Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Overview
The Kooikerhondje is an ancient Dutch breed developed in the 17th century for duck hunting with decoys and nets. Dogs resembling the modern Kooikerhondje appear in paintings by Dutch Golden Age artists, including Rembrandt. The breed nearly disappeared by the mid-20th century but was restored in the 1940s through the efforts of Baroness van Hardenbroek. Today, the Kooikerhondje is recognized as a symbol of traditional Dutch hunting skill — an intelligent, obedient, and energetic dog that has preserved its ancient instincts along with a friendly, stable temperament.
General Appearance
The Kooikerhondje is a medium-sized, well-proportioned dog with a strong yet elegant build and a noble, expressive appearance. The body is slightly longer than tall, well-muscled, and balanced. The head is proportional, with a gentle expression. Ears are medium-length, pendulous, adorned with characteristic black tips known as “earrings.” The tail is well-feathered, carried cheerfully but not curled. The coat is of medium length, straight or slightly wavy, glossy, and water-resistant. Color is white with rich red patches. The overall impression is one of elegance, balance, and vitality — the hallmark of a true hunting companion.
Important Proportions
The Kooikerhondje’s body is slightly rectangular, with length exceeding height at the withers in a ratio of about 10:9. The head is in proportion to the body, the muzzle equal in length to the skull, with a smooth transition between forehead and muzzle. The chest is deep, reaching the elbows, and the ribs moderately sprung. Limbs are of medium length, strong, and allow free and agile movement. The tail follows the topline naturally and never curls to the side. All proportions emphasize harmony, endurance, and balance.
Behavior and Temperament
The Kooikerhondje is calm, friendly, and devoted. It is active, energetic, and highly intelligent, responding well to training. The breed is eager to please and affectionate toward its owner, making it an excellent family companion. Kooikerhondjes enjoy outdoor activities and working tasks, showing alertness, endurance, and enthusiasm. They get along well with children and other animals but may be cautious with strangers. Their temperament combines balance, loyalty, and a natural willingness to cooperate.
Head
The head is proportionate to the body, with smooth, noble lines. The skull is moderately broad and slightly domed, with a gentle stop. The muzzle is straight, of medium length, and tapers slightly to the black nose. Cheeks are smooth; lips tight and dry. Eyes are almond-shaped, dark brown, with a soft, intelligent expression. Ears are set at eye level, medium length, pendulous, and end in black-tipped fringes — a distinctive feature of the breed. The overall expression is kind, alert, and intelligent.
Muzzle (Facial Part)
The muzzle is balanced and cleanly shaped. It is of medium length, straight, and smoothly tapers toward the nose. The nose is always black with well-developed nostrils. Lips are thin and tight, without looseness. The chin is firm but not heavy, and the whisker pads are moderately defined, giving the face a friendly, noble look. The overall impression is one of attentiveness and warmth.
Eyes
The eyes are almond-shaped, medium-sized, and set slightly obliquely. The color is dark brown, harmonizing with the reddish coat. The expression is lively, intelligent, and kind, reflecting the breed’s calm and loyal nature. The eyelid rims are dark and tight, emphasizing the breed’s soft, friendly appearance.
Ears
The ears are of medium length, pendant, set at or slightly above eye level, lying close to the head. The base is broad, with rounded tips directed toward the cheeks. The inner side is well feathered, and the characteristic black “earrings” on the tips add distinction. The ears are mobile, lifting slightly at the base when the dog is alert. Excessively large, small, or high-set ears are undesirable.
Neck
The neck is of medium length, strong, dry, and muscular, blending smoothly into the shoulders. It is slightly arched, lending the dog an elegant, confident posture. The skin is tight, without folds. The neck is covered with slightly longer hair, forming a subtle ruff, particularly in mature dogs. The neck should demonstrate a balance between strength and grace.
