Last Updated: Nov 22, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Are Keeshonds Aggressive Towards Strangers?
- Are Keeshonds Aggressive Towards their Owners?
- Are Keeshonds Aggressive Towards other Dogs?
- Are Keeshonds Afraid of Strangers?
- Are Keeshonds Afraid of Other Dogs?
- Do Keeshonds Have Non-Social Fears?
- Do Keeshonds Get Along Well With Other Dogs?
- Are Keeshonds Easy to Train?
- Do Keeshonds Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?
- Do Keeshonds Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?
- Do Keeshonds have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?
- Are Keeshonds Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?
- Are Keeshonds Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?
- Are Keeshonds Playful? What is the Energy Level of Keeshonds
- Conclusion on Keeshond Temperament
Introduction to the Temperament of the Keeshond
The are many descriptions of the temperament of the Keeshond out there. However, most of these descriptions are difficult to verify or prove. They are based on mere speculations.
In this article, we will provide a factual description of the temperament of the Keeshond based on solid scientific research. This will give you a better understanding of what you can expect from the Keeshond breed.
We obtained our description of the temperament of Keeshond by analyzing raw scientific data from The Canine Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) database.
The C-BARQ dog temperament standard was developed by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania. It is considered the gold standard for measuring the behavior of dogs.
Over the years, the C-BARQ study has collected data on the temperament of thousands of dogs of different breeds including the Keeshond.
The C-BARQ study obtains its data by asking dog owners to score the behavior of their dogs on different behavior patterns.
The idea behind the C-BARQ study is that if it collects thousands of scores from thousands of dog owners on different aspects of dog behavior, a clear pattern will emerge on the temperament of different dog breeds.
The C-BARQ questionnaire measures 14 behavior aspects of dogs:
- Aggression towards stranger
- Aggression towards its owner
- Aggression towards other dogs
- How well they get along with other dogs
- Fear of strangers
- Fear of new things (new objects, unfamiliar loud sounds, etc)
- Fear of other dogs
- Separation anxiety
- Clinginess
- Trainability/ Stubbornness
- Prey drive
- Excitability
- Touch sensitivity
- Energy level
In this article, we will discuss the score of the Keeshond for each of these 14 characteristics. This will let you know the real temperament of the Keeshond.
The summary table below shows the score of the Keeshond for the different behavioral characteristics.
High percentage scores close to 100 are bad. Low percentage scores close to 0 are good.
| Behavior | Score |
|---|---|
| Stranger Directed Fear | 7.7 percent |
| Excitability | 52.4 percent |
| Stubbornness | 40.9 percent |
| Attachment Attention Seeking | 39.7 percent |
| Energy Level | 37.4 percent |
| Touch Sensitivity | 35.6 percent |
| Dog Directed Fear | 31.4 percent |
| Separation Related Behavior | 23.7 percent |
| Nonsocial Fear | 22.3 percent |
| Dog Rivalry | 20.1 percent |
| Prey Drive | 18.5 percent |
| Dog Directed Aggression | 13.2 percent |
| Owner Directed Aggression | 10.9 percent |
| Stranger Directed Aggression | 10.7 percent |
Note that with proper training, you can better your Keeshond`s temperament. To learn how to properly train your Keeshond, I highly recommend that you go through Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.
I learned most of the things that I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.
Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Keeshond.
See also our complete ranking of dog breeds from the `best` to the `worst` based on temperament.
Are Keeshonds Aggressive Towards Strangers?
Dog breeds that are aggressive to strangers show hostile responses to strangers approaching or invading the dog`s or the dog owner`s personal space, territory, or home range.
Stranger-aggressive dog breeds are quick to show aggression to unfamiliar people.
Typical signs of moderate aggression in dogs include barking, growling, and baring of teeth. More serious display of aggression generally includes snapping, lunging, biting, or attempting to bite.
Keeshonds are not aggressive towards strangers.
This is because the Keeshond ranks very low for aggression towards strangers.
The Keeshond ranks number 119 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards strangers.
This information is based on what 19 Keeshond owners reported on the temperament of their Keeshond in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Keeshond has a stranger-directed-aggression score of 10.7 %.
