Keeshonds

 

Thank you Analyen for answering these questions for the SD Fever!

 

​

1.) At which point of time did you first take attention to this breed?

​

Keeshonds have been my primary breed in this kennel since it was first established, and have always been my main focus.

​

2.) Why did you choose them and what Show placings are possible?

​

Showing, for me, will always be the most enthralling part of the game. I look for breeds which have the potential to place in group and in show. Keeshonds struck my attention as they were just beginning to be competitive against other breeds at the time.
Keeshonds are rapidly becoming more competitive in the showring, nowadays. I tend to pick up group placements most nights, and occasionally in-show wins also.

​

3.) What is the current highest SOP?

​

Current highest is a 90.20 bitch of mine, followed by a 90.05 bred by PPKeeshond. We have only just hit the 90's.

​

4.) How fast do they finish?

​

Finishing time depends entirely on the dog and the owner's skill. Finishable SOP for a Keeshond, in my experience, is 89.50+ now, however finishing a lower SOP is possible. With a quality dog and handler combination, I would suspect tha​t it would take around five to ten days. It is always difficult to predict, given that it is never set in stone. I have some dogs which finish within three days, others which take fifteen. Given that we have majors each night, there are always opportunities to claim points.

​

5.) How friendly/willing to help are the breeders?

​

All of the Keeshond breeders, whom I have dealt with, are very friendly players. If you approach any kennel involved within Keeshonds you will find that they are more than willing to help.

​

6.) Is there a solid basic for the breed, or there are many players come and go?

We have had a few players leave our breed in the past month, but we also have influxes of new players on occasion. Keeshonds are, by no means, a "dying" breed in desperate need of kennels. However, I would definitely appreciate a few new names to compete against.

​

7.) Are there color breeding programs? What color has the highest SOP?

​

Not that I know of, given Keeshonds come just three colors. Wolf-gray and Black, Black and Silver and Gray Cream and Black. I have found no need to color breed, as each color seems to be evenly distributed.

​

8.) How successful are you in shows with your dogs?

​

As I mentioned previously, Keeshonds are quite competitive in the group/show ring. Most months my own dogs will rank within the top five to ten in the Non-Sporting group. I also pick up group wins almost each night, and have had great success within the in-show ring also.

​

9.) Is it easy to get shows and handlers? Are there special judges where it is hard to get the best handlers?
 

I believe so. Enter a few days in advance and you will likely nab the best handler(s). Enter the night before and you will still claim third or fourth best. Often I co-ordinate with the other breeders and enter within the "no handler" shows, so that our dogs are judged based on their traits rather than on the handler that they've been assigned.

​

10.) Last but not least: Is it hard to sell puppies? What is the price of stud fees? Puppy sales?

​

Personally, my own puppy sales are on a good level. I generally only put a couple of finishable puppies up for sale, and they are generally sold within a few days. Like all breeds, we go through phases where sales are slow, but on average puppy sales are good. My puppies/adults are sold for $100.
I dislike breeds where the top kennel(s) ask excessive amounts for their studs, simply because they are the best in the breed. My studs are put up for $50, and I will occasionally ask $100 for an extra special stud.

​

The most important thing for the Keeshond breed is that we must keep a steady level of breeders showing in the ring in order to generate major points each night. I would like for us to have one or two more serious kennels involved within Keeshonds, so that our numbers are higher.
Anyone reading this who may be interested in joining us, I encourage you to PM me. Even if you would only like a few questions answered, I am happy to help.