| The Kooikerhundje has existed in the Netherlands | | | | officially recognized the breed. Also it is interesting to |
| since before the 1500s. The Kooikerhundje is a unique | | | | note that the Kooiker of today is again performing |
| dog which is directly related to the dog which is | | | | its original function, being used by conservation |
| known in the United States as the Nova Scotian | | | | organizations in Holland to lure the ducks into holding |
| Duck Toller. It is believed that the Toller is descended | | | | pens for the purposes of classification.The |
| from the Kooiker. The body build of the | | | | Kooikerhundje history includes an interesting note |
| Kooikerhundje is quite similar to the Duck toller but | | | | that a Kooikerhundje belonging to Prince William of |
| the coloring of the Kooiker is red and white. Like the | | | | Orange saved his life by alerting him of an attack by |
| duck toller, it is the heavily fringed white "feather" of | | | | the Spanish. He is a loyal and faithful dog as a pet in |
| his constantly moving tail which lures the ducks to | | | | a household and is a useful and intelligent hunting dog |
| the hunter, thus the term "decoy dog" is used to | | | | for the duck hunter of today. In the F.C.I. this dog is |
| describe the function of the two breeds. In the case | | | | registered within the gundog group. The |
| of the Kooikerhundje, the dog historically could be | | | | Kooikerhundje breed is also recorded with the |
| classified as a working dog rather than a hunting dog, | | | | Foundation Stock Service of the A.K.C. The first litter |
| for the Dutch people used the dog to lure the ducks | | | | of a Kooikerhundje was registered as recently as |
| into various blinds which a farmer would set up | | | | 1999 in the United States.This medium sized dog is |
| alongside the canals. A "decoy dog" would disappear | | | | red and white in color and of a size similar to that of |
| into a blind only to reappear on the other side and | | | | a Brittany Spaniel. He has proven himself to be a loyal |
| the ducks would follow out of curiosity. Eventually | | | | and affectionate companion dog and is considered to |
| the farmer and the dog would have captured a | | | | perform well as a Therapy Dog and as an Assistance |
| number of ducks which could then be taken to | | | | Dog. Search and rescue groups are also beginning to |
| market. Gradually the industrial revolution took over | | | | utilize this breed as a Search Dog and value him for |
| and marketplaces which sold live animals became less | | | | his focus and easy trainability. The dog possesses a |
| plentiful. By 1939 the breed was nearly extinct in | | | | strong willingness to work. Historically it is the working |
| Holland but through the passionate work of Baroness | | | | breeds which seem to produce the type of dog |
| van Hardenbroek the breed began to regain its | | | | which will function well in these areas. |
| former status and by 1966 the Dutch Kennel Club | | | | |