A spaniel-type Dutch breed historically used to lure ducks into traps (kooi). Friendly, alert and energetic, with a striking white-and-red coat and feathered, black-tipped ears.
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From the minimum an animal needs to be kept humanely, up to the ideal setup. Bigger is almost always better — minimums are floors, not targets.
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Minimum
Apartment or small home with daily walks
Apartment + 2× daily 30-min walks
A small dog adapts well to apartment living with two structured walks a day plus indoor enrichment. Crate-train for alone-time and give supervised free-roam of the household when settled.
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Recommended
Home with secure yard + daily routine
House + fenced yard + 45 min daily exercise
A house with a securely fenced yard, two structured walks per day, and indoor enrichment (chews, training, puzzle feeders). Most small breeds settle well as household pets when this baseline is met. High-drive working breed — the recommended tier still demands daily structured mental work (training, scent games, herding ball, fetch with rules), not just walks.
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Ideal
Household companion with varied enrichment
House + fenced yard + sport or hobby
Dutch duck decoy spaniel — field/water work or scent sport suits the heritage. — ideal is acreage or rural property paired with a daily job or canine sport: herding stock, scent detection, agility, protection sport, sledding, gundog field work, or a structured working role. Without that outlet, expect destructive behaviour, reactivity, and welfare-relevant frustration.
Life & growth stages
How this animal changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.
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Newborn
Newborn mammals are nursed on their mother's milk. Many are born helpless — blind, deaf, and sparsely furred (altricial, as in dogs, cats, and rodents) — while others stand and follow within hours (precocial, as in hoofed livestock).
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Juvenile
After weaning, juveniles grow quickly and become increasingly active, playful, and independent. Adult coat, proportions, and (in many species) the permanent teeth come in as they approach full size.
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Adult
Adults reach full body size and sexual maturity, with the species' mature coat and build. Sexual dimorphism — differences in size, mane, horns, or markings — is pronounced in some mammals and subtle in others.
Senior
Senior animals show aging signs such as graying fur, reduced activity, and a greater need for veterinary monitoring of joints, teeth, and organ function. Lifespan and the onset of old age vary widely by species and size.
Color & pattern variants
Natural variants occur in the wild; selectively bred (man-made) variants were developed in captivity.
Adaptable to apartments or houses provided it gets daily exercise and engagement; happiest with access to a yard and water to play in. Needs around an hour of activity per day plus mental enrichment such as training, scent games or dog sports. Enjoys swimming, reflecting its waterfowl heritage.
Diet
Standard high-quality complete diet matched to age and activity. Prone to weight gain if overfed and under-exercised, so measure portions and limit treats. No widespread breed-specific dietary disorder, but maintaining lean body condition supports joint and overall health.
Behavior & temperament
Cheerful, alert and affectionate with family but typically reserved with strangers. Sensitive and intelligent, responding best to gentle, positive, consistent training; harsh methods backfire. Moderate-to-high energy. Generally good with respectful children and other dogs; the bird-dog background can prompt chasing of small animals. Can be vocal and makes an attentive watchdog.
Health
A small founder population means several hereditary conditions are tracked by breed clubs: hereditary necrotising myelopathy (ENM, a neurological disease — DNA test available), von Willebrand disease type III (bleeding disorder — DNA test), patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, epilepsy, and eye conditions including cataracts. Responsible breeders test for ENM and vWD and screen hips, patellas and eyes. Buy only from health-tested lines.
Tips, DIY & hacks
The medium-length coat needs weekly brushing, with extra attention to the feathered ears, legs and tail to prevent matting; sheds moderately. Keep ear feathering clean and check ears for moisture/infection, especially after swimming. Reward-based training suits this soft, sensitive breed. Early socialization helps manage natural wariness of strangers.
