Keeshond

A sitting Keeshond with a beautiful silver coat.

Keeshond: The Friendly and Fluffy Companion

The Keeshond is a friendly and intelligent companion breed known for its thick fluffy coat, fox-like expression, and affectionate personality. Originally developed in the Netherlands as a watchdog and barge companion, the Keeshond combines alertness and loyalty with a cheerful and highly social temperament that makes it an excellent family dog. These people-oriented dogs thrive on companionship and do best with owners who can provide regular interaction, moderate exercise, and positive training, as Keeshonds enjoy being closely involved in daily family life. Their playful and gentle nature typically makes them wonderful companions for children and other pets, while their alertness and vocal tendencies also make them dependable watchdogs. With their expressive “spectacle” markings, plush coat, and loving personality, the Keeshond is an excellent choice for families or individuals seeking a devoted and entertaining companion dog.


⭐ 3 Things You May Not Know About the Keeshond

  1. The Keeshond became a symbol of Dutch patriotism during a political movement in the Netherlands during the 18th century.
  2. Keeshonden were commonly kept on Dutch riverboats and barges, where they served as watchdogs and loyal companions.
  3. The breed is famous for the distinctive dark markings around its eyes, often called “spectacles,” which create its expressive appearance.

🐾 Keeshond Breed Overview

  • Size: Medium
  • Weight: 35-45 lbs
  • Lifespan: 12-15 years
  • Temperament: Friendly, Alert, Intelligent
  • Coat: Thick, double coat
  • Exercise Needs: Moderate
  • Group: Non-Sporting

🐾 Quick Facts About the Keeshond

  • Energy Level: Moderate — Keeshonden enjoy walks, playtime, and family activity but are generally adaptable indoors.
  • Grooming Needs: High — Their thick double coat requires regular brushing, especially during seasonal shedding periods.
  • Good With Kids: Yes — Keeshonden are typically affectionate, friendly, and playful with families and children.
  • Trainability: High — Intelligent and eager to please, they respond very well to positive reinforcement training.
  • Barking Level: Moderate to High — Keeshonden are naturally alert watchdogs and may bark to notify their family of activity around the home.

History & Origin

The Keeshond originated in the Netherlands, where it developed as a versatile companion and watchdog on riverboats, barges, and farms. The breed descends from ancient northern spitz-type dogs known for their thick coats, curled tails, and alert temperament. Over time, Dutch families came to value these dogs for their loyalty, intelligence, and dependable watchdog instincts.

Keeshonden became especially associated with the barges and canal boats that traveled throughout Holland’s waterways. Boat owners and tradesmen relied on the breed to guard cargo, alert families to strangers, and provide companionship during long journeys. Their thick weather-resistant coat helped them tolerate the cool damp climate common in the Netherlands.

The breed gained historical significance during the late 18th century when it became connected to the Dutch Patriot political movement. A political leader named Cornelis de Gyselaer owned a dog named “Kees,” and the breed gradually became associated with the movement and nicknamed the Keeshond, meaning “Kees’ dog.” Even after the political conflict ended, the breed remained an important part of Dutch culture and history.

Unlike some spitz breeds developed primarily for hunting or herding, the Keeshond was bred mainly for companionship and watchdog duties. Its cheerful personality, expressive face, and strong bond with people helped it become a beloved family companion beyond the Netherlands as well.

Modern Keeshonden still retain many characteristics shaped by centuries of close companionship with people. Their alertness, sociability, intelligence, and affectionate nature reflect generations of selective breeding for life alongside families and travelers. Beneath the breed’s fluffy coat and smiling expression remains a lively and deeply devoted Dutch companion dog strongly connected to the history of Holland’s waterways and culture.


Physical Characteristics

The Keeshond is a medium-sized spitz breed known for its thick silver-and-black coat, fox-like face, curled tail, and distinctive “spectacle” markings around the eyes. Originally developed in the Netherlands as a watchdog and companion on river barges, the breed combines intelligence, alertness, affection, and striking appearance with classic Nordic spitz characteristics.

The breed possesses a compact sturdy frame with moderate bone structure, deep chest, strong hindquarters, and balanced athletic movement. The Keeshond should appear elegant, fluffy, and agile without becoming coarse or overly refined.

One of the breed’s most recognizable features is its abundant double coat. The dense undercoat provides insulation, while the long harsh outer coat creates the breed’s thick luxurious appearance and prominent neck ruff.

