Fur
The coat can withstand moisture well and holds little dirt. Maintenance is easy; regular brushing with a good quality hairbrush keeps the coat in excellent condition and the house fairly hair-free.
Feeding
Frugal food of good quality ensures a lean muscular dog that likes to be active. Depending on gender and size, a Kooikerhondje should not weigh more than 9-11 kg.
Exercise
A Kooikerhondje is a working dog. That means he needs a lot of exercise. A dog that is at home all the time and never goes anywhere other than the (large) garden, will develop huge physical and mental deficiencies. He doesn’t get the opportunity to use his muscles to the fullest, to take initiatives or to make proper use of his ability to smell.
A Kooikerhondje lives on average 10 to 14 years. During that period, the owner is responsible for the well-being of the dog.
Playing and learning
The owner must exploit the dog’s intelligence, his perceptiveness, his eagerness to work and the strong bond with his owner, by spending a lot of time with the dog.
Teach the dog some tricks, play seek and retrieve games in the garden or during a walk. Games stimulate the curiosity of the dog and its learning ability and moreover, confirm the bond between owner and dog.