Dutch SmoushondThe scruffy yellow ratter of Dutch stables

History and Origin

The Smoushond developed in the Netherlands in the 19th century as a stable dog. Coachmen and horse owners kept these wiry little dogs to catch rats and mice in stables and to keep the horses company. The name is often linked to an old Dutch slang word, and the breed was sometimes called the gentleman's stable dog because it was popular with well-off horse owners in Amsterdam.

A breed standard was written in the early 20th century and the breed was shown in the Netherlands, but interest faded and by the time the Second World War ended the original Smoushond had practically disappeared. In the 1970s a Dutch breeder began a reconstruction program using dogs of the right type, and today's population descends from that revival. The breed remains rare outside the Netherlands and is recognized by the FCI in Group 2.

Size, Coat and Color

The Dutch Smoushond is a small, sturdy, square-built dog with a broad, slightly domed head, a short, strong muzzle and small, high-set drop ears. It looks rough and practical rather than refined, which is exactly what the breed standard asks for. Adults stand about 14 to 17 inches and weigh around 20 to 22 lb. Males are typically a little taller than females.

The coat is the breed's trademark. It is harsh, wiry and somewhat untidy, with a soft undercoat and longer hair forming a moustache, beard and bushy eyebrows. The coat should look natural and is maintained by hand-stripping rather than clipping, which would soften it and dull the color.

The only accepted color is yellow in all shades, from pale straw to deep gold, and a darker straw yellow is often preferred. The ears, moustache and eyebrows may be darker than the body. The eyes are dark and the nose and lips black, which gives the Smoushond its friendly, slightly scruffy expression.

Temperament and Personality

Smoushonds are cheerful, affectionate and closely attached to their families. They like to be where their people are and usually get along well with children who treat them kindly. Most are friendly with visitors after a short check and are not known as excessive barkers, so they are better described as alert companions than serious watchdogs.

They tend to be sociable with other dogs and can live with cats when raised together. The old ratting instinct has not vanished, though: many will chase mice, rats or rabbits with enthusiasm, so small caged pets need protecting.

Are Dutch Smoushonds Good for First-Time Owners?

Yes, the Dutch Smoushond is one of the more beginner-friendly rare breeds. It is cheerful, eager to learn and adaptable, and its size makes it easy to handle. Most respond quickly to short, reward-based training sessions and are relaxed with visitors after a quick check.

First-time owners should still plan for a few things. The wiry coat needs hand-stripping a couple of times a year, which you can learn or have done by a groomer familiar with rough-coated breeds. Recall needs extra work because of the ratting instinct. Finding a puppy also takes patience, since most breeders are in the Netherlands.

Can a Dutch Smoushond Live in an Apartment?

Yes, a Dutch Smoushond can live happily in a reasonably sized apartment if it gets enough exercise and company. Its small size, moderate barking and calm indoor manners make it better suited to apartment life than many terrier-like breeds.

Plan for at least an hour of daily activity, including walks, off-leash running in safe areas and play, plus some training or games for the mind. Smoushonds dislike being alone for long periods, so an apartment owner who works away from home all day should arrange a dog walker or daycare. Teaching a calm settle and ignoring hallway noises helps keep the peace with neighbors.

Are Dutch Smoushonds Good with Cats?

Generally yes, when they are raised with cats. Smoushonds tend to be sociable, and many share a home peacefully with a family cat, especially when introduced as puppies and taught to respect it.

Their ratting background does matter, though. Small, fast-moving animals such as mice, rats, hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits can trigger strong chasing, so caged pets need secure housing and supervision. Unfamiliar cats outdoors may also be chased. When introducing an adult dog to a resident cat, go slowly, use gates and reward calm behavior, and give the cat high perches and a quiet retreat.

Exercise and Training

For a dog of about 14 to 17 inches, the Smoushond has good stamina. Plan on at least an hour a day of activity split into walks, off-lead running in safe areas and play. Many enjoy hiking, cycling alongside an adult owner once fully grown, and dog sports such as agility or rally.

Training is usually straightforward. The breed is eager to learn and responds well to short, upbeat sessions with food and praise. Work on recall early, because a fleeing rat or rabbit can override even a good dog's manners. Smoushonds dislike long periods alone and can become vocal or restless if left for full workdays without company.

Grooming and Shedding

The coat is harsh, wiry and deliberately a little untidy, in shades of yellow from straw to darker gold. It should not be clipped. Instead, it is hand-stripped a couple of times a year to remove dead hair and keep the texture correct, with a quick brush once or twice a week in between.

• Trim the hair around the feet and check between the pads.
• Keep the beard clean after meals.
• Trim nails every few weeks and brush teeth several times a week.

A well-stripped coat sheds relatively little hair around the house.

Feeding and Nutrition

The Dutch Smoushond is a sturdy, active small dog, and its food needs depend on how much it runs, hikes or plays. Adjust portions to body condition rather than the bag guide alone. Because the wiry coat can hide extra weight, check by feel: the ribs should be easy to find and the waist visible from above. A lean Smoushond keeps its stamina and spares its joints.

Puppies do well on three or four small meals a day until about six months, then two meals. A complete food for small to medium breed puppies supports steady growth. Avoid long runs alongside a bike until the dog is fully grown.

The beard collects food and water, so wipe it after meals to prevent staining, odor and skin irritation. Brush the teeth several times a week, as small dogs are prone to tartar.

Smoushonds are food-motivated and learn quickly with treats, which makes training easy but also makes overfeeding easy. Use small pieces and count them in the daily allowance.

Estimates use the resting energy formula veterinarians work with (70 × body weight in kg^0.75) and standard activity factors. Use the feeding guide on your food as a starting point and adjust to body condition. Puppies, seniors, pregnant animals and pets that need to lose weight have different needs, so ask your vet.

Health and Lifespan

The Dutch Smoushond is generally regarded as a healthy breed with a lifespan of about 13 to 14 years. Dutch breed information sources report no known inherited disorders that call for specific action, and the Dutch Kennel Club does not require mandatory health screening for breeding stock.

Because the gene pool is small, responsible breeders still pay attention to genetic diversity and choose healthy, sound parents. Ask a breeder about the health and longevity of the parents and grandparents, and keep your dog lean, since extra weight puts strain on a small dog's joints.

Dutch Smoushond Price and Cost of Ownership

The Dutch Smoushond is very rare in the US, and almost all breeders are in the Netherlands, so there is no meaningful US price range. Prices vary by breeder, region and lines, and an import adds transport, vaccinations and paperwork costs. Dutch breeders often have waiting lists and may prefer to place puppies with families they can visit or stay in contact with. Rescue Smoushonds are very rarely available outside the Netherlands.

Ongoing costs are modest. Food and equipment costs are those of a small dog, and the breed is generally healthy.

The main breed-specific cost is grooming. Hand-stripping a couple of times a year by a groomer skilled in rough-coated breeds costs more than a simple clip, and such groomers can be hard to find. Learning to strip the coat yourself, with a stripping knife and practice, saves money over the dog's life.

Is the Dutch Smoushond Right for You?

The Smoushond suits active households that want a small, sturdy, trainable dog and can include it in daily life. It adapts to a house or a reasonably sized apartment if it gets proper exercise.

• Good match: families with considerate children, first-time owners willing to train, people who walk or hike daily.
• Less ideal: homes where the dog would be alone all day, or with pet rodents running loose.

Expect a waiting list, as litters are few and most breeders are in the Netherlands.