The head is wedge-shaped with a pointed muzzle, dark almond-shaped eyes, and highly expressive face. The breed’s famous dark markings and shadings around the eyes create the appearance of “spectacles,” contributing greatly to its intelligent alert expression.

The ears are small, triangular, and erect, blending naturally into the thick head furnishings while enhancing the breed’s attentive appearance.

The coat coloration is typically a mixture of gray, silver, cream, and black shading, creating a rich layered appearance unique to the breed.

The tail is heavily plumed and carried curled tightly over the back in classic spitz fashion. Movement should appear smooth, agile, and lively with excellent balance and coordination.

The Keeshond’s compact athletic structure allows agility and endurance while maintaining graceful movement beneath its heavy coat.

Although fluffy and decorative in appearance, the breed remains sturdy and active with strong watchdog instincts and surprising athletic ability.

Overall, the Keeshond projects cheerfulness, intelligence, alertness, and classic companion-spitz beauty through its luxurious coat and expressive face.

For a broader comparison of how this breed’s size compares to others, see our Dog Size & Weight Guide.


Temperament & Personality

The Keeshond is known for being affectionate, intelligent, cheerful, and highly people-oriented. This breed forms strong emotional bonds with its family and thrives on companionship and social interaction.

With family members, Keeshonden are typically loving, playful, and emotionally connected. Many individuals strongly prefer remaining near their people and actively participating in household routines and activities.

The breed is generally outgoing and socially friendly with both familiar people and strangers when properly socialized. Their warm approachable temperament contributes greatly to their popularity as family companions.

Keeshonden are naturally alert and observant, often making excellent watchdogs due to their awareness and tendency to vocalize when something unusual occurs.

Because of their emotionally sensitive nature, the breed generally responds best to calm positive interaction and stable household environments. Harsh correction or forceful handling may reduce confidence or create anxiety.

The Keeshond is intelligent and eager to learn, often responding exceptionally well to positive reinforcement training and mentally engaging activities.

The breed usually coexists very well with children, other dogs, and household pets when properly socialized and supervised.

Because of their deeply social temperament, Keeshonden generally do not tolerate prolonged isolation well. Without enough companionship and stimulation, some individuals may become vocal or develop anxiety-related behaviors.

Many individuals maintain playful puppy-like enthusiasm well into adulthood while still developing into calm affectionate companions indoors.

The breed often thrives in homes where regular interaction, companionship, and family involvement are consistently provided.

In the right home, the Keeshond becomes a joyful, affectionate, emotionally connected companion with lively personality and strong family devotion.

For a broader overview of personality differences between breed groups, visit our Dog Breed Temperament Guide.


Exercise & Training

The Keeshond is a moderately active and intelligent breed that requires regular exercise and mental stimulation to remain physically healthy and emotionally balanced.

Daily walks, obedience exercises, play sessions, agility, interactive games, and mentally engaging activities help satisfy the breed’s physical and emotional needs.

Although not excessively hyperactive, the Keeshond is energetic and playful and benefits greatly from opportunities for movement and social interaction.

Training is generally highly rewarding because Keeshonden are intelligent, cooperative, and eager to work closely with people.

Positive reinforcement methods using praise, treats, encouragement, and consistency usually produce excellent long-term results. The breed responds best to engaging relationship-based training rather than harsh correction.

Early socialization is important for encouraging confidence around unfamiliar people, sounds, animals, and environments. Positive exposure during puppyhood contributes greatly to stable adaptable adult behavior.

Because of their alert vocal nature, early training should include appropriate barking management and impulse control.

The breed often excels in canine sports and activities including agility, obedience, rally, therapy work, and trick training.

Keeshonden generally adapt very well to many living situations provided exercise, companionship, and mental engagement needs are consistently met.

Although lively during activity, many individuals settle calmly indoors once physical and emotional needs have been properly satisfied.

For owners seeking an affectionate, trainable companion breed with moderate exercise needs and strong social temperament, the Keeshond can become an exceptionally rewarding companion.

Learn more on our Dog Training Page.


Grooming & Coat Care

The Keeshond has moderate-to-high grooming requirements due to its thick double coat and substantial seasonal shedding cycles.

The dense double coat should be brushed several times per week using slicker brushes, pin brushes, and undercoat tools to remove loose hair and prevent matting.

During seasonal shedding periods, especially in spring and fall, the breed may “blow coat” heavily and require more frequent brushing to manage substantial undercoat release.

Despite the heavy coat, the Keeshond naturally resists dirt reasonably well and often maintains a relatively clean appearance with regular grooming.