Other dog breeds that are not aggressive towards strangers just like the Keeshond are listed in the table below
| Stranger-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Stranger-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 116 | Dingo | 11.0 % |
| 117 | Whippet | 10.9 % |
| 118 | Alaskan Malamute | 10.9 % |
| 119 | Keeshond | 10.7 % |
| 120 | Black and Tan Coonhound | 9.6 % |
| 121 | Samoyed | 6.9 % |
| 122 | Irish Wolfhound | 6.6 % |
The dog breeds that are most aggressive towards strangers are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards strangers are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Keeshonds Aggressive Towards their Owners?
Due to human effort over the course of many centuries, the dog has become a very domestic animal. Dogs have learned to live well with humans. As a result, dogs respect and love their owners. Nevertheless, some dog breeds are less respectful to their owners than some other dog breeds.
Owner-aggressive dog breeds show threatening or hostile responses to their owner or other members of the household when challenged, manhandled, stared at, stepped over, or when approached while in possession of food, objects, or toys.
A dog that is owner-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite their owners.
Keeshonds are a little bit aggressive towards their owners.
This is because the Keeshond ranks low for aggression towards its owner.
The Keeshond ranks number 82 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards their owners.
This information is based on what 19 Keeshond owners reported on the temperament of their Keeshond in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Keeshond has an owner-directed-aggression score of 10.9 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit owner-aggressive just like the Keeshond are listed in the table below
| Owner-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Owner-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 79 | Havanese | 11.4 % |
| 80 | Golden Retriever | 11.2 % |
| 81 | Australian Kelpie | 11.0 % |
| 82 | Keeshond | 10.9 % |
| 83 | Labrador Retriever | 10.7 % |
| 84 | German Shepherd | 10.4 % |
| 85 | Giant Schnauzer | 10.3 % |
The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards their owners are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards their owners are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Keeshonds Aggressive Towards other Dogs?
Dogs that are aggressive towards other dogs will direct aggressive threats or actions toward unknown or unfamiliar dogs.
A dog-aggressive dog will threaten or show hostile responses when approached by unfamiliar dogs
A dog that is dog-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite other dogs.
Keeshonds are not aggressive towards other dogs.
This is because the Keeshond ranks very low for aggression towards other dogs.
The Keeshond ranks number 120 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards other dogs.
This information is based on what 19 Keeshond owners reported on the temperament of their Keeshond in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Keeshond has a dog-directed aggression score of 13.2 %.
Other dog breeds that are not dog-aggressive just like the Keeshond are listed in the table below
| Dog-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Dog-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 117 | Collie | 16.1 % |
| 118 | Bearded Collie | 15.2 % |
| 119 | Eurasier | 13.2 % |
| 120 | Keeshond | 13.2 % |
| 121 | Irish Wolfhound | 10.3 % |
| 122 | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 9.3 % |
| 123 | Black and Tan Coonhound | 6.3 % |
The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards other dogs are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Keeshonds Afraid of Strangers?
Some dogs breeds tend to be fearful of strangers.
Dogs that are fearful of strangers will avoid strangers. These dogs will crouch, cringe, or tremble when approached by strangers.
Extreme fear in dogs is characterized by serious attempts to escape or hide from the feared stranger.
Keeshonds are not fearful of strangers.
This is because the Keeshond ranks very low for fear of strangers.
The Keeshond ranks number 116 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of strangers.
This information is based on what 19 Keeshond owners reported on the temperament of their Keeshond in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Keeshond has a stranger-directed-fear score of 7.7 %.
Other dog breeds that are not stranger-fearful just like the Keeshond are listed in the table below
| Stranger-Directed-Fear Rank | Breed | Stranger-Directed-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 113 | Airedale Terrier | 9.1 % |
| 114 | Golden Retriever | 8.8 % |
| 115 | Portuguese Water Dog | 8.2 % |
| 116 | Keeshond | 7.7 % |
| 117 | Scottish Terrier | 7.7 % |
| 118 | French Bulldog | 7.7 % |
| 119 | Newfoundland | 6.6 % |
The dog breeds that show the most fear of strangers are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of strangers are the:
Are Keeshonds Afraid of Other Dogs?
Some dogs breeds tend to show fear when an unfamiliar dog approaches them.
A dog that is fearful of other dogs will try to avoid meeting other dogs.
Keeshonds are a little bit fearful of other dogs.
