Everytime I hear them called "dutchies" I think of that darn song.."pass the dutchie on the left hand side..." you know which one right? lol, Anyway you can pass me a dutch shepherd anyday you want. I like these little dogs and I am wondering if they are typiclly more mellow than a malinois?

Never heard this about them: Would you say this is true that they are velcro dogs- attaching themselves to one person in the family? Got that bit of info off of this site: http://www.vonfalconer.com/dutchshepherd.html
and also here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_Shepherd_Dog

Does anyone know of a breeder/importer of Dutch Shepherds in Texas of Southern US?

Thanks!
Alison Voore

I would say that they are loyal to their handlers and household members and that it is all about bonding and leadership. I do not think that they are velcro dogs at all. But we use "velcro dogs" in a different way here.
My Dutch and Mal are similar in drives but different in household behavior and with other animals. I think that age plays a part though as my Dutch is 4 and my Mal is 15 months.
I still would not recommend a Dutch or a Mal as a "first time" dog or go to a home where strong leadership is not available.
I strongly believe that people need to research breeds and try and go and see and spend time with breeds they are looking at before they get one.
I was fortunate enough to be able to work with Law Enforcement K-9 handlers and other SAR people with Malis, so I had about a year of researching and watching (and taking hits) to decide that I indeed wanted a Mal and I committed to the time and patience, a trainer that knows Mals well AND obtaining equipment it takes to have and maintain these dogs.
I have made mistakes with my first one but that is life and I am learning a lot so that when the second, third and fourth ones come around I will know what to do and what not to do.
Dutch Shepards are hard to find and I know there has been discussion on here about the few breeders there are....I would do a search and read those.

I have always had GSD and have experience with Mals, but I have never been around Dutch Shepherds though. I am trying to get a feel of whether they are more like Mals or Shepherds or if they are totally different (Working ability aside). So far I have gathered that they are like Mals because they have been bred with so many. Though I have heard a few people say "no they are more like Shepherds". I would be interested in a Dutch pup for a working ppd/sport dog.

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I do not think that they are velcro dogs at all. But we use "velcro dogs" in a different way here.

What do you mean? How would you describe a "velcro dog"?

Besides Seven Pines (which I am familiar with by their good reputation), Are there any breeders in Texas?

We use "velcro" in a dog that is in training and becomes handler dependant and will not range to search. These dogs are usually a "wash out" of the program. One dog we had would not range more than 10 ft from his handler, he would stop, sit down and wait for her to come up and restart him. She was upset when we washed him due to the fact that he bit three people that wanted to see the "pretty search dog". She never learned and the dog was a wreck from the get go.
These dogs are also mostly pets that people are trying to turn into search dogs and they do not have the "drives" and attitudes we look for. They are not necassarily well behaved, well bonded dogs either. They pretty much do what they want, when they want and the handler is always "in their ear".

These dogs are also not generally very upbeat when they do find someone, they do not get excited and want whatever reward they have. When the handler leaves the dog in a crate and the dog whines, barks and throws a fit because the handler is gone and we know the dog is not doing it because they want to work, but rather due to insecurity, we call this "velcro".
My dogs bark when we are working a different dog because they know its work and they want to get out and work, they could care less about me, knowing the "victim" is somewhere with a possible reward, that is what they are focused on. That is why I park away from the immediate area so that my dogs do not disrupt training and they quiet down after a bit.

I agree by the way you used velcro dog. I was once told by a guide dog trainer that they don't used Shepherds because they are velcro dogs- too insecure, attach to breeder, then trainer, then handler and by the time they get to a deaf/blind person they are so insecure, confused, emotionally traumatized, it's not worth their time. Labs and Golden don't usually do this she said.

So I hope that Dutch shepherds are not velcro dogs in this sense but I like the attachment to one person thing. I feel that it means the dog recognizes it's leader and is a good pack driven dog.
Would you say your Dutch is a better "house dog" than a Mal, considering it has good outlet for drive and exercise? Are familiar with any breeders in the US?
Thanks for all the answers!
Alison Voore

I have seen good GSD guide dogs but they were imports that had stable temperments and the trainer/handler was the only person to work with the dog until they found a person for the dog to go to. But they are few and far between, and from what I know, GR's and Labs were the dog of choice for this work.

As far as house dogs, yes the Dutch is better in the house, but the Mal is young so age is a factor. My dogs work or get excercised for at least an hour per day. I am not familiar with any breeders of Dutchies since the one I have just kind of fell into our laps and I tend to lean more towards the Mal anyway, but I would not give this particular Dutch up, no way no how.
I need to put in here that I love my Bloodhound and my Lab too, but I love any dog with the drive to do the work.

Hi,
If people are interested in what u call 'Dutchies" look in the site of Rob Luijken en Dick van Leeuwen they have real good dogs.
http://www.vanleeuwen-hollandseherders.nl/
http://home.tiscali.nl/luykensdogsite/jongetommys.htm
These are at the moment probably the in Holland.
Greetings,
Ab

thanks Ab.
We also have a english version of our homepage:
http://www.vanleeuwen-dutchshepherds.nl