Bathing is generally needed only periodically to maintain coat cleanliness and healthy skin condition. Overbathing should be avoided because it may strip beneficial oils and reduce coat quality.

Routine grooming should also include nail trimming, dental care, ear cleaning, and inspection of the skin and coat for irritation or debris.

Owners should avoid shaving the coat unless medically necessary because the double coat helps regulate body temperature and protect the skin from environmental exposure.

The thick neck ruff, tail plume, and leg furnishings require careful brushing to prevent tangles and maintain healthy coat appearance.

Because the breed sheds heavily during coat transitions, regular grooming is especially important for maintaining household cleanliness and coat health.

Regular grooming sessions also provide valuable opportunities to monitor body condition, skin health, and overall physical well-being throughout life.

With proper grooming, exercise, preventive care, and regular maintenance, the Keeshond maintains its luxurious coat, lively personality, and healthy companion-dog vitality throughout its life.

Learn more on our Dog Grooming Page.


Health Overview

The Keeshond is an intelligent, affectionate, and highly social spitz breed known for its thick silver-gray coat, fox-like expression, and cheerful personality. Originally developed in the Netherlands as a watchdog and companion on barges and farms, the Keeshond is generally considered a healthy and resilient breed, but like many medium-sized companion and spitz breeds, it can still be prone to several inherited and structural health concerns. Understanding common Keeshond health problems and recommended breeder health testing can help puppy buyers make more informed decisions when selecting a healthy puppy. Because this breed combines dense double coat, active movement, emotional sensitivity, and moderate athleticism, maintaining healthy joints, eye health, skin condition, mobility, and overall body condition is especially important throughout the dog’s life.

Health issues sometimes seen in Keeshonden may include hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), cataracts, epilepsy, hypothyroidism, and age-related arthritis. Some individuals may also develop allergies, obesity-related orthopedic stress, hereditary eye concerns, or skin irritation later in life. Because the Keeshond is naturally active and highly people-oriented, maintaining proper body condition and regular exercise is especially important for supporting long-term orthopedic wellness and emotional health. While not every Keeshond will develop these conditions, understanding the breed’s health tendencies allows owners to make better long-term decisions regarding breeding, exercise, grooming, nutrition, and preventive veterinary care.


Health Testing & Responsible Breeding

Responsible Keeshond breeders should perform appropriate health screenings before breeding in order to reduce the likelihood of inherited conditions being passed to future generations. Many puppy buyers are encouraged to ask about health testing, but they are often unsure which evaluations are most important for this breed. In the Keeshond, careful attention to orthopedic, eye, thyroid, and overall structural health is especially valuable.

Buyers should ask whether the sire and dam have completed OFA or PennHIP hip evaluations, patella evaluations, ophthalmologist-performed eye examinations, and thyroid screening when appropriate. Responsible breeders may also discuss orthopedic longevity, temperament stability, coat quality, mobility, and overall lifespan within their bloodlines. Some breeders may additionally monitor for hereditary neurological or immune-related concerns depending on pedigree history.

Unlike some breeds selected primarily for appearance alone, responsible Keeshond breeding programs often place strong emphasis on healthy movement, stable temperament, and long-term wellness because the breed was historically valued as both a watchdog and close human companion. Ethical breeders understand that preserving the Keeshond involves much more than maintaining coat beauty or expression — it also includes protecting healthy function, emotional stability, sensory wellness, and long-term vitality.

Before Keeshond puppies are placed into new homes, they should receive a complete veterinary wellness examination that evaluates the heart, eyes, joints, bite alignment, parasite status, overall structure, and general physical development. Because active companion breeds still place stress on developing joints during growth, proper nutrition and carefully managed exercise during puppyhood are especially important. Puppies should also leave with age-appropriate vaccinations, deworming records, feeding guidance, and recommendations for safe socialization, grooming, and training during development.

A responsible Keeshond breeder should willingly provide documentation of completed health clearances and openly discuss inherited health concerns affecting the breed. Puppy buyers should be cautious of breeders who avoid health discussions, refuse to provide testing information, or claim their dogs are completely free of health problems. Ethical breeding focuses on reducing inherited risk through careful selection, health screening, pedigree knowledge, and lifelong breeder support rather than making unrealistic promises.


Preventive Care & Long-Term Wellness

Maintaining healthy body condition and regular exercise is especially important for the Keeshond because this breed is naturally energetic, playful, and mentally active. Without sufficient physical activity and mental stimulation, some individuals may become vocal, anxious, hyperactive, or emotionally frustrated. Regular exercise helps support cardiovascular fitness, muscle tone, coordination, joint stability, and emotional well-being throughout life.

