DUTCH SHEPHERDS
ABOUT THE BREED
The Dutch Shepherd is a highly versatile and intelligent working dog, originating from the Netherlands. Known for its adaptability and keen work ethic, this breed has been historically utilized for herding, police work, and protection sports. Dutch Shepherds are medium-sized, muscular dogs with a balanced build, typically standing between 21.5 to 24.5 inches tall and weighing between 50 to 70 pounds. Their coat can be short, long, or rough, with the most common colors being brindle shades of gold or silver.
Due to their handler focus and high drive, Dutch Shepherds excel in police and military work, as well as protection sports. Their sharp intelligence and trainability make them exceptional in roles requiring quick thinking and responsiveness. Additionally, Dutch Shepherds' high energy levels and athleticism allow them to perform well in various other dog sports, including agility, obedience, dock diving, and scentwork and more. However, it is their loyal nature, coupled with a strong drive to please their owners, that truly sets them apart.
Rosalita working with helper Damon Jones, summer 2024.
FCI VERSUS KNPV - WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
At Pytka Performance K9, we take pride in primarily breeding FCI Dutch Shepherds, which are renowned for their adherence to breed standards and exceptional versatility across a wide range of working roles. FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) Dutch Shepherds are meticulously bred with a strong focus on both structure and temperament, resulting in dogs that are not only balanced in character but also physically sound. This careful breeding makes our FCI Dutchies more universal, capable of excelling in diverse environments and various dog sports.
Our FCI Dutch Shepherds are particularly well-suited for IGP, where their strong work ethic, intelligence, and drive are showcased. However, their versatility doesn’t end there. These dogs have also found remarkable success in other sports, such as dog diving, where their athleticism shines, and competitive obedience, where their eagerness to please and sharp focus are clear advantages. Additionally, their agility and responsiveness make them excellent contenders in agility competitions, and they have proven to be highly adaptable to any challenge presented to them.
While our primary focus is on FCI lines, we recognize the unique strengths that KNPV (Koninklijke Nederlandse Politiehond Vereniging) bloodlines can offer, particularly in specialized working roles. KNPV Dutch Shepherds are often bred with an emphasis on intense working drives and may be crossed with Malinois, creating dogs that are highly specialized for tasks such as police work or protection. However, these dogs do not always conform to the same strict breed standards as FCI lines, which can result in a different type of working dog. By occasionally incorporating KNPV blood into our breeding program, we are able to tailor specific litters to meet certain goals, whether it's enhancing drive, tenacity, or a particular skill set.
Through this selective and intentional approach to breeding, we aim to produce Dutch Shepherds that are not only well-rounded and capable of performing at the highest levels in a variety of disciplines but also maintain the integrity and quality of the breed. Our dogs are bred to be champions, not just in the competitive arena but also as loyal companions and reliable working partners. Whether in sports, work, or play, our FCI Dutch Shepherds are equipped to excel and thrive.
PPK9 DUTCH SHEPHERDS
At Pytka Performance K9, we hold a strong belief that the Dutch Shepherd should be the epitome of a universal working dog, capable of excelling in all domains of canine sports and work. Our Dutch Shepherds are meticulously bred to uphold the breed standard, emphasizing a mid-sized, well-balanced physique.
Our dogs are not only adept protection sports but also shine in diverse arenas such as dock diving, agility, and bikejoring. Beyond their working capabilities, we prioritize breeding Dutch Shepherds with social, stable temperaments. This ensures that after a day of rigorous work or sport, they can seamlessly transition to being loving and gentle family companions.
Our commitment to this vision means our Dutch Shepherds are not just high performers in the field, but also excel as family dogs. They are chosen and bred for their stable temperaments, making them great with children and well-suited for a home environment. All our dogs are thoroughly health and temperament tested, and each puppy is carefully matched to its new family to best meet their goals with their new dog. Additionally, all dogs are sold with health guarantees, providing peace of mind to new owners.
At Pytka Performance K9, we take pride in producing Dutch Shepherds that are as reliable in their work as they are loving with their families, embodying the true essence of a versatile and well-rounded working dog.
MEET OUR DUTCHIES
Pytka’s Jump a Little Lighter “Rosalita”
OFA Hips Good / Elbows Normal
DNA DM Clear / SDCA 1 and 2 Clear
BH-VT
BRN 45326 • DOB 10/9/2021
Protector’s Borax x Hollandse Herder vom Holops Enjoy Enja
Rosalita is extremely well-tempered female. She is mid- to high-drive and has shown aptitude for a variety of sports including IGP/Schutzhund and Dock Diving. She has a social temperament, and easygoing and confident in public. She completed her BH-VT with SG/E across the board under USCA judge Stanley Craddock in September of 2024. We are pointing her towards her GPr1 in the Summer of 2025.
Rosalita is a neurological service dog, demonstrating her collected, balanced nature, but also possesses the drive for sport.
Hollandse Herder vom Holops Enjoy Enja “Enja”
Hips A2 (Good) / Elbows 0 (Normal)
DNA DM Clear / SDCA 1 and 2 Clear
BH-VT / IGP 1 / IGP 2 / GPr 3
BRN 52186 • FCI Full Registration • DOB 3/31/2020
Holland Tiesto van La Dobry x Hollandse Herder vom Holops Amazing Allana
Enja has a lovely, social temperament and does well with people, dogs and children. She is a high drive female who has shown great success on the IGP field in Germany. She has finished out her GPr3 title in the Czech Republic under trainer Monika Kysela and will be coming to the United States in May 2025. We are proud to be adding her to the very short list of FCI Dutch Shepherds here in the United States and are looking forward to her future litters.
Health Testing Pending
Helge de Coes’i x Hollandse Herder vom Holops Enjoy Enja
DOB 1/14/2024
Creed is a petite, well-conformed Dutch Shepherd male whose willingness to work and bubbly, social personality made him stand out from an early age. Recently placed with a handler from FEMA Ohio Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue, Creed is now on the path to becoming an operational K9, where his natural drive and confident demeanor are being put to meaningful use. His eagerness to please, environmental stability, and high trainability made him an ideal candidate for disaster response work.
We are proud to have retained breeding rights for Creed, as we believe his exceptional temperament, athleticism, and structure make him a valuable contributor to the future of our program.
SOLD - Pytka’s Made to Wave the Flag “Creed”
UPCOMING LITTERS
Pytka’s Jump a Little Lighter x TBA
Planned litter, fall 2025
Puppies will be mid- to high-drive, between 50 and 70 pounds. These puppies will excel in Personal Protection, PSA, Mondioring, IGP and more. Temperaments will be driven yet stable. No same-sex/handler/dog aggression in these lines.