Mixed Breed Icon
  • Activity Level: moderate
    starstarstarstarno star
  • Shedding Level: high
    starstarstarno starno star
  • Grooming Level: moderate
    starstarstarno starno star
  • Trainability: high
    starstarstarstarno star
  • Good for Novice Owners: moderate
    starstarstarstarno star
  • Adaptability: high
    starstarstarstarno star
  • Kid/Pet Friendly: often
    starstarstarstarstar
  • Prey Drive: high
    starstarstarno starno star
  • Watchdog: very alert
    starstarstarstarstar
  • Average Size: Medium
  • Average Lifespan: 12-15 years

Keeshond Mix Dog Breed Information

Overview

Temperament

Adaptability

Health

Owner Experience

Grooming

Activity Level

Size

Life Span

A Keeshond Mix is a cross between a Keeshond and another dog breed. Because a mix can take on any combination of characteristics from their parents, it’s important to talk to the breeder about the other parent breed in the mix.

Should a Keeshond Mix take after their Kees parent, they will be a small dog that makes a great companion for single owners and for families. They also often make great watchdogs.

Keeshonden are playful and energetic. They are also affectionate, friendly, and love to be around their families. They tend to get along well with children and other dogs, but may need some extra socialization with other small pets.

They also tend to be open and friendly with strangers once introduced, but will bark to alert you. If you do not train your dog to stop barking early on, their alert barking can become a nuisance behavior.

If the other parent breed has similar temperament traits, then you can likely expect the same from a Keeshond Mix. You will still want to ask the breeder about them as they will introduce their own quirks that you will want to be aware of.

You can also meet the mother in person to see what her temperament is like and the behavior she is modeling for puppies. The breeder should have started some training and socialization. However, it is up to you to continue to train and socialize a puppy once you get them home.

The Keeshond is a highly adaptable dog that does well in homes with larger yards as well as apartments. They do not like to be left alone for long periods of time and tend to handle most climates well.

If the other parent breed is also highly adaptable, then you can expect the same from a Keeshond Mix. It’s still important to talk to the breeder about them because they will introduce quirks and traits of their own that you will want to know about in case they show up in a Kees Mix.

Mixed-breed dogs can sometimes be healthier than purebred dogs. But, it all depends on the parents, and good breed practices make a huge difference.

Potential health concerns to be aware of in a Keeshond Mix that come from the Keeshond can include patellar luxation, eye issues, elbow dysplasia, and hip dysplasia. You will want to talk to the breeder about the other parent breed.

Since reputable breeders screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies, you should be able to ask them about the health and genetic history of both of the parents. You can also ask about any health clearances or tests that have been done.

The Keeshond is a highly trainable dog. They are eager to please and intelligent, which means they pick up on things quickly. It also means they can get bored easily and can also easily be trained into undesirable behaviors if you’re not careful. In general, they’re a good fit for owners of all experience levels.

If the other parent breed is also easy to train, then you can expect something similar from a Keeshond Mix. If the other parent breed presents some training obstacles, you’ll want to be ready to enroll in obedience classes. There are several benefits of puppy training classes, so they tend to be a bonus even if you don’t necessarily need them.

A Keeshond Mix can inherit a coat that is just like one of their parents or a coat that is some combination of both. If they end up with a Kees coat, they will shed moderately year-round, shed heavier as the seasons change, need weekly brushing, and require professional grooming every 4-6 weeks.

In addition to coat care, you will also need to take care of a Keeshond Mix’s nails, ears, and teeth. The dog groomer will be able to help with some of this during appointments, but you will still need to take care of things at home between visits.

Nail trims once or twice a month keep nails from growing too long. Ear checks on a weekly basis with careful cleanings as needed can help prevent ear infections. Daily brushing with a toothpaste for dogs or using an enzyme toothpaste every day, in addition to cleanings at the vet as needed, can help prevent painful dental diseases later in life.

A Kees sits in a moderate activity range. Daily walks and some playtime or time to run are usually enough for this dog, but they will likely be up for more activity if you are. If the other parent breed is similar, then you can expect the same from a Keeshond Mix. If the other parent breed requires more or less daily activity, then you will need to be prepared for that potential range.

Fully-grown Keeshonden usually stand 17-18 inches tall and weigh 35-45 pounds. The other parent breed can have a big effect on this, especially if they are the mother.

So, you need to ask the breeder about them. Although it’s not a guarantee, you can also meet the mother in person to get an idea of what size to expect in a fully-grown Keeshond Mix.

A Keeshond generally lives for 12-15 years. Although the other parent breed may affect this slightly, you should be able to expect a similar average life span from Keeshond Mixes.