Markiesje?

[cavacrazy]

If anyone has had experience with this newly revived (remade) Dutch breed, I'd be interested in hearing it, especially re their temperament.

I'm really wishing I could read Dutch right now, as it says the breed was formed from Friesian "Bykes". My FIL was Friesan, but I have no idea what a "Byke" is. (OK, just found it. It is a small mole dog.)





"The Markiesje was a well known spaniel in the Netherlands in the 18th century and had the same ancestors as other toy spaniels, the King Charles Spaniel in England and the Epagneul Nain Continental (Papillon and Phalene), except that the Markiesje was somewhat larger and looked more like the larger spaniels.

The dogs that were too small to be used as hunting dogs became women's lap dogs. These "non-useable" little dogs were often seen in the patrician households. They were black or black with small white markings and were called Dutch spaniels. The same type of dog in red and white was usually called an Italian spaniel. In bed the little dogs served as foot warmers and in the bedroom they kept out the rodents. According to the legend, the breed name, the "Markiesje", referred to the Marquise de Pompadour, the famous mistress of Louis XIV.

But it could come from the French word "maquer", which refers to a pointing breed, or from the habit of Spanish ladies to carry them around in baskets. Various French queens reported that these little dogs were their favorite companion dogs. They all had drop ears and only in the 19th century did some toy spaniels develop the semi-erect ears."

link to more photos and history here: Welkom

CC

[Mynona.]

Not a breed I've heard of but a scout around the net and it looks like they are the ideal family pet with no genetic health problems known. Wouldn't mind one myself

[cavacrazy]

The lower photo is identical in expression to the spaniel mix I had as a child. Now I wished I lived an ocean over, as there are no breeders in North America.

I have been reading a bit more, and they were built from small mongrels - it seems - since the 1970s. Dogbreedinfo mentions poodles were used as well. They still maintain an open stud book.

This is all good!

CC

[cavacrazy]

OK, well, I think I'm smitten.

[Kerryowner]

I haven't seen that breed but I was showing my male dog at a show in the summer and I saw a Kookerhonje (sorry probably spelt wrong) which I think is also a Dutch spaniel type dog. The owner was most impressed I knew what it was as a lot of judges at dog shows didn't have a clue.
One thing about having a rare breed I find is that you hardly see anyone else with your type of dog but if I say this to my husband he gets annoyed as he says I like having something unusual but we have only seen 6 other Kerries in as many years!

[cavacrazy]

I just love these Dutch spellings!

The Kooikerhondje IS another small Dutch breed, but it is very much a sporting breed with VERY different temperament characteristics.



It is a parti -red sable in coloring, and that makes me now realize a factor that probably played into the decision by the Markeisje founders to limit their breed to black or black/white.

I actually like this coloring a whole lot more, but I don't believe the Kooikerhondje temperament would be for me . . . not that I'm looking for a dog at the moment. (I just like looking).

CC

[Kerryowner]

Thanks for the spelling Cavacrazy! I did wonder about the breed's temperament as the owner of the dog I met said there was only a handful in the country and one had been put to sleep as aggressive temperament and they didn't want that in the breed as they were so rare.

[vikky]

Hi there
Living here I see a fare amount of Kooikers and some markiesje's.. ( although I have only seen the all black ones round here)
While the Markiesjes tend to be ok and fairly stable although there is some sign of in-breeding, bulging eyes and snappiness..They are very loyal little dogs though and will do anything to protect their owner..

I must say its a lot more common in the kooikers to be honest they are a bloody nightmare snappy mean little buggers..
I love the look but the temprement really puts me off and if Im out with my dogs I give Kooikers a wide berth..

BTW in 2008 there were 600 bitches and 600 dogs.. registered markiesjes making them an endangerd breed no idea how many were breeding..
And for the kooikers about 2,500 of each but only 130 breeding bitches and 44 males ( maybe this is part of the temprement problem?)