The Keeshond is also an extremely people-oriented and intelligent breed that benefits from regular mental stimulation and structured interaction. Walks, obedience work, puzzle toys, scent games, agility activities, and interactive play all contribute to emotional balance and long-term wellness.

The breed’s thick double coat requires regular brushing and grooming maintenance to help manage shedding and maintain healthy skin and coat condition. Grooming sessions also provide an excellent opportunity to monitor for parasites, lumps, skin irritation, coat-quality changes, or developing health concerns.

Because Keeshonden are highly social dogs that thrive on companionship, emotional wellness and regular interaction are important parts of maintaining overall quality of life.

Routine veterinary examinations throughout adulthood and senior years remain important for monitoring mobility, orthopedic wellness, eye condition, thyroid health, skin condition, and overall quality of life. Early detection of developing health concerns often allows for more successful long-term management and improved outcomes.


Lifespan & Senior Keeshond Care

The Keeshond often lives approximately 12 to 15 years when responsibly bred and properly cared for. Senior Keeshonden may gradually develop arthritis, reduced stamina, hearing decline, vision changes, muscle loss, or decreased mobility as they age. Some older dogs may also become more prone to orthopedic stiffness or sensory decline during the senior years.

As Keeshonden enter their senior years, many owners focus on maintaining moderate low-impact exercise, healthy weight management, supportive bedding, joint support, continued mental stimulation, and routine wellness monitoring. Because the breed often remains emotionally connected and playful throughout life, continued companionship and interaction remain especially important even during old age.

With attentive care, preventive veterinary support, responsible breeding, and a healthy lifestyle, many Keeshonden continue to thrive as cheerful, affectionate, and highly devoted companions throughout their lives.


Is the Keeshond Dog Breed Right for You?

The Keeshond is an intelligent, affectionate, and highly social spitz breed known for its cheerful personality, fluffy coat, and strong bond with its family. Originally developed as both a watchdog and companion, the Keeshond thrives when given companionship, exercise, structure, and close interaction with its people.

While loving and adaptable, the Keeshond is not the ideal fit for every household. Here’s a quick overview to help you decide:

✔ Ideal for:

  • Families seeking an affectionate and interactive companion dog
  • Owners able to provide companionship and regular engagement
  • People comfortable with grooming and coat maintenance
  • Homes looking for a lively and adaptable family dog
  • Owners interested in obedience, tricks, or canine activities

❌ Not Ideal for:

  • People unable to provide companionship and interaction
  • Homes where the dog will frequently be isolated or inactive
  • Owners seeking a highly independent or low-energy dog
  • People unprepared for grooming and shedding maintenance
  • Homes unwilling to manage barking tendencies and training needs

Where to Find a Keeshond

If you’re interested in bringing a dog of this breed into your home, consider adopting from a rescue organization or finding a reputable breeder.

Find a Reliable Rescue:

Read our page about how to adopt from a reliable dog rescue.

Find reliable rescues through our Dog Rescue Directory.

Find a Responsible Breeder:

Read our information page about buying a healthy puppy from a responsible breeder.

Find responsible breeders through our Dog Breeders Directory.


Puppy Considerations

Keeshond puppies are playful, affectionate, and highly people-oriented from an early age. Early socialization and positive reinforcement training are important to help puppies develop confidence, emotional stability, and appropriate behavior.

Because these puppies mature into active and emotionally connected companion dogs, early structure and healthy social experiences are especially important. Their curiosity, intelligence, and attachment to people often become obvious very early in development.

Puppies benefit from:

  • Early socialization with people, dogs, sounds, and environments
  • Positive reinforcement training and structured routines
  • Daily exercise and mentally stimulating activities
  • Confidence-building exercises and interactive play
  • Regular grooming handling and coat-care routines

Because Keeshond puppies are emotionally sensitive and highly social, calm guidance and consistent interaction are especially important during development.


Living With a Keeshond

Living with a Keeshond is often rewarding for owners who appreciate affectionate, lively, and highly interactive companion dogs. These dogs generally form strong bonds with their families and often enjoy participating in everyday household activities.

The Keeshond requires regular physical exercise and mental stimulation to remain healthy and emotionally balanced. Many enjoy walks, puzzle toys, obedience work, agility games, and interactive play with their families.

