Schapendoes
A shaggy Dutch herding dog (Dutch Sheepdog), agile and good-natured. Lively, intelligent and affectionate, it makes a friendly family companion but needs exercise and regular grooming of its thick coat.
Schapendoes scorecard
Overview
The Schapendoes, or Dutch Sheepdog, is a shaggy, medium-sized herding breed from the Netherlands, standing around 40–50 cm tall and weighing roughly 12–25 kg. With its long, thick coat, abundant facial hair and light, springy build, it is an agile and good-natured dog that was traditionally used to herd sheep across the Dutch heaths and farmland.
Lively, intelligent and affectionate, the Schapendoes makes a friendly family companion for active households, though it needs plenty of exercise and regular grooming of its profuse coat. The breed is recognised by the FCI but is not currently a breed of The Kennel Club in the UK, where it remains relatively uncommon. Prospective owners should be ready for a busy, energetic herding dog that enjoys being involved in family life.
Good to know — a Schapendoes is best with a garden and manageable for committed beginners. Every dog is an individual, so meet a few and chat to a good breeder or rescue before deciding.
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History & origins
The Schapendoes is one of several traditional European shaggy herding dogs, related in type to breeds such as the Bearded Collie and the Bergamasco, and was long a common working sheepdog across the Netherlands. Like many regional working breeds, its numbers fell dramatically around the time of the Second World War, when the breed nearly disappeared.
Dedicated Dutch enthusiasts revived the Schapendoes in the mid-twentieth century, re-establishing the breed and gaining national recognition, and it was later recognised by the FCI. Today it is valued both as a companion and in dog sports, though it remains far more numerous in the Netherlands than in the UK.
Temperament & family fit
Schapendoes are lively, friendly and affectionate dogs that bond closely with their families and generally get on well with children and other dogs. Intelligent and alert, with the cooperative nature of a working herding breed, they are cheerful, attentive companions that enjoy being part of household activity. They are typically sociable rather than aggressive, though their herding heritage means they are watchful and will alert to comings and goings.
This is an active, busy breed that thrives on company and stimulation. Without enough exercise and mental engagement, a bored Schapendoes can become restless or noisy. Early socialisation helps produce a well-rounded adult, and the breed's good nature makes it a rewarding family dog for those who can meet its needs.
- Families with children of all ages
- Owners ready for consistent training
- Homes with a secure garden
Training & intelligence
Schapendoes are intelligent and trainable, with the willingness to work alongside people that comes from a herding background. They respond well to positive, reward-based training and enjoy the mental challenge, often excelling in dog sports such as agility and obedience. Short, varied and engaging sessions suit their lively minds best.
With their herding instincts, they appreciate having tasks to do, and channelling their energy into training and activities helps prevent boredom-related behaviours. They are generally considered reasonably suitable for committed first-time owners, provided those owners can offer consistent training, plenty of exercise and proper coat care.
- Start socialisation & handling early
- Reward-based methods only — no harsh corrections
- Channel energy into training games & enrichment
Exercise needs
A healthy adult Schapendoes typically needs 90 minutes to 2 hours a day (roughly 90–120 minutes), split across walks, play and a little training. Higher-energy dogs also need their brains tired — sniffy walks, training games and puzzle feeding go a long way. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need adjusted amounts — check with your vet.
Grooming & coat
The long, thick, slightly wavy coat needs regular grooming to prevent matting, with thorough brushing several times a week, increasing during seasonal moults. The abundant hair around the face and eyes should be kept clean and tidy, and ears checked regularly. While the coat does shed, consistent brushing keeps it manageable; occasional bathing and routine nail and dental care complete the routine.
- Brush several times a week
- Bathe every few weeks or as needed
- Check ears, nails and teeth weekly
Feeding considerations
Feed a complete, balanced diet suited to an active, medium-sized dog, adjusting portions to the dog's energy level to keep it fit and lean. Active working-type dogs may need a little more, while less active individuals must be fed carefully to avoid weight gain. Divide the daily ration into measured meals, provide constant access to fresh water, and follow veterinary guidance on amounts.
Schapendoes health & costs
Before bringing a Schapendoes home it pays to budget for the whole picture — food, insurance, grooming and routine vet care all add up. The figures below are typical UK estimates for a healthy adult; your real costs vary with where you live, your dog's health and the cover you choose.
Food
£400–600 / year
Complete food sized to weight & life stage
Insurance
£25–45 / month
Lifetime cover — varies by age, breed & area
Grooming
£400–700 / year
Regular professional grooming
Routine vet care
£200–450 / year
Vaccines, flea/worm, annual check
The Schapendoes is generally a healthy, hardy breed with a typical lifespan of around 12–15 years, benefiting from its functional working build and the care taken by enthusiasts during its revival. Most individuals enjoy good health when well cared for.
As with any breed, some inherited conditions can occur, and responsible breeders screen breeding stock where relevant schemes exist, particularly for eye and hip problems. Because the breed is relatively uncommon in the UK, prospective owners should ask breeders about the health of the parents and any health testing carried out.
Common health conditions to be aware of
- Progressive retinal atrophy — an inherited eye disease reported in the breed that can lead to blindness; DNA and eye testing help responsible breeders.
- Hip dysplasia — a developmental hip condition seen in many breeds; breeding dogs are ideally hip-scored.
- Eye irritation — the heavy facial hair around the eyes can cause irritation if not kept clean and trimmed.
- Ear infections — the hairy, dropped ears benefit from regular checking and cleaning to prevent infection.
- Coat matting and skin issues — a neglected coat can mat and cause skin problems, so regular grooming is important.
- Obesity — weight gain is a risk if the breed's exercise needs are not met.
