Keeshonden are people‑oriented, vocal “watchdogs,” so owners may report loud ‘alarm’ barking to new people/noises (doorbells, busy lobbies) and heightened distress if separated from them; these dogs often settle better when kept close during check‑in. Expect excitement vocalizing and motion‑reactivity around other dogs passing by. Their dense double coat makes them heat‑intolerant, so panting from anticipation may be normal, but disproportionate, unrelenting panting, drooling, agitation, sudden quietness, wobbliness, or collapse after heat or stress should be flagged to the clinical team immediately—treat as an emergency.
Front desk script: This breed can be very vocal and closely bonded to their person—would your Keeshond be calmer if you stay nearby and we seat you in a quieter area? You may hear some ‘alert’ barking when people approach; we can minimize traffic around your space. Because their thick coat can make them heat‑sensitive, please tell us right away if you notice heavy, sustained panting, drooling, or wobbliness so a nurse can check in. Are there known triggers (doorbell sounds, car rides, fireworks) we should avoid during handling today?
Keeshonden have a well-documented breed risk for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), an inherited condition that can silently raise blood calcium in middle‑aged to senior dogs; watch for increased thirst/urination, weakness, vomiting, or reduced appetite—collapse or severe lethargy needs immediate escalation. Breed organizations also recommend screening for orthopedic issues (hip/elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation) and hereditary eye disease, and autoimmune thyroiditis/hypothyroidism and idiopathic epilepsy have been reported in the breed. Front-desk takeaways: confirm any PHPT DNA results, OFA/eye certifications, and note current signs affecting thirst/urination, mobility, or vision so the clinical team can prioritize appropriately.
Front desk script: For Keeshonden, we flag a known breed risk for primary hyperparathyroidism and some joint/eye conditions. May I note whether your dog or its parents had a PHPT DNA test or OFA hip/patella/eye results? If you’re seeing excessive drinking/urinating, weakness, vomiting, sudden vision changes, or any collapse, please tell me now so we can alert the medical team and expedite care. Otherwise, we’ll share these breed notes with your veterinarian at check‑in.
Keeshonds are friendly, medium spitz dogs that do best with daily moderate exercise and consistent brushing for their thick double coat; expect heavier seasonal shedding. Health points to know: they’re predisposed to hip dysplasia and luxating patellas, and the breed has a known issue called primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) with an available DNA test; reputable breeders screen hips, elbows, patellas, and eyes. Their dense coat can make them prone to overheating and can hide weight gain, so routine weight checks and heat awareness matter. Emergency: if you see extreme or unrelenting panting, confusion/weakness, collapse, or vomiting/diarrhea in hot weather, go to the nearest emergency vet immediately.
Front desk script: Keeshonds are affectionate, medium-size dogs with a thick double coat—plan on weekly brushing (more during seasonal sheds) and daily walks. For health, we commonly screen knees/hips and eyes, and the breed has a PHPT DNA test; if you’re buying a puppy, ask the breeder for OFA results (hips/elbows/patellas, eye exam) and the PHPT test report. In hot weather they can overheat—if there’s heavy nonstop panting, collapse, confusion, or vomiting/diarrhea, this is an emergency; head to the nearest ER vet now and call us on the way.
Keeshonden most often prompt front-desk calls for: heavy seasonal “coat blow” and grooming questions; itchy skin, hot spots, or ear scratching/odor linked to allergy-prone skin and dense undercoat; heat intolerance/excessive panting on warm days; weight gain or low energy concerns; intermittent limping or stiffness (hips, elbows, patellas); pre-breeding or new-puppy screening requests (hips/elbows, patellas, eyes); and senior check-ins for increased drinking/urination or urinary accidents (owners may ask about breed DNA testing for PHPT). If there is collapse, severe breathing trouble, heat distress (extreme panting, weakness, bright red or pale gums), a seizure lasting more than 5 minutes, or the pet cannot urinate, direct to emergency care immediately.
Front desk script: Thanks for calling—Keeshonden commonly come in for coat blow and grooming needs, itchy skin/ears, heat sensitivity, weight changes, and lameness or screening for hips/patellas/eyes. We can book a same-day exam to assess what’s going on and what the doctor recommends. If your Keeshond is in heat distress, has collapse or a seizure over 5 minutes, severe breathing difficulty, or can’t urinate, please go to the nearest emergency hospital now.
Keeshonden have a dense double coat (soft undercoat + harsh guard hairs) that sheds year‑round and heavily during seasonal “coat blow.” Front desk should set expectations for frequent brushing at home and recommend scheduling professional bath/brush and de‑shedding appointments about every 6–8 weeks, with extra brush‑outs during heavy shed periods. Shaving a double coat is generally not recommended because it can damage the coat’s protective function; instead book maintenance brush‑outs and undercoat removal. Common mat areas (behind ears/ruff, pants, tail) and trapped moisture can hide painful hot spots—if owners report rapidly enlarging red, wet, smelly patches or nonstop chewing at one spot, arrange a same‑day veterinary evaluation.