This breed generally does best in homes where it receives companionship, structure, training, and opportunities to stay mentally occupied. Without enough engagement or interaction, boredom may lead to excessive barking, anxiety, clingy behavior, or emotional frustration.

Although affectionate and social with family members, Keeshonden may naturally be somewhat alert and vocal around unfamiliar people or sounds. Early socialization and responsible ownership are important for helping the breed develop into a confident and stable adult.

Feeding a balanced, high-quality diet and maintaining a healthy weight are important for supporting mobility, muscle condition, orthopedic wellness, skin health, and overall quality of life. Routine veterinary care, exercise, training, grooming, and companionship all contribute to helping the breed thrive.


Final Thoughts…

The Keeshond is an affectionate, intelligent, and deeply loyal companion breed that thrives with owners who appreciate lively interaction and close emotional connection. Their cheerful personality, adaptability, and devotion make them wonderful companions in the right homes.

With proper exercise, preventive care, socialization, training, grooming, and companionship, the Keeshond can become a deeply rewarding and highly devoted lifelong companion.

Are you considering adding a Keeshond to your family?


🐶 Keeshonds FAQs


How long do Keeshonds live?

Keeshonds typically have a lifespan of about 12 to 15 years. With proper nutrition, regular veterinary care, and a healthy lifestyle, many enjoy long, active lives.

This breed is generally healthy but may be prone to certain inherited conditions such as hip dysplasia and thyroid issues. Routine health screenings help support long-term wellbeing.

What is the Keeshond temperament like?

Keeshonds are known for being friendly, affectionate, and alert. They are highly people-oriented dogs that enjoy close companionship with their families.

They tend to be expressive and social, often using their voice to communicate. Their cheerful and attentive nature makes them engaging companions.

Are Keeshonds good family dogs?

Yes, Keeshonds are often excellent family dogs. They are typically gentle and patient with children and enjoy being included in family activities.

They do best in homes that provide regular interaction and companionship. Consistent routines and positive engagement help them thrive in family environments.

Do Keeshonds shed a lot?

Keeshonds are heavy shedders due to their thick double coat. They shed year-round, with heavier shedding during seasonal coat changes.

Regular brushing several times per week helps manage shedding and keeps the coat healthy. More frequent grooming is needed during heavy shedding periods.

Are Keeshonds easy to train?

Keeshonds are intelligent and generally eager to please, making them relatively easy to train. They respond well to positive reinforcement and gentle guidance.

Early training and socialization help develop good manners and confidence. Short, engaging training sessions are most effective.


🐕 Related Breeds You Might Like

If you’re interested in the Keeshond, you may also enjoy learning about these similar spitz-type companion breeds:

  • Samoyed – A friendly northern breed known for a thick coat and a sociable, people-oriented temperament.
  • Finnish Lapphund – An adaptable spitz-type breed valued for intelligence, friendliness, and family focus.
  • Norwegian Elkhound – A sturdy spitz breed known for confidence, loyalty, and alertness.

🐾 Lisa’s Picks for Keeshond

As someone who has worked with dogs for over 50 years—including more than 20 years helping with housebreaking and everyday care—I’m often asked for product recommendations. I’ve found that a few simple items can make a big difference in a dog’s comfort and daily routine.

If you have a Keeshond or are planning to bring one into your home, these products and tips can help support your journey together.

🛏️ 1. Dog Beds

👉 My Tip:  Waterproof Bed Protection (My Personal Favorite Trick)

One thing I personally do is use twin-size waterproof mattress covers over larger dog beds. They’re easy to wash, protect the bed beneath, and save money long-term—especially helpful for puppies, seniors, or heavy shedders. You can find different colors and patterns that fit your decor.

For tiny dog beds, you can use waterproof pillow covers that fit over the beds to protect them and save money long-term.

I use the same idea around the house, too. Washable, waterproof couch covers are a simple way to protect furniture from dirt, shedding, and accidents—especially helpful with puppies, seniors, or dogs that love the couch.

Orthopedic Foam Dog Beds:
A high-quality orthopedic bed is one of the best investments you can make for your dog. I recommend these for every breed, once they are out of the chewing stage, especially as they age. They provide joint support, improve comfort, and help dogs truly rest.

Tough Dog Beds for Dogs That Chew:
If your dog tends to chew or destroy their bedding, a standard plush bed may not last long. In these cases, I recommend tough, chew-resistant dog beds made with reinforced materials.
These are designed to hold up better against digging, scratching, and chewing, and can save you from constantly replacing beds. While no bed is completely indestructible, choosing a more durable option can make a big difference.

