Keeshond standard color vs Non-Standard Color?

Where can I find breeders of non-standard colored Keeshonds?

I recently read an article on Wikipedia.com that Keeshonds used to be bred in various colors until the AKC selected the "wolf color" as the standard. In that same article, they mentioned that sometimes litters include pups in non-standard colors. They are then spayed/neutered to prevent more nonstandard colored Keeshonden. I would like to know if there are breeders in the U.S. who are breeding for nonstandard colors in Keeshonden.

Kees breeders sometimes do get a 'colored' keeshond. Recently, there have been several litters with whites. Actually, I think breeders are quite excited to get a white kees. But no legit breeder intentionally breeds for white, there's no point, It's just a happy accident if they get one. Colored kees go to loving pet homes, and a few have been shown in FCI shows. It's quite interesting to see a differently colored kees. But these dogs are not bred, and breeders are carefull not to breed dogs who might both carry white or other colors.

There's plenty of variety within the traditional wolf grey kees. The standard allows everything from very light to very dark, so there's no need to start breeding other colors. And with the gene pool shrinking, I don't think there's much of a chance to start breeding kees of different colors. Wolf grey is dominant. it would take much inbreeding to consistantly breed colored kees. I would hate to see the health problems that would bring up.

There are a few Mittel spitz breeders in the US, there are more colors for those dogs, but it seems people really want the wolf grey mittels. So they look like little keeshonden. Go figure.

from AKC standard :
Color and Markings
A dramatically marked dog, the Keeshond is a mixture of gray, black and cream. This coloration may vary from light to dark. The hair of the outer coat is black tipped, the length of the black tips producing the characteristic shading of color. Puppies are often less intensely marked. The undercoat is very pale gray or cream, never tawny.

What is non-standar color? If its not an accepted color, then I would think dogs that are "mismarked" would probably nuetered/spayed.

Sorry to say this, but there shouldn't be any. If you find one, you should be VERY worried about your dog. Reputable breeders only breed dogs that improve on the breed. You don't breed dogs that aren't standard colors. That goes against every breeding rule there is.

Thank you for considering this opinion.

The first important point is that AKC does NOT set the standards for Keeshonds or any other breed. Standards, including acceptable colors, are set by the breed's parent club, in this case the Keeshond Club of America (http://www.keeshond.org/).

Specific color standards can be set by a club for a number of reasons. In some cases, color is directly relevant to the work a dog is bred for. In other cases, color choices have genetic importance, as there are numerous examples where particular health defects like deafness or neurological issues can be directly linked to particular color factors (i.e. merle). In some cases, this genetic link might be due to genetic linking (like how red hair and freckles are commonly tied together in humans, or eye problems like nystagmus and strabismus in albino humans) and in other cases it is due to "founder's effect" where a particular dog or dogs in the breed's heritage carried both the color and a specific health issue, thereby causing the color to be avoided as a legitimate proxy for avoiding the health issue (reports of this being the case in Weimeraners). And of course, there are cases where color rules might be determined based purely on fashion.

I do not know know enough about the Keeshond breed to know why particular colors are disqualifications. Knowing what I do know about color selection, I can still suggest the following:

Make contact with various breeders. Ask if they ever have non-standard puppies. If they do, you should expect that they will sell them as pet-quality only and will require spay and neuter contracts. If you come across breeders who deliberately breed for non-standard colors, it should be a MAJOR red flag. Although the average pet owner does tend to fixate on things like color and appearance, it is *imperative* that your puppy's breeder be more concerned with issues of health and temperament over color. While there are plenty of breeders who focus on color and swear left, right, and sideways that they take care with health and temperament too, there are simply too many variables in breeding quality dogs to be able to truly do all three at the same time. This is especially challenging when people breed for colors that are uncommon in a breed, because they *severely* limit their potential gene pool in order to select for the colors they desire. Go ahead and look for color, but please, please, please keep an open mind because this dog won't be a decoration for your home or a personal accessory, but rather a companion for many years to come, and finding a dog that is healthy and fits into your lifestyle is a bajillion times more important than what the dog looks like. (Yes, a bajillion!)

Good luck with your search for a new pup!

Just because *YOU* don't know the reason for a particular color being standard doesn't mean that there is no reason.

You will not find an ETHICAL breeder deliberately producing non-standard colors, although you may find one who produced one accidentally if you look hard.

I have a long-haired basset hound. Long hair is a disqualification under the standard. People who see my dog and think that she's beautiful (and she is) don't understand why the long-coats are forbidden. But as a breeder who is serious about the breed, I know why and I agree. So although I love my long-hair, and I think she's gorgeous, I would never DELIBERATELY produce long-haired puppies. If they happen to turn up accidentally in a litter, that's fine, chit happens, but to deliberately breed for a fault is wrong. The breed is not ours to change according to our whims, we are only the custodians.