Markiesje

Aliases Hollandse Tulphond, Dutch Tulip Hound Height up to 16 inches (41 cm) Weight up to 13 pounds (10 kg) Life Expectancy 15 years Origin The Netherlands Group(s) Companion Dogs, Toy Dogs Recognition FCI, DKC, APRI, DRA

Pronunciation

Mar-keesh Description

The Markiesje has a long, silky black coat, sometimes with white markings. The tail and legs are feathered. The ears are long and pendant.

Handsome, proportionate, and balanced. The coat of the Markiesje is black, sometimes with white markings, and is long and silky with feathering. Temperament

The Markiesje loves to be a retriever and gundog, but his size, intelligence and cute good looks earmark him as an ideal family pet. Happy and playful. This spaniel-type dog is active, elegant and friendly. Make sure you are this dog's firm, confident, consistent pack leader to avoid Small Dog Syndrome - human induced behavior problems. Always remember, dogs are canines, not humans. Be sure to meet their natural instincts as animals.

The Markiesje is a beautiful dog which is well proportioned. The coat of this breed will almost always be black, even though it may sometimes have white patches as well. The coat is also shiny and brilliant when it is cared for. The Markiesje is a Dutch breed which was recently developed. It is a breed that is mixed with both spaniel and poodle. It is commonly used on farms, and it has finally become accepted by the Dutch Kennel Club. The Markiesje is one of the newest breeds to be created in the Netherlands, and is not well known outside of this country.

This rare breed is difficult to find in the USA. It originated in Netherlands from Spaniels and Poodles. The breed standard is not strict: dogs should not exceed 16 inches at the shoulders and 13 pounds in weight. The coat should be long and silky, with only black color with minor white markings accepted. These animals are good retrievers, gun dogs, and family pets.

Health Problems: Generally healthy. No chronic health problems are known. There are no health problems which are specific to this breed. The health problems that they may suffer from are generally common to all dog breeds.

Living Conditions

This is an indoor dog. Their small paws and medium length hair do not afford much protection from the cold. However, an adult Markiesje should do fine with a brisk walk in -8 Fahrenheit (-20 Celsius) and colder.

Exercise

The Markiesje needs room to run and time to play in order to be mentally and physically fit. They need to be taken on a daily walk or jog. While out on the walk the dog must be made to heel beside or behind the person holding the lead, as in a dog's mind the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human.

Grooming

Comb and brush regularly with a firm, bristle brush. As with all dogs, teeth, nails, ears, should be attended to and checked for growths or dental problems. This breed sheds little hair. The hair is thin and easy to clean when bathing the dog. Markiesjes can develop dandruff. A quick bath with moisturizing shampoo using natural ingredients should clear that up quickly.

Origin

The Markiesje is a Dutch native breed who is also a new creation. It has a spaniel-poodle heritage. It has long been found on farms in The Netherlands and as a companion dog, but has only recently been accepted by the Dutch Kennel Club.

History

The Markiesje is from the Netherlands. It was cross-bred from spaniels and poodles, and can be found on farms throughout that country. The Dutch Kennel Club has only recenlty accepted the breed.

Maintenance

Brush the Markiesje on a regular basis with a firm bristle brush. Pay attention to the inner ears and remove excess hair. Brush teeth regularly as well.

Ideal Environment

The Markiesje is not suited for an apartment life, but rather needs room to run around and play.

Temperament

The Markiesje is a small breed which makes an excellent retriever. It can also function as a good gundog. However, these dogs are typically used as pets because of their impressive looks, intelligence, and miniature size. These dogs are joyful and love to play. It is also friendly and makes an excellent family dog. These dogs are also easy to train, and will quickly respond to commands given to them by their owners. These dogs are friendly towards everyone, though there is no current information available on how they behave with other dogs or pets. If they are socialized while they are puppies, they should not have a problem getting along with your other pets. The Markiesje is a calm and clever companion dog with a gentle expression. It may in no way be nervous, frightened or yappy, nor show any sign of aggression. They are cheerful, active, playful and friendly.

Exercise

While the Markiesje will live comfortably in an apartment or small home, they still need lots of exercise. They enjoy running, and will need to be mentally stimulated as well. Owners will want to take them on long walks, and they should be unleashed in a safe area to run around and exercise. Due to their small size, these dogs can run fast, and are quick and agile. A Markiesje that spends too much time inside may become unhealthy. Apartment owners will want to make sure this dog gets lots of exercise on a regular basis.

Special Grooming Needs

The coat of these dogs should be brushed or combed on a consistent basis. You will want to take them to the veterinarian often to make sure there are no growth problems, and there teeth and nails should be cared for as well.

