Schapendoes

The Schapendoes is a medium-sized herding breed from the Netherlands, built to move sheep across open heathland rather than to overpower them. It relies on stamina and sharp changes of direction, and it covers ground with a light, springy gait.

Its most obvious feature is the long, slightly wavy coat that falls forward over the eyes, giving the face a soft, shaggy look. Under all that hair sits a lean, athletic dog of moderate bone. Adults typically stand 40 to 50 cm at the shoulder and weigh around 12 to 25 kg.

In temperament the Schapendoes is friendly, good-natured, and sharp. It attaches closely to its family and stays busy and upbeat. Because Australian summers run hot and dry in most regions, owners need to plan exercise around the cooler parts of the day and manage that heavy coat carefully so the dog does not overheat. The breed enjoys problem-solving and physical work, which suits dog sports such as agility and obedience.

Who it suits

The Schapendoes fits a household that is home most days and can put in an hour or more of activity daily. It suits people after a partner for walks, hikes, and dog sports rather than a low-key companion. The coat needs a regular brushing routine, so owners should be ready to put in the time. Because the breed is so people-focused, it does not do well left alone for long stretches, whether that is a full day at work or a weekend away.

The Schapendoes developed in the Netherlands as a working sheepdog on the heathlands and small farms. For generations shepherds kept it for its herding ability rather than its looks, so type varied a fair bit from one region to the next. The name translates roughly as sheep dog in Dutch, which sums up its everyday job of moving and minding flocks.

The breed sits within a wider group of long-haired European herding dogs that also includes the Bearded Collie, the Puli, and the Bergamasco. These dogs share a shaggy coat suited to wet, cold conditions and a build made for agility over rough ground. For most of its history the Schapendoes was not formally recorded, since it was a regional farm dog handed down among working shepherds rather than a show breed.

Dutch cynologist Pieter van der Sande took an interest in the breed during the 1940s and worked to save it. Numbers had dropped sharply through the Second World War, when many dogs were lost and organised breeding all but stopped. A small surviving group became the basis of a recovery program.

The Dutch breed club formed in 1947, and a breed standard followed soon after. The Schapendoes gained recognition from the Raad van Beheer, the Dutch kennel authority, and later from the Federation Cynologique Internationale. In Australia the breed is registered through Dogs Australia, though numbers here remain small and imports or descendants of Dutch lines are the main source of puppies. It is still most common in the Netherlands and continues to work as both a companion and a sport dog.

The Schapendoes is slightly longer than it is tall, with a lean frame and moderate bone. The overall impression is of a light, agile dog rather than a solid one. The head carries plenty of hair, forming a topknot, moustache, and beard, and the long coat falls forward over the eyes. The tail is long and well covered with hair, carried low at rest and lifted in motion.

Coat and colours

The coat is the defining feature. It is long, dry to the touch, and slightly wavy, with a thick undercoat that gives real weather protection. Hair can reach 7 cm or more on the body and forms the trademark facial furnishings. The texture should be functional rather than silky, and a slight curl is fine.

All coat colours are allowed under the standard, though shades from blue-grey through to black turn up most often. Some dogs carry white markings. In Australian conditions the double coat needs steady upkeep, both to stop it matting behind the ears, under the legs, and around the rear, and to stop it trapping heat over summer.

The Schapendoes is an affectionate, lively dog that wants to be part of family life. It forms close bonds with its people and tends to trail them from room to room. The breed is good-natured with kids and usually gets on with other dogs when raised and socialised well.

With strangers the Schapendoes is alert and may bark to flag a visitor, but it is no guard dog and warms up fast once introduced. Its herding background shows in a watchful, busy nature that reacts quickly to movement, which can tip into chasing or circling if it does not get an outlet.

This is a sharp breed that thinks for itself. It picks things up fast but can be independent, so it does best with owners who keep training varied and interesting. Boredom and too little exercise can lead to barking, restlessness, and chewing. Given enough activity and company, the Schapendoes is a cheerful, settled companion.

Grooming

• Brush the coat thoroughly two to three times a week to stop mats forming in the wavy hair.
• Pay extra attention to behind the ears, under the legs, around the collar, and at the rear, where tangles start first.
• Bathe only when needed, then dry and brush the coat out fully so it does not mat while drying.
• Trim hair around the eyes and check the ears often for debris and moisture, especially after a swim or a run through long grass.
• Keep nails short and check the paws after activity on rough ground, including bindis and hot bitumen in summer.

