Hard
Keeshond
The Keeshond is a medium-sized Dutch barge dog with a striking thick, harsh outer coat and a dense, soft woolly undercoat. The breed is instantly recognizable by the distinctive pale spectacle markings around the eyes and the heavily plumed tail curled over the back. The double coat should never be shaved — it regulates body temperature in both heat and cold.
Coat Type
Thick, Harsh Outer Coat with Dense Woolly Undercoat (Double Coat)
Groom Every
Every 4-6 weeks
Styles Available
4 cuts
Cuts & Styles
Grooming Styles
1
Natural Keeshond Look
Full double coat maintained in its natural state with trimming limited to tidying the feet, hocks, and whiskers. The correct presentation for both show and pet.
2
De-Shedding Treatment
Thorough bath, blow-out, and undercoat removal treatment. Not a clip — the coat remains full-length but loose undercoat is removed to reduce shedding.
3
Show Coat Preparation
Thorough brushing, bathing, forced-air drying, and precise scissoring of feet and face furnishings to present the correct rounded, balanced silhouette.
4
Tidy and Nails
Maintenance groom focusing on paw tidy, nail trim, ear cleaning, and light brushout — not a cut, just maintenance.
Expert Advice
Care Tips
- Never shave a Keeshond — the double coat insulates from heat as well as cold; shaving causes post-clipping alopecia and may damage the coat permanently.
- The Keeshond is a heavy seasonal shedder — brush daily during spring and fall coat blows to manage the volume of loose undercoat.
- Use a de-shedding treatment (bath, forced-air dry, undercoat rake) rather than shaving for a dog that feels hot — it removes dead undercoat without damaging the guard hairs.
- The spectacle markings around the eyes are a key breed characteristic — never trim or shave the distinctive facial markings.
- Line brush using the layer-by-layer technique: part the coat and brush from skin outward in sections to reach all the way through the dense undercoat.
- The Keeshond's dense undercoat provides a perfect environment for fleas and skin parasites — inspect the skin during every brushing session.
Recommended Tools
What you'll need
Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush
BrushThe gold standard for poodles and doodles. Features long pins that penetrate deep into dense coats to remove tangles and fluff the hair.
$60 - $75
Miller's Forge Quality Nail Clipper
Nail CareUsed by professional groomers worldwide. Made of high-quality Italian stainless steel with a heavy-duty spring for clean, sharp cuts.
$10 - $15
Mars Coat King Undercoat Rake
BrushThe ultimate tool for double-coated breeds. Strips dead undercoat without damaging the guard hairs.
$40 - $60
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Deep Dives
Keeshond Grooming Guides
Summer Grooming
Heat management, coat care, and seasonal tips.
Read guide
Winter Coat Care
Cold-weather protection and moisture balance.
Read guide
Shedding Season
Survive the seasonal blowout without losing your mind.
Read guide
Prevent Matting
Detangle, prevent, and protect their coat year-round.
Read guide
Best Brushes
The right tools for this specific coat type.
Read guide
Nail Trimming
Safe nail care frequency and technique.
Read guide
Ear Cleaning
Prevent infections with proper ear care.
Read guide
Bathing Guide
How often to bathe and which products to use.
Read guide
Grooming Cost
What professional grooming should cost for this breed.
Read guide
Hypoallergenic
Shedding, dander, and allergy-friendly coat care.
Read guide
First-Time Owner
Grooming basics for new owners of this breed.
Read guide
Skin & Allergies
Itchy skin, hot spots, and coat-sensitive care.
Read guide
Dental Care
Oral hygiene tied to coat and skin health.
Read guide
Flea & Tick
Parasite prevention without damaging the coat.
Read guide
Pro vs DIY
When to groom at home and when to hire a pro.
Read guide
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