Breed library

Smoushond

Smoushond photograph.
Hollandse Smoushond Amsterdam cropped.jpg - Hollandse_Smoushond_Amsterdam.jpg : ZeppWeb derivative work: Abujoy. CC BY 2.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hollandse_Smoushond_Amsterdam_cropped.jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0. License: CC BY 2.0.

Breed overview

The Dutch Smoushond or Hollandse Smoushond is a breed of small ratting dog. It is related to the Pinscher and Schnauzer breed type formerly kept in stables to eliminate rats and mice. It is rare and not well known outside the Netherlands. It was fully accepted by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in 1981.

  • Breed classification: SchnauzerBreed reference breed group.
  • Breed type: dog breedBreed reference breed kind.
  • Country of origin: NetherlandsBreed reference country of origin.

Breed facts

  • The Hollandse Smoushond Club (Smoushondenclub) was formed in 1905 to document and register the small stable dog as a purebred breed, as it was in danger of dying out.
  • The name refers to its shaggy fur and face, as Jewish men (called Smouzen in the 1800s, a slur deriving from the name Moses) had beards and long hair.
  • In 1973, several breeders began to reconstruct the breed with the few remaining dogs, most of whom had been crossbred with other breeds.
  • Much of the reconstruction was accomplished with the use of Border Terrier crosses.
  • The re-created breed was definitively accepted by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in 1981.

Size and appearance

The Dutch Smoushond is small in size, at the maximum 10 kg in weight and 43 cm in height at the withers. Its waterproof coat is rough and shaggy, and of any shade of yellow colour. The characteristic shape of the head is broad and short, with drop ears set high on the head.

  • Body mass reference: 7 kg or moreBreed reference body mass. minimum.
  • Body mass reference: Up to 11 kgBreed reference body mass. maximum.
  • Height reference: Up to 40 cmBreed reference height. female, maximum.
  • Height reference: 35 cm or moreBreed reference height. female, minimum.
  • Height reference: Up to 42 cmBreed reference height. male, maximum.
  • Height reference: 37 cm or moreBreed reference height. male, minimum.
  • Coat texture: shaggy
  • Height category: medium
  • Weight category: small
  • Weight category: medium

Personality and behavior

Care planning: record what your dog enjoys, how they greet visitors, and how they respond to new places. Add notes after walks and training so you can see their habits over time. Where this profile includes behavior research, use the same named measures when comparing your shortlist.

Exercise and activities

Care planning: build a weekly routine with walks, play and time to explore. Enter the minutes and sessions that work for your dog, then compare the weekly total with your available time. Keep notes about the activities your dog enjoys and adjust the routine together.

Training and enrichment

Care planning: choose one everyday skill to practice and keep a record of each session. Note the cue, the reward your dog enjoys and what went well. Rotate familiar games and new activities, and use your notes to choose the next small step.

Coat and grooming

Care planning: use the coat details above to discuss a grooming routine with your groomer. Record brushing sessions, baths and appointments in the app. Add the tools you use and your preferred schedule so the whole household can follow the same routine.

  • Coat texture: shaggy

Health and lifespan

Care planning: keep your dog's veterinary records, health-check dates and agreed care plan together. Add reminders for appointments and record changes you want to discuss at the next visit. Use the linked breed organizations and original references to explore their current health resources.

Living with this breed

Care planning: compare this profile's adult dimensions, coat care and available activity information with your household's routine. Make a shortlist, plan who will handle daily care and save the questions you want to ask a breed club, rescue or breeder.

Compare breeds

Compare supported adult height and weight ranges, matching research measures and sourced coat and care categories.

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Breed history

The Hollandse Smoushond Club (Smoushondenclub) was formed in 1905 to document and register the small stable dog as a purebred breed, as it was in danger of dying out. Its origins may have been with the ancestor of the Schnauzer breed, as an incorrect yellow colour. The name refers to its shaggy fur and face, as Jewish men (called Smouzen in the 1800s, a slur deriving from the name Moses) had beards and long hair. They were called "Dutch" to prevent confusion with the similar Brussels Griffons. During World War II, the breed nearly disappeared. In 1973, several breeders began to reconstruct the breed with the few remaining dogs, most of whom had been crossbred with other breeds. Much of the reconstruction was accomplished with the use of Border Terrier crosses. The re-created breed was definitively accepted by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in 1981.

Clubs and further reading

Sources

  1. Wikidata structured breed dataWikimedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0 1.0. Wikidata contributors (CC0).
  2. National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.PLOS ONE / Figshare Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 4.0. Bohland, Kyle R.; Lilly, Meghan Leanne; Herron, Meghan E.; Arruda, Andréia G.; O’Quin, Jeanette M. (2023). National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.. PLOS ONE. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289356.s003 CC BY 4.0. Selected rows and field names adapted; values unchanged.
  3. File:Hollandse Smoushond Amsterdam cropped.jpgWikimedia Commons Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 2.0. Hollandse Smoushond Amsterdam cropped.jpg - Hollandse_Smoushond_Amsterdam.jpg : ZeppWeb derivative work: Abujoy. CC BY 2.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hollandse_Smoushond_Amsterdam_cropped.jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0.
  4. Dutch Smoushond - WikipediaWikipedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted excerpts from Wikipedia contributors, Dutch Smoushond, revision 1328193500. CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting, citations and selection changed. Source history: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dutch_Smoushond&action=history
  5. Palipaws everyday care planningPalipaws Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Palipaws original factual summaries. Palipaws. Original care-planning text, separate from breed measurements and licensed article summaries.