionship need | 5/ 5 |
| Trainability | 5/ 5 |
| Barking | 3/ 5 |
| Good with children | 3/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 3/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 2/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 4/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
A very limited founding population
The AKC breed page notes that the Kooikerhondje originates from a very limited founding population and is susceptible to various hereditary conditions, and recommends breeding practices that keep the coefficient of inbreeding down to promote genetic diversity. Ask your breeder about the litter's coefficient of inbreeding.
Polymyositis (PMN)
Polymyositis is the first current health concern listed on the AKC breed page for the Kooikerhondje. If your dog seems weak, stiff or has trouble swallowing, raise it with your vet.
Renal disorders and epilepsy
The AKC breed page also lists renal disorders and epilepsy among current health concerns in the Kooikerhondje. Ask your vet what monitoring is sensible for the breed.
Behaviour
Outgoing with its own people, wary with strangers
The UKC standard says the Kooikerhondje is a lively, affectionate dog equally at home as a hunting dog or a family companion; Kooikers are confident and outgoing with people they know but slightly wary with strange people and dogs, and do well with children they are brought up with. Because of their intelligence and sensitivity the standard says they require a firm but not domineering style of training.
Highly trainable, and wants to be with you
The AKC scores the Kooikerhondje 5 of 5 for trainability and 5 of 5 for affection with family, with mental stimulation needs at 4 of 5 — which is why PocketPaw sets its companionship need to 5 and its sensible time alone to about three hours. Energy is scored 4 of 5, putting daily purposeful exercise in the 60–120 minute band.
A working sporting dog outdoors
The AKC describes the Kooikerhondje as faithful, easy-going and friendly in the home but, outdoors, a true sporting dog — keen, swift, tough, attentive and energetic, with enough perseverance and stamina to enjoy working, and doing so with a cheerful character.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
United Kennel Club — Kooikerhondje breed standard
UKC Gun Dog Group standard: the Dutch duck-decoy history and post-war revival, characteristics, the water-repellent double coat, and a height of 14–16 in.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
American Kennel Club — Nederlandse Kooikerhondje (Sporting Group)
AKC breed page: dogs 16 in / females 15 in, weight 20–30 lb, life expectancy 12–15 years, the AKC breed-trait scores, and the parent club health statement listing polymyositis, renal disorders and epilepsy.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Kooikerhondje — Official UKC Breed Standard — United Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Nederlandse Kooikerhondje — breed page — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.