The Dutch Schapendoes (Nederlandse Schapendoes) steers with the tail when jumping. The FCI standard describes its carriage precisely: low at rest, high and swinging from side to side at a trot, stretched horizontally at a gallop. This lightly built Dutch dog is made for quick turns and long leaps across heathland.
| FCI | Group 1 (Sheepdogs and Cattledogs), Section 1 Sheepdogs, Standard No. 313, without working trial |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Netherlands |
| Size (height at the withers) | males 43 to 50 cm, females 40 to 47 cm |
| Weight | not specified in the FCI standard |
| Life expectancy | no reliable study figure found (N/A) |
| Coat | dense with sufficient undercoat, long (a good 7 cm or more on the hindquarters), slightly wavy, fine and dry, not silky; substantial topknot, moustache and beard |
| Colours in the standard | all colours allowed, preferably blue-grey to black |
Almost lost, then rebuilt
Around 1900, these dogs appeared wherever the Netherlands had heathland and sheep flocks, before almost disappearing. The cynologist P. M. C. Toepoel revived interest during the Second World War; deliberate rebuilding began in 1945. Definitive recognition came in 1971, and from the FCI in 1991. Relatives named by the standard include the Bearded Collie, the Puli and the Briard.
Cheerful, with judgement of their own
Attentive, courageous, intelligent, watchful, cheerful, lively, friendly and spirited, and very affectionate and loyal towards familiar people. Having needed to act independently in the pasture, they think for themselves. They enjoy learning when training feels like play rather than drill.
Endurance, jumping power and agility
The standard requires great endurance, speed and jumping ability, because these dogs gallop more than they trot at work. Long, varied walks, agility, herding training or searching games suit them.
A coat allowed to stay natural
The dry, slightly wavy hair tends to stand out in tufts where it is long; that is intentional. Brush thoroughly down to the skin once a week, removing burrs and twigs after outings in the countryside.
Eyes, nerves and joints
A reliable lifespan figure is lacking. An inherited retinal degeneration (gPRA) causing night blindness and progressive sight loss is known. The cause lies in CCDC66 (Dekomien et al. 2010); a genetic test can rule it out. In 2024, a nervous-system storage disease (NCL6) was described in a 19-month-old Schapendoes; a test is now available for this too (Bellamy et al. 2024). In Sweden, 15 of 298 X-rayed dogs had hip dysplasia and 29 of 273 had elbow dysplasia (Engdahl et al. 2026). A Dutch study found epilepsy in 0.23 percent of the breed (Rolink et al. 2026).
Who they are right for
Families and active people wanting a cheerful, affectionate companion who enjoys work, who like the outdoors and a slightly wild appearance. Committed beginners can manage with good guidance.
And who they are not right for
People wanting a styled dog without dirt in the coat, those with very inactive days and anyone who has little appreciation for a dog who thinks independently.
The breed quiz helps you assess whether a shaggy, jumping herding dog suits you; our book “Which Dog REALLY Suits You?” (book in German) offers detailed guidance. For the first weeks with a puppy, there is the free Puppy Starter Pack. Put your Schapendoes on the wall through our dog portraits from your own photo, for example as a poster in a wooden frame.
Further reading
- Border Collie: when the cleverest dog has no job
- Autumn shedding in dogs and cats: what is normal and when it is not
- Puppy biting: teaching bite inhibition without spoiling the fun
Sources, accessed on 20.10.2026: FCI Standard No. 313 Nederlandse Schapendoes (Niederländischer Schapendoes) (fci.be, German version dated 14.04.1999, valid standard published on 26.03.1992); McMillan KM et al., Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death, Scientific Reports 2024; Dekomien G et al., Progressive retinal atrophy in Schapendoes dogs: mutation of the newly identified CCDC66 gene, Neurogenetics 2010; Bellamy KKL et al., Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis in a Schapendoes dog is caused by a missense variant in CLN6, Animal Genetics 2024; Engdahl K et al., Prevalence of hip and elbow dysplasia in young adult dogs in Sweden, Veterinary Record 2026; Rolink T et al., Phenotypic characterisation, quality of life and prevalence of idiopathic epilepsy and epilepsy of unknown cause in the nine Dutch dog breeds, Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2026.
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