Front desk script: This breed has a heavy double coat that needs regular brush‑outs; we can book a bath/brush every 6–8 weeks and add extra de‑shedding during seasonal shedding. We don’t recommend shave‑downs for Keeshonden; a thorough brush‑out keeps the coat healthy. If you’re seeing a rapidly growing red, wet, smelly skin patch or your dog is chewing one area nonstop, we should see them today to check for a skin issue.
Keeshonds have a documented breed risk for inherited primary hyperparathyroidism (often emerging at ≥8 years), so triage any report of increased drinking/urination, vomiting, lethargy/weakness, or urinary straining as higher priority; offer same‑day evaluation and note any history of “PHPT gene–positive” status or prior high calcium for the doctor. For seizure concerns (this breed is noted among those with difficult seizures), schedule prompt evaluation after a first event; if a seizure lasts ≥5 minutes, there are repeated seizures, collapse, or the dog cannot urinate, direct the caller to emergency care immediately. Intermittent hind‑limb lameness or “skipping” (patellar luxation/hip dysplasia tendencies) can usually be routed to the next available GP unless sudden non‑weight‑bearing pain is reported, which should be seen the same day.
Front desk script: Because Keeshonds can be at higher risk for a calcium‑related hormone disorder, may I ask if you’re seeing increased drinking or urination, vomiting, lethargy, or straining to pee? If yes, we recommend a same‑day doctor evaluation; if your dog is too weak to stand, is seizing for more than five minutes or repeatedly, or cannot pass urine, please proceed to the nearest emergency hospital now. Otherwise, I can book the next available appointment and will note the breed risk and any prior testing history for the doctor.
Lifecycle notes for Keeshond: Puppy (0–12 mo)—schedule q3–4 week visits until ~16–20 weeks per DVM plan; common topics include socialization, parasite prevention, and getting the thick double coat used to brushing; ask clients to bring breeder clearances (OFA/CHIC: hips, elbows, patellas, ophthalmology) and any PHPT DNA status. Adult (1–7 yr)—book wellness every 6–12 months; do hands-on weight checks (coat can hide gain), review activity/heat tolerance, and ask about limping or eye cloudiness; confirm ongoing preventives. Senior (8+ yr)—plan exams about every 6 months; gather updates on mobility, thirst/urination, cognition, and skin/coat changes; doctor may add screening based on breed tendencies (orthopedic, thyroid, eyes, PHPT). If an owner reports difficulty breathing, collapse, non-productive retching, seizures, inability to urinate, or heat distress, direct them to an emergency hospital immediately and alert the veterinarian.
Front desk script: For Keeshond puppies, we’ll set visits every 3–4 weeks until about 16 weeks and help with socialization and grooming; please bring any breeder health info, including OFA/CHIC results and PHPT testing, to the first appointment. For adults, we recommend checkups every 6–12 months with a hands-on weight check under the coat and questions about activity, heat tolerance, limping, or eye changes; seniors (8+ years) are seen about every 6 months and the doctor may recommend screening tests. If you notice trouble breathing, collapse, seizures, non-productive retching, heat stress, or inability to urinate, please head to the nearest ER now and call us on the way.
Keeshonden are alert, vocal watchdogs and do best with calm, low‑stimulus check‑ins: offer quick rooming, seat away from doors/windows, and invite owners to use high‑value treats or a familiar mat to reduce barking. Because their dense double coat can make heat harder to tolerate, proactively offer shade/A/C and short waits in summer; if heavy panting, drooling, wobbliness, or collapse are reported on arrival, treat as an emergency. Ask if the dog has a documented primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) DNA test and screen intake questions for increased thirst/urination, vomiting, weakness, or tremors—flagging the medical team for expedited evaluation. Note common musculoskeletal tendencies (hip dysplasia/luxating patella) when scheduling older pets and request non‑slip flooring assistance for safer lobby movement.
Front desk script: “Keeshonden can be very alert barkers, so we’ll room you quickly and seat you in a quieter area—please use any treats or your dog’s mat while we check you in.” “This breed has a known genetic risk for a hormone disorder (PHPT); if you’ve noticed increased drinking or urination, vomiting, weakness, or tremors, please tell me so I can alert the medical team for a same‑day assessment.” “With their thick coat, if you see heavy panting, drooling, stumbling, or collapse in the car or lobby, that is an emergency—come straight inside and notify us immediately.”
Keeshonden have a well-documented breed risk for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT)—a hereditary condition that can silently raise blood calcium—so starting around age 7–8, ensure wellness labs include a calcium level each year and offer discussion of the available PHPT DNA test at any age. For triage: if the owner reports increased thirst/urination, vomiting, poor appetite, marked weakness, or tremors, book a same‑day exam; if collapse or seizures are reported, direct to the ER immediately. Also consider adding a thyroid panel at annual visits beginning around 3–4 years and then every 1–2 years per OFA guidance (especially if weight/skin/coat changes are noted).
