I have a 12 year old dog which is part Chow and part Keeshond.

I know that Chows originated in China and can be extremely temperamental and nasty at times.

I am curious as to where the Keeshond originated.

This one looks much younger than its 12 years and is as gentle as a bunny rabbit.

She barks a lot when someone walks up to my door, thus making her a very good watch dog, but whenever a stranger comes into the house, "Abby" sniffs him/her and apparently, finds all of my friends to be OK as she never grumbles or bites.

I do not know what she would do if someone were to break in and threaten either one of us although I do know that if we (my wife and I) are playing around and it looks like one of us is hurting the other, she will growl and bark - giving me the feeling that she would protect the underdog. Am I correct?

Thanks for any help you can give.

Reply to Japippy@AOL.Com and use Keeshond in Subject line - thanks.