This is because the Keeshond ranks low for fear of other dogs.
The Keeshond ranks number 75 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of other dogs.
This information is based on what 19 Keeshond owners reported on the temperament of their Keeshond in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Keeshond has a dog-directed-fear score of 31.4 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit other-dog-fearful just like the Keeshond are listed in the table below
| Dog-Directed-Fear Rank | Breed | Dog-Directed-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 72 | Poodle (Standard) | 32.0 % |
| 73 | Norwegian Elkhound | 31.8 % |
| 74 | Chinese Shar-Pei | 31.6 % |
| 75 | Keeshond | 31.4 % |
| 76 | Chesapeake Bay Retriever | 30.4 % |
| 77 | Brittany | 29.9 % |
| 78 | Golden Retriever | 29.4 % |
The dog breeds that are most fearful of other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of other dogs are the:
Do Keeshonds Have Non-Social Fears?
Dogs that are fearful of sudden or loud noises, traffic, and unfamiliar objects and situations are said to exhibit nonsocial fear.
Keeshonds are a little bit fearful of unfamiliar sounds, situations, and objects.
This is because the Keeshond ranks low for non-social fear.
The Keeshond ranks number 79 out of 124 dog breeds for being fearful of unfamiliar things and situations.
This information is based on what 19 Keeshond owners reported on the temperament of their Keeshond in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Keeshond has a nonsocial-fear score of 22.3 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit nonsocial-fearful just like the Keeshond are listed in the table below
| Nonsocial-Fear Rank | Breed | Nonsocial-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 76 | Papillon | 24.4 % |
| 77 | Pug | 24.1 % |
| 78 | Akita | 22.9 % |
| 79 | Keeshond | 22.3 % |
| 80 | German Shepherd | 22.3 % |
| 81 | Border Terrier | 21.6 % |
| 82 | Black and Tan Coonhound | 21.5 % |
The dog breeds that are most fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:
Do Keeshonds Get Along Well With Other Dogs?
Some dog breeds display high dog rivalry. These dog breeds will threaten or act hostile to other familiar dogs in the same household.
These dog breeds will compete with other dogs. Also, these dog breeds do not get along well with other dogs.
Keeshonds are not competitive when dealing with other dogs.
This is because the Keeshond ranks very low on dog rivalry.
The Keeshond ranks number 112 out of 124 dog breeds for displaying dog rivalry when dealing with familiar dogs.
This information is based on what 19 Keeshond owners reported on the temperament of their Keeshond in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Keeshond has a dog-rivalry score of 20.1 %.
Other dog breeds that are not competition-driven just like the Keeshond are listed in the table below
| Dog-Rivalry Rank | Breed | Dog-Rivalry Score |
|---|---|---|
| 109 | Eurasier | 21.6 % |
| 110 | Redbone Coonhound | 21.5 % |
| 111 | Great Dane | 21.3 % |
| 112 | Keeshond | 20.1 % |
| 113 | Pug | 19.2 % |
| 114 | Golden Retriever | 18.6 % |
| 115 | Kuvasz | 16.5 % |
The dog breeds that do not get along well with other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that get along well with other dogs are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how well they get along with other dog breeds.
Are Keeshonds Easy to Train?
Dogs have high trainability have the willingness to listen to their owner. These dogs are not stubborn. These dogs obey simple commands, and they learn very quickly.
Highly trainable dogs excel at fetching objects. They also respond positively to correction and ignore distraction.
Keeshonds are a little bit easy to train.
This is because the Keeshond ranks low for trainability.
The Keeshond ranks number 81 out of 124 dog breeds for easiness to train.
This information is based on what 19 Keeshond owners reported on the trainability of their Keeshond in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Keeshond has a trainability score of 59.1 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit easy to train just like the Keeshond are listed in the table below
| Trainability Rank | Breed | Trainability Score |
|---|---|---|
| 78 | Redbone Coonhound | 60.0 % |
| 79 | Cardigan Welsh Corgi | 59.8 % |
| 80 | Bullmastiff | 59.2 % |
| 81 | Keeshond | 59.1 % |
| 82 | Miniature Schnauzer | 58.6 % |
| 83 | Pomeranian | 58.6 % |
| 84 | Bulldog | 58.3 % |
The dog breeds that are most easy to train are the:
The dog breeds that are difficult to train are the:
Learn more about how intelligent the Keeshond is and how the intelligence of the Keeshond affects its trainability in this article on how smart the Keeshond is.