These reflect typical, size- and coat-related risks for dogs like the Schapendoes; individual breeds carry their own predispositions. Always buy from health-tested parents and speak to your vet — this isn't a diagnosis.
Protect against surprise bills
A single emergency can run into thousands. Lifetime insurance spreads the risk.
Estimate insurance →How pet insurance works →Puppy & senior care
Bringing home a Schapendoes puppy
Puppies need controlled exercise (a rough guide is five minutes per month of age, twice a day) to protect growing joints, little-and-often meals of a complete puppy food, early socialisation, and a calm routine for toilet training and sleep. Book first vaccinations, microchipping and a vet check early.
New puppy checklist →Caring for a senior Schapendoes
As they age, watch weight, joints and teeth, switch to a senior diet if your vet advises, keep exercise gentle but regular, and consider orthopaedic bedding and ramps. Twice-yearly vet checks help catch issues early.
Orthopaedic beds & mobility →Pros & cons
The good bits
- Friendly, lively and good with families
- Agile and trainable
Things to consider
- Shaggy coat needs regular grooming
- High energy and needs plenty of activity
Compare the Schapendoes
See how the Schapendoes measures up against similar breeds before you decide:
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Schapendoes?
The Schapendoes, or Dutch Sheepdog, is a shaggy, medium-sized herding breed from the Netherlands. Standing around 40–50 cm tall and weighing roughly 12–25 kg, it has a long, thick coat, abundant facial hair and a light, springy build. Traditionally used to herd sheep across Dutch heaths and farmland, it is an agile, good-natured and lively dog that enjoys being part of family life.
Are Schapendoes good family dogs?
Yes. Schapendoes are lively, friendly and affectionate, bonding closely with their families and generally getting on well with children and other dogs. Intelligent and alert, they are cheerful companions that enjoy household activity. They make rewarding family dogs for active households that can meet their needs for exercise, mental stimulation and regular grooming, and early socialisation helps produce a well-rounded adult.
How much exercise does a Schapendoes need?
The Schapendoes is an energetic, agile breed that needs plenty of daily exercise and mental stimulation. Long walks, off-lead running in safe areas, play and dog sports all suit its athletic nature, and a garden is beneficial. It particularly enjoys activities that engage both body and mind. Without adequate exercise it can become frustrated, so an active household is the best fit.
Do Schapendoes need a lot of grooming?
Yes. The long, thick, slightly wavy coat needs thorough brushing several times a week to prevent matting, increasing during seasonal moults. The abundant hair around the face and eyes should be kept clean and tidy, and ears checked regularly. The coat does shed, but consistent brushing keeps it manageable, alongside occasional bathing and routine nail and dental care.
Are Schapendoes easy to train?
Schapendoes are intelligent and trainable, with the cooperative willingness of a herding breed. They respond well to positive, reward-based training and enjoy the mental challenge, often excelling at agility and obedience. Short, varied, engaging sessions suit them best. They are generally considered reasonably suitable for committed first-time owners who can offer consistent training, plenty of exercise and proper coat care.
How long do Schapendoes live?
The Schapendoes is generally a healthy, hardy breed with a typical lifespan of around 12–15 years, benefiting from its functional working build. As with any breed, some inherited conditions can occur, particularly eye and hip problems, so responsible breeders screen where relevant schemes exist. Because the breed is uncommon in the UK, ask breeders about the parents' health and any testing carried out.
Can a Schapendoes be left alone?
Not for long. The Schapendoes thrives on company and dislikes being left alone for extended periods, and a bored, under-stimulated individual can become restless or noisy. It suits an active home with a garden and owners who enjoy walks, play and dog sports. Plenty of exercise, mental engagement and company keep this sociable, busy herding dog happy and well-behaved.
Are Schapendoeses good with children?
Good with children. As a general guide, Schapendoess tend to be patient and tolerant. Whatever the breed, always supervise dogs and young children and teach kids to interact gently.
How much exercise does a Schapendoes need?
As a healthy adult, a typical Schapendoes needs 90 minutes to 2 hours of exercise a day (90–120 minutes), split across walks plus play. Higher-energy dogs also need mental stimulation — sniffing, training games and puzzle feeders — to stay settled. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need less — ask your vet.
Do Schapendoeses shed a lot?
Moderate shedding. Coat upkeep is high upkeep — plan on frequent brushing and regular trips to a groomer.
Are Schapendoeses easy to train and good for first-time owners?
Manageable for committed beginners. Schapendoess are best for owners ready to commit to consistent training and plenty of activity. Reward-based training and early socialisation help any dog.
Do Schapendoeses bark a lot?
Moderate barker. They are usually fairly easy-going about barking, though any dog will bark if bored or under-exercised.
Are Schapendoeses good with other dogs?
Sociable with other dogs. Early, positive socialisation with other dogs from a young age makes a big difference.
Do Schapendoeses suit flats or smaller homes?
Best with a garden. A Schapendoes is happiest with access to a secure garden and regular outdoor exercise.
Sources
- Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) — Schapendoes (Dutch Sheepdog) standard No. 313: https://www.fci.be/en/nomenclature/DUTCH-SHEEPDOG-313.html
- Blue Cross — Progressive retinal atrophy and eye conditions in dogs: https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/dog/health-and-injuries/eye-problems-in-dogs
- PDSA — Grooming your dog: https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/grooming-your-dog
- RSPCA — Dog exercise and enrichment: https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/health/exercise
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Every dog is an individual — temperament and needs vary. Please research thoroughly, meet dogs in person, and consider adopting from a rescue. This is general guidance, not a substitute for advice from your vet or a qualified trainer.