The Schapendoes, also known as the Dutch Sheepdog or Nederlandse Schapendoes, is a medium-sized herding breed from the Netherlands. For centuries this shaggy farm dog worked the open heathlands, moving sheep with tireless enthusiasm, remarkable jumping power and an eye for the flock. Lightly built and fine-boned, it is built for speed, agility and endurance rather than heavy strength, and its profuse, weatherproof coat made it well suited to long days on the moor.
Friendly, intelligent and always upbeat, the Schapendoes is a companion with a genuinely jolly outlook on life. It combines the herding dog's independence and watchfulness with a warm, affectionate nature that makes it an excellent family dog for active households. Although deeply rooted in the Netherlands and still rare elsewhere, the breed has a devoted following among owners who appreciate its playful spirit, its astonishing agility and its loyalty to home and family.
Bringing a Schapendoes home means welcoming a high-energy thinker with a clownish streak. This is not a couch companion: it thrives on work, play and mental challenges, and rewards owners who keep pace with a devoted, entertaining and endlessly affectionate friend. For the right household, there is no better definition of a willing partner on four legs.
A Working Heritage from the Dutch Heathlands
The Schapendoes is an ancient Dutch herding breed, with records suggesting ancestors of these shaggy dogs worked alongside shepherds as far back as the 1870s. They were bred to gather and move sheep across the flat heathlands of the Netherlands, and their springy legs and remarkable jumping ability were honed for leaping streams and fences while steering stubborn flocks. They are close relatives of several long-haired European herding breeds, including the Bearded Collie, the Old English Sheepdog, the Puli and the Bergamasco.
The breed's fortunes fell in the early 20th century when Dutch farmers increasingly turned to imported English Border Collies, and the Schapendoes declined sharply. After the Second World War, when the breed faced near extinction, the Dutch publicist P. M. C. Toepoel rallied enthusiasts to seek out surviving dogs and rebuild the breed. A breed club was founded in 1947, a standard was established in 1954, and the Schapendoes was preserved for future generations. Today it remains treasured in its homeland and rare but growing in popularity abroad.
Appearance: Built to Spring Across the Fields
The Schapendoes is a medium-sized, square-proportioned dog with a lightweight frame and elastic, well-muscled movement. Fine bones and a slightly longer body give it an athletic silhouette that belies the bulk its coat suggests. Its head looks larger than it is, thanks to abundant hair, and carries a full moustache and beard framing a short muzzle, a clearly defined stop, and round, deeply set, dark brown button eyes. Medium-sized ears hang freely, and a long, feathered tail is carried low with a gentle curve.
The breed's hallmark is its profuse double coat, which is at least 7 cm long, thick, lightly waved and wiry to the touch. It forms a dense protective layer that withstands cold and wet weather while never feeling silky. The topknot on the head is soft and prominent. All colours are permitted, with a preference for uniform blue-grey to black; beige, brown, white, grey, black and white, chocolate and white and tricolour coats are all common. The overall impression is of a shaggy, springy dog built for speed, grace and stamina.
A Jolly and Watchful Temperament
The Schapendoes is a genuinely cheerful breed, described by owners as jolly, high-spirited and endlessly entertaining. It forms a close bond with its family, is affectionate with people of all ages, and is especially devoted to children, whom it happily includes in its games. Beneath the playful exterior lies a capable working dog: watchful, alert and courageous, it makes a good watchdog and will raise a bark to announce visitors or anything unusual near the home.
This is also an independent-thinking herder. The Schapendoes can be both biddable and stubborn, and it will make its own decisions if given the chance. It is sensitive to the tone of the household, however, and responds well to kind, consistent leadership. Provided its energy is channelled constructively and it has plenty of company and activity, the Schapendoes is a calm, devoted and good-natured companion that rarely shows aggression and gets along well with other dogs and pets.