Do Keeshonds Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?
Dog breeds that have high chase-drive will run after (chase) cats, birds, and/or other small animals, given the opportunity.
Keeshonds are not into chasing after other smaller pets like cats, squirrels, chickens, and birds.
This is because the Keeshond ranks very low for small-pet-chasing.
The Keeshond ranks number 118 out of 124 dog breeds for chasing after smaller pets.
This information is based on what 19 Keeshond owners reported on the temperament of their Keeshond in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Keeshond has a chasing score of 18.5 %.
Other dog breeds that are not into chasing after smaller pets just like the Keeshond are listed in the table below
| Chasing Rank | Breed | Chasing Score |
|---|---|---|
| 115 | Samoyed | 19.8 % |
| 116 | Anatolian Shepherd | 19.8 % |
| 117 | Black and Tan Coonhound | 19.2 % |
| 118 | Keeshond | 18.5 % |
| 119 | Mastiff (English) | 18.2 % |
| 120 | Great Pyrenees | 14.3 % |
| 121 | Bernese Mountain Dog | 11.3 % |
The dog breeds that like chasing after cats and other smaller pets are the:
The dog breeds that will not chase after cats and other smaller pets are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their prey drive.
Do Keeshonds Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?
Some dog breeds like to stay close to their owners all the time. These dogs like attention, and they like to receive the affection of their owners.
These dogs get jealous when their owners give attention to other dogs or other people instead of them.
Dogs with these traits are described as attachment/attention-seeking.
Keeshonds are a little bit attachment/attention-seeking.
This is because the Keeshond ranks low for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.
The Keeshond ranks number 90 out of 124 dog breeds for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.
This information is based on what 19 Keeshond owners reported on the temperament of their Keeshond in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Keeshond has an attachment/attention-seeking score of 39.7 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit attachment/attention-seeking just like the Keeshond are listed in the table below
| Attachment-Attention-Seeking Rank | Breed | Attachment-Attention-Seeking Score |
|---|---|---|
| 87 | Anatolian Shepherd | 41.2 % |
| 88 | Collie | 41.1 % |
| 89 | Italian Greyhound | 40.0 % |
| 90 | Keeshond | 39.7 % |
| 91 | German Shorthaired Pointer | 38.6 % |
| 92 | Alaskan Husky | 37.8 % |
| 93 | Newfoundland | 37.6 % |
The dog breeds that are always seeking the attention of their owners are the:
The dog breeds that are aloof are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their clinginess.
Do Keeshonds have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?
Dog breeds that have separation anxiety do not like to be left alone.
These dog breeds tend to bark and destroy things when separated from their owners.
They become restless or lose their appetite when left alone.
Keeshonds are not prone to developing separation anxiety.
This is because the Keeshond ranks very low for separation anxiety relative to other dog breeds.
The Keeshond ranks number 100 out of 124 dog breeds for separation anxiety.
This information is based on what 19 Keeshond owners reported on the temperament of their Keeshond in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Keeshond has a separation anxiety score of 23.7 %.
Other dog breeds that are not prone to develop separation anxiety just like the Keeshond are listed in the table below
| Separation-Related-Behavior Rank | Breed | Separation-Related-Behavior Score |
|---|---|---|
| 97 | Australian Shepherd | 25.2 % |
| 98 | Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier | 25.1 % |
| 99 | German Wirehaired Pointer | 24.9 % |
| 100 | Keeshond | 23.7 % |
| 101 | Bulldog | 23.6 % |
| 102 | Belgian Tervuren | 23.3 % |
| 103 | Gordon Setter | 23.1 % |
The dog breeds that are most prone to develop separation anxiety are listed below. These dog breeds do not like to be left alone. These dog breeds are the:
- Treeing Walker Coonhound
- Fox Terrier (Smooth)
- Chinese Crested
- Miniature Pinscher
- Australian Silky Terrier
The dog breeds that are least prone to develop separation anxiety are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their tendency to develop separation anxiety.
Are Keeshonds Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?
Dogs that are touch-sensitive are fearful of `painful` procedures such as bathing, grooming, nail clipping, and veterinary examinations.
