| The Kooikerhundje has existed in the Netherlands | | | | recognized the breed. Also it is interesting to note |
| since before the 1500s. The Kooikerhundje is a | | | | that the Kooiker of today is again performing its |
| unique dog which is directly related to the dog | | | | original function, being used by conservation |
| which is known in the United States as the Nova | | | | organizations in Holland to lure the ducks into |
| Scotian Duck Toller. It is believed that the Toller is | | | | holding pens for the purposes of classification.The |
| descended from the Kooiker. The body build of | | | | Kooikerhundje history includes an interesting note |
| the Kooikerhundje is quite similar to the Duck | | | | that a Kooikerhundje belonging to Prince William of |
| toller but the coloring of the Kooiker is red and | | | | Orange saved his life by alerting him of an attack |
| white. Like the duck toller, it is the heavily fringed | | | | by the Spanish. He is a loyal and faithful dog as a |
| white "feather" of his constantly moving tail which | | | | pet in a household and is a useful and intelligent |
| lures the ducks to the hunter, thus the term | | | | hunting dog for the duck hunter of today. In the |
| "decoy dog" is used to describe the function of | | | | F.C.I. this dog is registered within the gundog |
| the two breeds. In the case of the Kooikerhundje, | | | | group. The Kooikerhundje breed is also recorded |
| the dog historically could be classified as a working | | | | with the Foundation Stock Service of the A.K.C. |
| dog rather than a hunting dog, for the Dutch | | | | The first litter of a Kooikerhundje was registered |
| people used the dog to lure the ducks into various | | | | as recently as 1999 in the United States.This |
| blinds which a farmer would set up alongside the | | | | medium sized dog is red and white in color and of |
| canals. A "decoy dog" would disappear into a blind | | | | a size similar to that of a Brittany Spaniel. He has |
| only to reappear on the other side and the ducks | | | | proven himself to be a loyal and affectionate |
| would follow out of curiosity. Eventually the | | | | companion dog and is considered to perform well |
| farmer and the dog would have captured a | | | | as a Therapy Dog and as an Assistance Dog. |
| number of ducks which could then be taken to | | | | Search and rescue groups are also beginning to |
| market. Gradually the industrial revolution took | | | | utilize this breed as a Search Dog and value him |
| over and marketplaces which sold live animals | | | | for his focus and easy trainability. The dog |
| became less plentiful. By 1939 the breed was | | | | possesses a strong willingness to work. Historically |
| nearly extinct in Holland but through the | | | | it is the working breeds which seem to produce |
| passionate work of Baroness van Hardenbroek | | | | the type of dog which will function well in these |
| the breed began to regain its former status and | | | | areas. |
| by 1966 the Dutch Kennel Club officially | | | | |