Nederlandse Kooikerhondje Club of Southern California
TEMPERAMENT
Originally, Kooikerhondjes had three jobs —
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luring wild ducks into traps on the eendenkooi, always in close partnership with the decoy man (known in Dutch as the Kooiker),
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alerting its family to strangers and danger, and
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hunting rats, mice, and other vermin on the eendenkooi, around the house, and on the farm.
Four hundred years later, the Kooikerhondje is still well suited for its original work. And that work tells us a lot about what to expect from our Kooikerhondjes.
The Partner
Work on the Eendenkooi required a calm, reliable, quiet dog that knows how to take direction without upsetting the ducks. A Kooikerhondje learned to move quickly and quietly within a foot or two of the ducks without panicking them, or giving any reason to swim or fly away. In fact, a big part of their job was to fascinate the ducks into following them. This calm, quiet, companionable disposition is very much the nature of Kooikerhondjes today. If there is an alarming situation or sound, the dog will growl and bark to alert you to possible danger. Sounding the alarm was essential to its second job—alerting the family to strangers and danger. But beyond that, the Kooikerhondje is quiet, not a fighter. And it expects a calm, reliable approach from its owners and its family. Rowdy activity, rough play, harsh shouting, or (heaven forbid!) punishment do not work well with the Kooikerhondje. Treat your Kooikerhondje with calm, quiet, respect, and your dog will reward you with a happy, outgoing, and exploratory temperament—ready and eager to work with you.
The decoy man and his dog could be out working together on the eendenkooi — just the man and his dog — for many days before returning home with their catch. The work in the eendenkooi was not only quiet, it was perhaps a bit lonely. Maybe this is the reason why Kooikerhondjes have a tendency to pick one person in the family he bonds with most closely. All others are accepted, loved, and respected, but that one member is … well, the one. Proper socialization beginning at an early age and continuing through early adulthood is essential to make sure your Kooikerhondje is comfortable and well-mannered with strangers and out in the community.
Additionally, Kooikerhondjes were not held in large packs as is common with some breeds, for example Beagles on the hunt. They can be respectful to other dogs when introduced properly, but they do not necessarily accept each and every dog. Don’t force this on your Kooikerhondje, we humans do not like everybody either! Therefore don’t expect to visit the dog park, with your Kooikerhondje. Instead, take a long walk in the forest, beach, or even city with your friend and their dog.
The Hunter
The eendenkooi also required pest control — a dog eager to hunt rats, mice, and other rodents. This was equally true at home and on the farm. The Kooikerhondjes were expected to do this work on their own without much or any instruction. We still see this ability and prey drive today in our Kooikerhondjes. Anything rat or mouse-like that moves is irresistible and must be caught and slain! This can be a problem if there is a road with traffic in the way. A strong incentive to always leash your Kooiker.
Life on the eendenkooi required seamless teamwork between the decoy man and his dog. That ability to respond quickly and interpret what is expected is alive and well in Kooikerhondjes today. Unlike a remote control where one presses one button, then the next to execute command after command; a Kooikerhondje learns to anticipate what comes next and just … does it. This is especially useful for activities like agility or search and rescue where the dog is taking directions from its handler but rely on its own initiative to get it done. This makes training and leadership (from you) very important. Otherwise, all that Kooikerhondje energy and ability to think may result in a dog that finds its own work. Usually not to the pleasure of the owner.
The Companion
But it is not all work, a Kooikerhondje knows how to relax also. Expect requests for hugs, cuddles, and couch time. Enjoy training and socializing your companionable Kooikerhondje. Take a long walk in your neighborhood, the forest, or the beach with your friend and his or her dog. Many people find their well-trained Kooikerhondje makes a good jogging or cycling companion. They will make sure there will be no rats or mice in your path, and you will laugh at their antics and their sheer pleasure in life.
