ORIGIN
The Netherlands

UTILIZATION
This little spaniel which worked formerly and is still working so successfully in duck decoys, is a true sporting dog with a lively temperament. It is hamoniously built. Its coat is shiny, nicely coloured and well feathered.

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY
This Dutch breed ist now officialliy recognized by the FCI. The interim standard was approved by the << Raad van Beheer>> on June 18. 1966. As she had already done with numereous other breeds, Baroness van Hardenbroek added another jewel to the Dutch breeds. Good quality speciments in sufficient number are now being bred. The annual meeting of the Kooikerhondje played an important part in the development of this sporting breed.

GENERAL APPEARANCE
Agile parti-coloured dog with a nearly square body. It has a well feathered tail and a high head carriage.

IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS
The length of the body is slightly more than the height at withers. Length of the skull about equal to the muzzle.

BEHAVIOUR/TEMPERAMENT
Cheerful, but not noisy, very dependent on its domestic environment, friendly, good-natured and alert.
   

HEAD
CRANIAL REGION
Skull: Sufficiently broad moderately rounded,

Stop: Distinct, but not too deep.

FACIAL REGION
Nose: Black

Muzzle: Not too deep in profile

Lips: Not overhanging

Jaws/Teeth: The standard is scissore bite, pincer bite admitted.

Cheeks: Well filled

Eyes: Almond-shaped, deep brown with a friendly, alert expression

Ears: Medium sized, set on just above the line from the point of the nose to the corner of the eye; no white; hanging close to the cheeks. Long feathered, black tips (carrings) are preferred.

NECK: Straight and well muscled

BODY
Back: Strong
Chest: Deep with sufficient spring of ribs

TAIL
Carried on level with back or slightly above; not curled. Well feathered with a white plume, the last vertebra reaching the hock.

LIMBS
FOREQUARTERS
Forelegs straight and not too heavily feathered.

HINDQUARTERS
Breeches long feathered, but not feathering below the hock; the tersal joint sufficiently angulated

FEET
Small with tight toes; covered with short hair.

GAIT/MOVEMENTS
Should be flowing and springy, not stepping.

COAT
HAIR
Medium long, with a slight wave or straight; not curled and close fitting. Hair not too fine, well developed undercoat; easily kept.

COLOUR
Distinct and clear lighter orange-red patches on white. Orange-red colour should dominate. Black and white, an tricoloured dogs are not admitted.

Head pattern: White blaze and orange red coloured cheeks are preferred.

SIZE
Height at the withers: About 35 - 40 cm (14 - 16 ins)

FAULTS
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to ist degree.

N.B.: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.