Body
The body is slightly elongated, compact, and well-balanced. The back is straight and firm, with strong musculature. The chest is deep with moderately sprung ribs, providing ample lung capacity. The loin is short and strong, slightly arched. The belly is slightly tucked, emphasizing the breed’s athletic silhouette. The lines of the body are smooth and harmonious, creating an impression of endurance and agility.
Tail
The tail is of medium length, well-feathered, forming a soft, full plume. It is set at the level of the backline, carried happily in a gentle upward curve but never curled over the back. At rest, it hangs naturally. The tail reflects the dog’s cheerful disposition and lively temperament. Short, stiff, or poorly set tails are faults.
Forequarters
The forelegs are straight, strong, and well-balanced. The shoulders are long, well laid back, and close to the body, forming proper angles for free, effortless movement. Elbows point directly backward, neither turned in nor out. Pasterns are slightly sloping and flexible. Feet are oval, compact, with thick pads and strong nails. The limbs should convey strength, mobility, and elegance.
Hindquarters
The hind legs are strong, muscular, and in proportion to the body. Thighs are long and powerful, with well-bent stifles providing smooth, springy movement. Hocks are low and firm, metatarsi short and straight. Feet are oval and compact, matching the forefeet. The hindquarters provide drive and balance, ensuring stable and effortless movement.
Gait and Movement
The gait is light, free, and springy, demonstrating natural grace and excellent coordination. Movements are straight, rhythmic, and balanced, with good reach in front and strong drive from behind. The topline remains steady and firm. The gait reflects the breed’s endurance, alertness, and working ability. Stiff, short, or crossing movement is considered faulty.
Coat
The coat is medium length, dense, and soft, with a slight wave and a glossy texture. The undercoat is fine and close-fitting, protecting from cold and moisture. Longer hair on the ears, chest, legs, and tail forms elegant feathering. The coat should be silky but not curly or coarse. Poor undercoat or short, harsh hair is undesirable. The coat should appear natural, well-groomed, and shiny.
Color
The permitted color is warm orange-red with white markings. White appears on the muzzle, chest, neck, belly, legs, and tail tip. The red shade ranges from golden to deep copper but must always be warm and clear. Black-tipped ears (“earrings”) are a distinctive and desirable feature. Undesirable colors include gray, black, diluted tones, or lack of white markings. The overall color should be vivid, clean, and well-defined.
Size
The Kooikerhondje is a medium-sized, well-balanced dog. Males stand 37–40 cm at the withers, females 35–38 cm. Weight ranges from 9 to 11 kg. The body is strong yet elegant, with light bone and good musculature. The impression should be one of harmony, agility, and stamina without heaviness.
Faults
Faults include coarse or overly light bone, narrow chest, short or long back, weak muscles, dull coat color, missing black ear fringes, or poor undercoat. Behavioral faults such as shyness, excitability, or aggression are undesirable. Minor deviations are acceptable if they do not compromise the breed’s overall balance.
Disqualifications
Disqualifying faults include aggression, fearfulness, unstable temperament; incorrect bite (overbite, underbite, jaw asymmetry); blue or mismatched eyes; lack of breed-specific white markings; overly short or curled tail; spinal or limb deformities; non-standard coat colors (solid black, gray, all white, or mismatched patterns); albinism; congenital defects affecting health or movement.
Important Notes
Only healthy, even-tempered dogs with correct movement and proper color pattern should be bred. Emphasis is placed on temperament, the characteristic red-and-white coloration, and the black “earrings.” Breeding should preserve working ability, stamina, and intelligence. Dogs with joint issues, structural weakness, or unstable behavior must not be used. Health, balance, and temperament are top priorities.
Conclusion
The Kooikerhondje is a balanced, intelligent, and energetic breed combining beauty, endurance, and friendliness. Graceful, loyal, and devoted, it is a perfect family companion and a capable working dog. In the ICCF system, it is valued for its natural harmony, stable temperament, and distinctive red-and-white coat, representing true Dutch elegance and character.