History

The Markiesje is the youngest branch on the Dutch canine tree, but certainly not a "new" breed. It is the old Dutch "spioen" that was often portrayed in the 17 and 18th centuries. They kept their typical appearance through the ages, even though there is no record of any purposeful breeding.

General Appearance The Markiesje is a slender, finely built black toy spaniel-type dog; elegant and alert; with no appearance of dwarfism. The body is slightly longer than it is high and is fine-boned. The shiny coat and beautiful feathering accentuate its graceful appearance. Any form of exaggeration is undesired.

Important Proportions: The body if measured from point of shoulder to point of tailbone is slightly longer than the height at the withers. (ratio of 10 to 9).

The chest should be well developed and reach to the elbow. The depth of chest should then be equal to the distance from chest to ground.

The length of the muzzle is equal to the length of the skull measured from the stop to the occiput.

Character: The Markiesje is calm, intelligent and has a soft expression. It should never be nervous, timid or yippy, nor show any sign of aggression.

The size of the head is in proportionate balance with the body, with flowing lines. The skull is almost flat, slightly less wide than long, and with a distinct occiput. The stop is well-defined, but not abrupt. The lenght of the muzzle is a bit shorter than the skull, measured from the stop to the occiput. The nasal bridge is straight and runs parallel with the topline of the skull. The muzzle tapers slightly to the nose without being pointed. The nose is well developed, in harmony with the muzzle, and it is black and shiny. The lips are tightly fitting with black rims.

Teeth form a regular, complete, and straight scissors bite.

Cheekbones are well filled.

Eyes are almond shaped, fairly large but not bulging, dark brown or black, and clear with a soft, gentle expression. The eyelids are also black and close-fitting.

Ears are high set, hanging along the head and not extending above the head. They are of medium size, slightly triangular and have rounded tips. They are well feathered. When alert, the tip of the ear touches the cheek.

Neck is strong and smooth, and its length is in balance with the body.

Body: The length is slightly longer than the height at the withers. The chest is well developed with well sprung ribs, not barrel-shaped. The chest reaches the elbows in depth and has the same depth as the distance between the elbows and the ground. The topline is straight, strong, and relatively short, flowing from the shoulder to the tail. The loins are strong and slightly arched, of a good length and width, and with well developed muscles. Underline and belly is deep enough and slightly tucked up to the loins. The croup is slightly sloping of good width, the length of the croup is 1.5 X the width.

The tail vertebrae itself, not the feathering, reaches to the hock. It is set so as to form one flowing line with the back. The tail is carried gaily but never too much above the line of the back. In rest it hangs in a slight curve. Curled tails, tails carried over the back and kinked tails are considered objectionable.

Forequarters: Seen from the front the dog should be straight; from the side shows slightly angled strong pasterns. The front legs are straight, fine-boned and sufficiently long and strong. The shoulder and upper leg are equal in length and moderately angulated. The shoulder is sufficiently sloping and lies flat against the chest. Elbows are close to the body. Pasterns strong, without any sign of weakness, and slightly turned forward.

The feet are quite long, oval shaped and compact, with strong pads. Strong pasterns. The nails are preferably black.

Hindquarters: Seen from the rear, the legs should be straight, from the side they should show good muscles and angulation, in harmony with the angulation in the forequarters. The thigh and lower leg are equal in length. Knees are well angulated, hock is well set and planted low.

Gait: Easy powerful movement, with good reach and driving action. Legs move parallel and straight, with growing speed inclined to single tracking. The gait is springy and smooth with good reach and good drive. When seen from both the front and back view the legs move straight and parallel, with growing speed inclined to single tracking.

Skin and Coat: Skin should not be loose.

Coat is fine, soft, silky, and medium length. It is straight or slightly wavy. No undercoat. The ears, tail and breeches are well feathered. The feathering on the back legs reaches the hocks. The hair on the feet is short.

Color: The color is shiny solid black or black with white markings. The white may be a blaze, but not onto the cheeks, or a white chest, collar, stomach, paws or tip of tail. White may not be more than 40% of the colouring. Ticking within the white is allowed.

Height: The ideal height is 37 cm. for dogs and 35 cm. for bitches. A margin of 2 cm. above and 3 cm. below is allowed.

Minor faults:
 * too small or too highly set ears or open ears
 * curled tail
 * deviation from the allowed size
 * too short a tail (up to 5 cm difference when measured to the hock)
 * white markings on the back
 * level bite

Severe faults:
 * shy or nervous temperament
 * too short or signs of dwarfism
 * overshot or undershot bite
 * erect ears

Disqualifications:
 * aggressive or extremely fearful temperament
 * bodily deviations
 * any color other than black or black with white
 * kinked tail
 * too short a tail (more than 5 cm. too short)
 * no tail