These dogs do not like going through these `painful` procedures, and they will react to show they do not like the procedure.
Keeshonds are quite a bit touch-sensitive.
This is because the Keeshond ranks high for touch sensitivity.
The Keeshond ranks number 41 out of 124 dog breeds for touch sensitivity.
This information is based on what 19 Keeshond owners reported on the temperament of their Keeshond in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Keeshond has a touch-sensitivity score of 35.6 %.
Other dog breeds that are quite a bit touch-sensitive just like the Keeshond are listed in the table below
| Touch-Sensitivity Rank | Breed | Touch-Sensitivity Score |
|---|---|---|
| 38 | Bichon Frise | 37.1 % |
| 39 | Staffordshire Bull Terrier | 37.0 % |
| 40 | Cardigan Welsh Corgi | 37.0 % |
| 41 | Keeshond | 35.6 % |
| 42 | Basenji | 35.3 % |
| 43 | Greyhound | 34.8 % |
| 44 | Papillon | 34.7 % |
The dog breeds that are most touch-sensitive are the:
The dog breeds that are least touch-sensitive are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their sensitivity to touch.
Are Keeshonds Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?
Excitable dog or hyper dog breeds display strong reactions to potentially exciting or arousing events, such as:
- going for walks
- car trips
- sound of the doorbell
- arrival of visitors, and
- the owner arriving home
Highly excitable dog breeds have difficulty settling down after arousal.
Keeshonds are quite a bit hyper (excitable).
This is because the Keeshond ranks high for excitability.
The Keeshond ranks number 39 out of 124 dog breeds for excitability.
This information is based on what 19 Keeshond owners reported on the temperament of their Keeshond in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Keeshond has an excitability score of 52.4 %.
Other dog breeds that are quite a bit excitable just like the Keeshond are listed in the table below
| Excitability Rank | Breed | Excitability Score |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier | 53.0 % |
| 37 | Gordon Setter | 52.8 % |
| 38 | Yorkshire Terrier | 52.7 % |
| 39 | Keeshond | 52.4 % |
| 40 | Brittany | 52.3 % |
| 41 | Bearded Collie | 51.6 % |
| 42 | Rat Terrier | 51.1 % |
The dog breeds that are most hyper (excitable) are the:
- Australian Silky Terrier
- Fox Terrier (Smooth)
- American Eskimo Dog
- Parson Russell Terrier
- Miniature Schnauzer
The dog breeds that are least hyper (excitable) are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how hyper they are.
Are Keeshonds Playful? What is the Energy Level of Keeshonds
Energetic dog breeds are very playful dog breeds. These are the dog breeds that do not get tired easily.
Keeshonds are not energetic.
This is because the Keeshond ranks very low for energy level.
The Keeshond ranks number 98 out of 124 dog breeds for energy level.
This information is based on what 19 Keeshond owners reported on the temperament of their Keeshond in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Keeshond has an energy-level score of 37.4 %.
Other dog breeds that are not energetic just like the Keeshond are listed in the table below
| Energy-Level Rank | Breed | Energy-Level Score |
|---|---|---|
| 95 | Borzoi | 42.0 % |
| 96 | Bullmastiff | 40.1 % |
| 97 | Collie | 38.7 % |
| 98 | Keeshond | 37.4 % |
| 99 | English Setter | 37.0 % |
| 100 | Great Dane | 36.5 % |
| 101 | Akita | 34.1 % |
The dog breeds that are most playful and most energetic are the:
The dog breeds that are laziest are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the most energetic to the least energetic.
Conclusion on Keeshond Temperament
The temperament of your Keeshond comes from a combination of its genetics and what environment your Keeshond is exposed to.
You cannot change your Keeshond`s gene but you can change the things you expose your Keeshond to.
Exposing your Keeshond to dog training sessions early in its life can help you mold the temperament of your Keeshond to what you desire.
Again, with proper training, you can better your Keeshond`s temperament. To learn how to properly train a dog, I highly recommend Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.
I learned most of the things I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.
Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Keeshond.
If you think the Keeshond is the right dog breed for you, see our article on how much Keeshonds cost and Keeshond puppy buying guide.
Also, see our list of reputable Keeshond breeders in the United States and the prices of their Keeshond puppies.