Exercise

• Aim for at least 60 minutes of activity a day, split across walks and free running.
• Add mental work such as training games, scent work, or puzzle feeders.
• The breed excels at agility, flyball, and obedience, which put its energy to good use.
• Schedule exercise for early morning or evening during hot weather, and give safe off-lead time in a secure area so it can move at speed.

Environment

The Schapendoes adapts to a house with a yard or an active apartment household, provided it gets daily exercise and is not left alone for long periods. It handles cool, wet weather well thanks to its double coat, but Australian heat is a real risk: provide shade, fresh water, and a cool spot indoors during summer, and never leave the dog in a parked car. Because it is so people-focused, it settles best where it can spend time with the family rather than out in the yard alone.

The Schapendoes does well on a complete and balanced diet formulated for active medium breeds. As a working-type dog its calorie needs rise with exercise and drop during quieter periods, so portions should be adjusted to keep the dog lean. Ribs should be easy to feel but not visible. Fresh water should always be on hand, particularly in hot weather when dogs drink more.

Treats and supplements

Keep treats to no more than about 10 percent of daily calories and factor them into meal portions. Use small, low-fat rewards during training. A healthy dog on a complete diet usually needs no extra supplements, but a vet may suggest omega-3 fatty acids or joint support for older or heavily worked dogs. Bring in any diet change gradually over about a week to avoid an upset tummy.

The Schapendoes is a hardy breed with relatively few inherited problems compared with many pedigree dogs. With good care most live 12 to 15 years. The breed relies on a small but actively managed gene pool, and responsible breeders screen for the conditions known to occur. Buying from health-tested parents is the single best way to cut the risk.

Preventive care

• Keep core and recommended vaccinations up to date.
• Maintain a year-round parasite plan for fleas, ticks, and worms, including paralysis ticks in tick-prone regions.
• Book annual vet check-ups, moving to twice yearly for seniors.
• Brush the teeth regularly and offer dental chews.
• Keep the dog at a lean weight to protect the joints.

The Schapendoes learns fast and likes having a job, which makes training rewarding. It can also be independent and easily bored, so repetitive drilling tends to backfire. Keep sessions short, varied, and upbeat, and stop while the dog is still keen. The breed responds well to activities that mix thinking with movement, such as agility and trick training. Early, broad socialisation with people, other animals, and everyday situations helps this naturally alert dog stay confident and settled.

Basics

1. Start name recognition and a reliable recall in a quiet space from a young age.
2. Teach sit, drop, and stay with food or toy rewards in short bursts.
3. Build loose-lead walking before the dog has the strength to pull hard.
4. Practise calm settling and time alone to prevent over-attachment.
5. Add a release cue and an interrupt cue to manage the herding instinct to chase.

Responsible breeding of the Schapendoes focuses on temperament, working ability, and health, with care taken over the breed's limited gene pool. Both parents should have hip scores and an eye test before mating, and breeders typically wait until a dog is physically and mentally mature, around two years old. Bitches are mated within a sound, planned program rather than at their first season.

Gestation runs about 63 days. Litters commonly hold four to six puppies, though numbers vary. The dam raises the litter actively in the first weeks, and gentle human handling should start early to build well-socialised puppies. Pups are usually weaned by seven to eight weeks and should not leave the breeder before that age, with many staying a little longer. Early exposure to household sights, sounds, and gentle handling lays the foundation for the breed's friendly adult character. Prospective owners should expect a wait, since litters in Australia are not common and buyers may need to go on a breeder's list.

How to register a Schapendoes in Australia

Every state and territory keeps its own Companion Animal Register, and council rangers scan as a matter of course, so a Schapendoes with a current record is home before dinner. Register your dog free with United Pet Club: the profile carries your details beside his photo for his whole life, and no renewal ever turns up.

A chipped Schapendoes without a registration is carrying a number nobody can use. File it with United Pet Club and the number works for him: free for life, open to every chip brand sold here, searchable from any clinic or pound in the country. Microchip registration now, free account while you're at it.