Exercise and Activity
The Schapendoes has high energy and stamina to spare, and needs around an hour of vigorous exercise every day to stay happy and well balanced. Brisk walks are only part of the picture: this breed loves to run, leap and play, and thrives on off-lead exercise in safe, enclosed spaces where it can gallop and spring to its heart's content. Its heritage as a working herder means a tired Schapendoes is a contented one, while an under-exercised dog is prone to boredom, barking and inventive mischief.
| Dog | Daily exercise | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy | 3–4 short play sessions of 10–15 minutes | Keep walks gentle; avoid hard surfaces while growing |
| Adult | 45–60 minutes total walk or play | Split into two shorter sessions if preferred |
| Senior | 30–40 minutes of gentle walking | Slow the pace and shorten distance with age |
Mental stimulation matters as much as physical activity. Agility, flyball, herding trials, nose work and trick training all tap into the breed's intelligence and agility, and its celebrated jumping ability makes it a natural at obstacle courses. Puzzle toys, games of fetch and regular changes of route keep its active mind engaged. Owners who enjoy being outdoors and sharing adventures with their dog will find the Schapendoes an ideal partner. The Daily Exercise Guide offers ideas for keeping active breeds satisfied.
Training a Schapendoes
The Schapendoes is intelligent and quick to learn, and it responds best to positive, reward-based training methods built on praise, treats and play. Harsh correction is counterproductive with this sensitive, independent breed and can damage the trust it needs to work well. Early socialisation is essential, so expose your puppy to a variety of people, places, sounds and other animals from a young age to build a confident, well-mannered adult.
Be prepared for occasional stubbornness. This herding dog was bred to think for itself, and it may question commands it sees no point in, so keep training sessions short, fun and consistent, and vary the routine to hold its attention. The breed excels at obedience, agility and herding, where its natural talents shine. A firm but kind owner who makes training feel like a game will be rewarded with a keen, attentive partner. The Dog Training Guide and Puppy Care Guide cover the essentials for raising a well-adjusted puppy.
Grooming a Schapendoes
The Schapendoes wears a long, thick double coat that demands regular attention to stay clean and tangle-free. Plan for a thorough brushing and combing session two to three times a week, working right down to the skin to prevent mats and remove debris, with daily attention during heavier shedding periods. Despite its volume, the coat sheds only lightly and has little doggy odour, so baths are needed only when the dog is genuinely dirty.
| Task | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brushing | 3–4 times a week | Brush in the direction of the coat and check for tangles |
| Bathing | Every 6–8 weeks or as needed | Use a mild dog shampoo |
| Nail trimming | Every 3–4 weeks | Trim when you hear nails clicking on the floor |
| Ear checks | Weekly | Look for wax, redness, or odor |
| Teeth brushing | 2–3 times a week | Dental chews help as a supplement |
| Professional trim or clip | Every 6–8 weeks | Keeps the coat tidy and hygienic |
The breed should look natural and shaggy: it does not require clipping or trimming, and many owners leave the coat entirely to hand. Pay particular care to the beard, moustache and the area behind the ears, where food and moisture can cause tangles and odour. As with all dogs, check the ears weekly, trim nails regularly and brush the teeth to keep gums healthy. With consistent care, the coat stays handsome and protects your dog in all weather. The Dog Grooming Guide covers caring for this coat.
Feeding a Schapendoes
A medium-sized, high-energy working breed, the Schapendoes does best on a complete, high-quality dog food rich in animal protein to support its lean muscle and active lifestyle. Feed a balanced formula appropriate for the dog's age, weight and activity level, and split the daily ration into two meals rather than one large bowl. Treats should make up no more than around ten percent of daily calories and are best used as training rewards.
| Life stage | Meals per day | Portion per meal (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (under 6 months) | 3–4 meals | 1/2–1 cup | Use a good-quality puppy formula |
| Adult | 2 meals | 1–1.5 cups | Adjust to activity level and body condition |
| Senior (7+ years) | 2 meals | 1–1.25 cups | Consider a senior or joint-support formula |
Portion control matters: although active, the Schapendoes can gain weight if overfed, and excess weight places unnecessary strain on its fine-boned frame. Adjust food amounts to match exercise levels, monitor body condition regularly and always provide fresh, clean water. Puppies need a growth formula fed in several smaller meals, and senior dogs may benefit from a lighter senior diet as their activity slows. If in doubt about quantities, your vet can help tailor a feeding plan to your individual dog.
