Herding dog Medium size 12-20 kg

Dutch Sheepdog

A bright, shaggy herder for an active owner who enjoys grooming and training, but the dense coat and drive make it a poor fit for a quiet home.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Medium
Size
12-20 kg, 40-50 cm
High
Activity
High; needs real daily exercise and a job
Low
Alone-time tolerance
Prefers company; struggles with long days alone
Easy
Trainability
Eager and quick to learn
High
Coat care
Frequent brushing; coat needs real upkeep
Very good
Fit with kids
Good family dog with children
Very good
Other pets
Generally good with other dogs and pets
Light
Health burden
Dental Disease, Hip Dysplasia

The Dutch Sheepdog typically weighs 12-20 kg, stands 40-50 cm, and lives 12-15 years.

Consider this breed if…

you want a clever, cheerful herder a notch softer than a Border Collie,
you enjoy training and dog sports - agility suits this breed well,
coat care is a hobby for you, not a chore,
someone is home much of the day or the dog joins your activities.

Do not consider this breed if…

long workdays with the dog home alone are the norm,
you want a wash-and-go coat - this one mats without routine work,
a barky, watchful herder would clash with close neighbors,
your idea of exercise is a slow lap around the block.

A typical day with a Dutch Sheepdog

  1. 6:45 · Morning
    Energetic walk with off-leash running
  2. 9:00 · Midmorning
    Shadows its person; light chew or puzzle
  3. 12:30 · Noon
    Trick training or a short brushing session
  4. 16:00 · Afternoon
    Agility practice, fetch or a long hike
  5. 19:00 · Evening
    Playful family time; announces every visitor
  6. 22:00 · Night
    Settles once the household does

Temperament and training

Trainability High
Cheerfulness Very high
Attachment to people Very high
Herding instinct High
Watchfulness High
Independence Low
Common owner mistakes
Brushing only the top coat and letting hidden mats build near the skin · Leaving a people-glued herder alone all day and getting barking or destruction · Skipping mental work because the walks seemed long enough

Family and environment

Kids Very good
Playful and gentle; may try to herd running toddlers.
Dogs Very good
Sociable and easy in dog company.
Cats Good
Usually fine, especially raised together.
Apartment Conditional
Possible with lots of activity; alert barking is the catch.
House with a yard Suitable
Best setup - but the yard is a bonus, not the job.
City Manages
Adaptable if exercised; bustle can wind it up.
Countryside Ideal
Space, work and weather this coat was made for.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Light

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Dental Disease Very common; routine brushing and cleanings help
Hip Dysplasia Joint malformation; screen breeding stock
Progressive Retinal Atrophy Inherited retinal disease; DNA test available
Epilepsy Seizure disorder usually managed with medication

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

Very similar shaggy herder, a bit more stubborn
Polish Lowland Sheepdog
A smart, watchful herder that bonds hard and learns fast - its thick shaggy coat and need for a job are the main trade-offs.
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Bigger long-coated herder with the same bounce
Bearded Collie
A bouncy, cheerful herding dog that adores its family, but the shaggy double coat is a major, non-negotiable grooming commitment.
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For homes wanting more drive and less coat
Border Collie
An exceptionally quick-learning working dog that needs daily physical and mental work - without it, it invents a "job" of its own.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Dutch Sheepdog (Schapendoes) cost?
Expect roughly $1,200-$2,500 from the small number of breeders working with this Dutch rarity, and plan for a waitlist - US litters are infrequent and some buyers import from Europe, adding $1,000+ in transport. Over 12-15 years, food, grooming supplies and routine vet care typically add $15,000-$25,000 or more.
How much grooming does a Schapendoes really need?
Plan on a thorough brush-through once or twice a week, working in layers down to the skin - the long, slightly wavy double coat mats at the roots while the surface still looks fine. The breed is shown natural and should not be clipped. If weekly coat sessions sound tedious, pick a different herder.
Is a Schapendoes a good family dog?
Yes, one of the friendlier herding breeds - cheerful, affectionate and patient with kids, without the intensity of a Border Collie. It still herds: expect circling and the occasional attempt to organize running children, and give it daily exercise and brain work to keep the house version pleasant.
Can a Schapendoes live in an apartment?
Conditionally. Size-wise it fits, and a well-exercised Schapendoes is calm indoors - but this is a watchful farm breed that announces sounds and visitors, and it needs a genuine hour-plus of activity daily. Ground-floor living, good soundproofing or tolerant neighbors help.