Puppies need Simple Washable Bedding:
For young puppies that are still learning house training, I often suggest starting with simple, washable blankets instead of an expensive dog bed.
Thick towels, fleece throws, or washable pads work very well during this stage. They’re easy to clean, quick to replace, and help protect your main dog beds until your puppy is more reliable. Once house training is more consistent, you can transition to a more permanent, supportive bed.

✂️ 2. Proper Grooming Tools for the Keeshond Coat

Keeshonds have a thick, plush double coat with a dense undercoat and abundant outer coat, so using the right grooming tools makes a big difference.

A pin brush works well for regular brushing to keep the coat free of tangles and remove loose hair, while an undercoat rake helps remove loose undercoat—especially during seasonal shedding. A metal comb is useful for detail work around the ears, mane, tail, and feathered areas where mats can develop.

Keeshonds shed heavily during seasonal coat changes (“blowing coat”), and more frequent brushing during these times helps control loose hair and prevent undercoat buildup. Regular grooming also helps maintain the breed’s beautiful fluffy appearance and healthy coat condition.

Regular brushing:

  • Helps prevent mats
  • Reduces shedding
  • Keeps the coat healthy and fluffy

🦴 3. Treats (Great for All Dogs)

  • Jerky Treats for Dogs: Almost all dogs love soft, easy-to-break NATURAL jerky treats. They’re perfect for rewarding good behavior without overfeeding. Soft jerky treats provide protein and are easy to chew.

  • Tiny Treats for Small Dogs
    For small dogs, I recommend using very tiny, NATURAL training treats that are soft and easy to chew. This lets you reward often without overfeeding.
  • Stronger Chew Treats for Larger Dogs
    Dogs that enjoy a more robust chewing experience will benefit from stronger chew treats. Some larger dogs may still go through them quickly, while others will take more time—so it often depends on the individual dog.

👉 My Tip: Check Ingredient Labels

I always recommend checking the ingredient label when choosing treats at the store. Dogs don’t need added sugar or artificial ingredients, and some treats can upset their stomach or cause diarrhea. Look for all-natural ingredient labels, and single ingredient or few ingredient labels are preferred.

It’s important to note that even among the same breed, some dogs enjoy chewing more than others, and many have preferences for certain types of chews. If you notice bleeding gums during chewing, it’s a good idea to have your dog examined by a veterinarian to rule out any dental issues.

🧠 4. Enrichment Toys for Mental Stimulation

Keeshond are active, so giving them something to do is important.

An enrichment toy can help:

  • Prevent boredom
  • Reduce unwanted behaviors
  • Keep their mind engaged

When choosing an enrichment toy, think about your dog’s personality and needs. Some dogs love puzzle toys and mental challenges, while others are happier with something they can chew or carry around.

🐕 5. Safe, Comfortable Harness, Collar & Leash

From my experience, choosing the right walking gear can make a big difference in both safety and control. Some harnesses and collars are designed to help prevent dogs from slipping out, which is especially important for strong or easily startled dogs, and those are the types I personally recommend for safety.

Harness: A quality, comfortable properly fitted harness can make walks more comfortable and easier to manage—especially for dogs that tend to pull or get excited outdoors. If you have a dog that tries to wiggle out of their harness, search for an “escape proof” harness that has an extra strap towards the back.

Collar: I use and prefer safety martingale collars, as they can help prevent dogs from backing out of their collar while still being more gentle than traditional collars when used correctly.

Leash: Choose a lightweight leash for small dogs and a sturdier, heavier leash for larger dogs to ensure good control. Nylon leashes are strong and long-lasting. Some leashes also include a comfortable padded handle.

👉 My Tip: Avoid Retractable Leashes

I don’t recommend retractable leashes, as they can break and tangle easily and create safety issues and tripping hazards.

💡 Lisa’s Tip:

You don’t need a lot of products to care for a dog well… just the right ones. Focus on comfort, consistency, and routine, and you’ll make life easier for both you and your dog.


🔎 Affiliate Note

Some links on this page may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, Dog-Breeds.net may earn a small commission that will help us to continue our message of dog owner education—at no extra cost to you.


Learn more about responsible dog ownership, dog health and daily care:

 

Written by Lisa Puskas — Author and founder of Dog-Breeds.net with 50+ years of hands-on experience raising, showing, and training dogs. She is dedicated to preserving dog breeds, educating responsible ownership, and supporting rescue organizations by helping improve long-term adoption success.