Health and Veterinary Care
The Schapendoes is a robust, hearty breed with a low incidence of major hereditary conditions, and responsible breeders screen their breeding stock to help keep it that way. A healthy Schapendoes can expect a lifespan of 12 to 15 years. As with many dogs, hip and eye conditions occasionally appear, so ask your breeder for the results of relevant screening tests before buying a puppy, and keep up with routine veterinary check-ups throughout life.
| Check-up | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wellness exam | Annual | Includes dental and weight check |
| Vaccinations | Annual booster | Follow your veterinarian's schedule |
| Heartworm prevention | Monthly (or as advised) | Year-round in most regions |
| Dental check | Annual cleaning as recommended | Watch for tartar buildup |
| Eye and ear health checks | Discuss with your vet | Part of the annual vet review |
| Senior wellness checks | Start from age 7 | Early detection of age-related conditions |
Preventive care is straightforward: maintain a vaccination schedule, treat for fleas, ticks and worms as recommended, and support dental health with regular brushing or veterinary chews. Keep your dog at a healthy weight and provide consistent exercise and mental enrichment. Watch for any changes in appetite, energy, coat condition or mobility, and seek veterinary advice promptly if concerns arise. Signs of a Healthy Pet explains what to look for in a thriving dog.
Home Environment
The Schapendoes fits best into an active household with the time and space to meet its considerable exercise and companionship needs. A secure garden or safe area for off-lead play is a great asset, but the breed can adapt to smaller homes or apartments provided it receives ample daily exercise and attention. This is a people-loving dog that dislikes long periods alone, so it suits families, active singles and those who can involve it in daily life.
Because it is intelligent, playful and occasionally mischievous, the Schapendoes benefits from consistent routines, mental enrichment and a firm but gentle hand. First-time owners can succeed with the breed if they are willing to invest in training and exercise, while experienced owners of herding dogs will find its quirks familiar and rewarding. Choose this breed if you want a devoted, energetic partner; pass it by if you prefer a sedentary or frequently absent lifestyle. Choosing the Right Pet helps you weigh the decision.
Common Ownership Challenges
The Schapendoes is not a dog for a quiet, low-activity household. Its herding instincts mean it may try to round up children, other pets or even moving vehicles, so supervision and training are needed, and it may bark to alert or out of boredom when under-exercised. Its independent mind can make it seem stubborn, and consistent, patient training is essential to channel that cleverness constructively.
The coat demands regular grooming time, and the breed is genuinely rare outside the Netherlands, so finding a responsibly bred puppy may take patience and a waitlist. Under-stimulated Schapendoes can become inventive escape artists or chewers, so secure fencing and plenty of entertainment are important. Owners who embrace these challenges are rewarded with a loyal, athletic companion like no other.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Cheerful, affectionate and devoted to the whole family
- Intelligent and capable, excelling at agility, herding and obedience
- Low hereditary health issues and a long 12–15 year lifespan
- Light shedder with little doggy odour despite a heavy coat
- Alert watchdog that is friendly with people and other pets
Disadvantages
- High exercise and mental stimulation demands each day
- Strong herding instincts, including a tendency to bark
- Independent streak that requires patient, consistent training
- Long shaggy coat needs regular brushing to prevent matting
- Rare breed, so puppies can be hard to find and costly
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Schapendoes? The Schapendoes, also called the Dutch Sheepdog or Nederlandse Schapendoes, is a medium-sized herding breed from the Netherlands known for its shaggy double coat, springy movement and cheerful temperament.
How big do Schapendoes get? Males stand about 17–20 in (43–50 cm) and females about 16–18.5 in (40–47 cm) at the shoulder, with a typical weight range of 26–55 lb (12–25 kg).
How long do Schapendoes live? The Schapendoes is a hardy breed with a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years when well cared for.
Are Schapendoes good family dogs? Yes. They are affectionate, playful and devoted to children, and they thrive in active households that can meet their exercise needs.
Are Schapendoes good with children? Yes, they generally love children and happily join in games, though supervision and early socialisation are recommended given their herding instincts.
Do Schapendoes shed much? The coat sheds only lightly overall, but it is long and thick and needs regular brushing and combing to prevent mats and tangles.
How much exercise does a Schapendoes need? Around an hour of vigorous exercise daily, plus mental stimulation such as agility, herding, fetch or puzzle games, is ideal for this high-energy breed.
Are Schapendoes easy to train? They are intelligent and respond well to positive, reward-based training, but their independent streak calls for patient, consistent handling.
Do Schapendoes bark a lot? They are alert and can be vocal, especially when bored or under-exercised, so regular activity and company help keep excessive barking in check.
Are Schapendoes rare? Yes, the breed is uncommon outside the Netherlands, so prospective owners often join breeder waitlists to find a responsibly bred puppy.