well i've finally decided what my new furry buddy is gonna be. keeshonden! i love everything about them, the look, the personality, size, energy, they're generally a healthy breed... *hyper-happy* so far the only 'cons' that i've been able to gather are the amount of fur they blow, grooming requirements (however this isnt a problem, i love grooming ^.^ and am used to it having a rough collie x gsd, and a persian cat.) and that the tend to bark...but i'm still in my little information gathering stage, and will be for a long time as there is only 2 breeders in my state, and both rarely breed. so any information on this breed, that you have to offer would be greatly appreciated!!! also i know that they tend to 'alert bark'..but how much barking is this?

Well they are absolutely wonderful dogs. I have had mine for a couple of years and its the got the best temperament of any dog I have ever had. They love children and are very gentle. From what I can tell they wont bite even to defend themselves well mine wont anyway if he gets attacked by a big dog in the park he just rolls on his back and crys.

They do bark. They make good guard dogs in that sense they dont like people in or around there property uninvited. That said if anyone broke into my house I am sure he would roll over on his back and do nothing. They are quite excitable as well when he knows he is going out or getting a treat he will sometimes bark. At the end of the day most Spitz breeds are quite noisy but you get used to it. The Grooming is not a problem to be honest as long as you keep up with it. Unless you are showing them and they are not rolling round it muck a quick one over every week and a proper brush once every three weeks keeps their coat in good shape.

What state do you live in. They dont handle heat well at all so if its warm you will need air con !

Lovely dogs ! but they DO bark - LOTS !! - all the spitz breeds do it's their greatest drawback - it you can live with the noise then they make fantatstic pets ! :D

Lovely choice, Sure you will really enjoy him or her, (and if it gets to hot you can alway's send him over to me as we have snow on the ground at the moment) Viv

Owning five Elkhounds in a suburban house I can tell you it is important to be aware that Spitz do love to bark, but also there is absolutely no reason for them to be noisy if trained not to be.

The trick is knowing they are hard wired for this (like knowing that Collies will chase cyclists and joggers) and train accordingly.

What has worked for me is to never allow the pup the opportunity for excessive barking.  when the door bell goes or what have you allow one or two barks and physicaly if need be prevent any more and tell them to shush in a calm and quiet voice and praise for compliance.  Out in the garden if they bark at the neighbours, passersby, birds, cats or whatever be systematic about getting them straight indoors again, use a trailing lead if need be.  They will soon learn that their fun will be shortlived if they bark (use the shush command first).  I have also found that at a distance whenre they are out of reach a squirt bottle works wonders as a remote device.  Spray straight in the face, and in the brief lul, give your command again.  Spitz will not be frightened by this but will find it vaguely unpleasant.

I can never understand how some owners of any breed can just stand there while their dog barks and barks, it would just drive me bonkers, and shows very little consideration for others.