Front desk script: Because Keeshonden are prone to a hereditary parathyroid issue, our doctor recommends a yearly calcium check on senior wellness bloodwork starting at age seven. Would you like us to add that (and discuss the optional DNA test) at your next visit? If you notice heavy drinking/urination, vomiting, weakness, or tremors, we need to see your dog today; if there’s collapse or a seizure, please go to the emergency hospital now. We can also add a thyroid screen to your annual exam starting around age three to four, and then set reminders every 1–2 years.
Keeshonden are typically friendly, people‑oriented, and vocal watchdogs that do best with upbeat, low‑pressure handling and keeping their person in view; offer treats, allow approach/sniff first, and expect alert barking at new arrivals. Front‑desk priorities: note any recent seizures (breed is over‑represented for idiopathic epilepsy), increased thirst/urination, weakness, or urinary stone history in middle‑aged/senior dogs (breed has a documented genetic predisposition to primary hyperparathyroidism/PHPT), and confirm if orthopedic (hips/patellas/elbows) or eye screening has been done per breed‑club recommendations. Coat is a plush double coat—before owners request a close shave, flag to the medical/grooming team due to spitz‑breed risk of post‑clipping alopecia. If the dog is actively seizing, collapsed, or showing severe distress (e.g., extreme panting with weakness or repeated vomiting), alert the medical team immediately and move to triage.
Front desk script: “Keeshonden are usually friendly but can be vocal; we’ll keep things calm and let them come to us. Any recent seizures, big increases in drinking/urination, weakness, or urinary stones we should flag for the doctor—especially in seniors?” “They have a heavy double coat; if you’re considering a close shave, we’ll loop in our medical/grooming team first.” “If your dog is seizing or suddenly collapses, please tell us right away so we can bring the medical team immediately.”
Keeshonden are people‑oriented, vocal spitz dogs with a dense double coat; newly adopted dogs may bark more during transition and often arrive with mats from shelter stays, and the heavy seasonal “coat blow” can hide weight gain—set expectations for routine brushing and professional grooming (avoid shaving) and reinforce heat safety. For intake/placement, request any prior health screening paperwork (hips, elbows, patellas, ophthalmology) and note the breed’s documented inherited risk for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT; late‑onset high calcium) with DNA testing now available, along with orthopedic and occasional epilepsy concerns. Coach adopters to watch for red flags—excessive thirst/urination, vomiting, weakness, or marked lethargy should be triaged for same‑day veterinary evaluation; collapse, extreme panting, or disorientation in heat require immediate emergency care.
Front desk script: This breed is very social and talkative, with a thick double coat—please set expectations for regular grooming and extra shedding periods; shaving isn’t recommended. For records, ask about any OFA/eye/hip/elbow/patella testing and let adopters know Keeshonden have a known genetic risk for high‑calcium disease (PHPT). If they report excessive drinking/urination, vomiting, or unusual weakness, we should book a same‑day vet visit. If there’s collapse or signs of heatstroke, direct them to the emergency clinic immediately.
Keeshonden are typically friendly, people‑oriented, and quick learners; they’re less independent than many spitz breeds and often act as alert “watchdogs,” so expect vocalization around doors and movement. At check‑in, greet calmly, ask permission to use treats for redirection, and seat away from entrances/high‑traffic areas to reduce trigger stacking. Verify a snug collar or harness before weighing—their plush double coat can hide fit and body outline—and minimize outdoor waits in warm weather, offering water as needed. For the handoff, note whether barking is alert vs. fear, which rewards work, whether owner presence helps, and request a low‑stim room if noise escalates. If you observe signs of heat distress (excessive panting, drooling, weakness/collapse), escalate to the medical team immediately and relocate to a cool, quiet area per clinic protocol.
Front desk script: Keeshonden are friendly but can be chatty watchdogs in new places—let’s head to a quieter spot; may we use small treats to help [Name] focus? Please keep [Name] on a snug collar or harness while we check in and get a weight. If you notice heavy panting, drooling, or weakness at any point, tell us right away so we can alert the medical team.
Escalate a Keeshond to emergency care now for: labored or noisy breathing; repeated unproductive retching with a tight, painful, or enlarging abdomen; collapse, pale/blue gums, inability to urinate, major trauma/bleeding, or known/suspected toxin exposure; seizures lasting more than 5 minutes, multiple seizures in 24 hours, or failure to return to normal between events; and heatstroke signs such as heavy panting, drooling, confusion, weakness, or collapse (double‑coated breeds are higher risk). For this breed, also trigger a same‑day clinician exam if there is a sudden marked increase in drinking/urination accompanied by vomiting, lethargy, or weakness due to a known breed predisposition to primary hyperparathyroidism (hypercalcemia).
Front desk script: What you’re describing could be life‑threatening; please proceed to the nearest emergency veterinary hospital now, and call us on the way so we can alert them. Unproductive retching, breathing trouble, collapse, seizures over 5 minutes or in clusters, or heatstroke signs require immediate ER evaluation. If your Keeshond has sudden heavy drinking/urinating with vomiting or marked lethargy, we need to schedule a same‑day doctor exam—can you come in within the next few hours?