Breed Standards

The Netherlands.

Group 9 - Working Dog
,Section 9 : Continental Toy Spaniel and others
,Without working trial

The Markiesje is the youngest branch on the Dutch canine tree, but certainly not a “new” breed. It is the old Dutch “spioen” that was often portrayed in the 17 and 18th centuries. They kept their typical appearance through the ages, even though there is no record of any purposeful breeding. P.C.M.Toepoel included the Markiesje in his book “Onze Hond” in 1967. This led to a revived interest in this type of dog. He noted that although this was no pure breed, this type of dog was often found throughout the country, and could possibly now be reintroduced. Toepoels “Now” refers to the first half of the 20th century.

Mia van Woerden was the one who picked up on this idea (she had also worked on the reintroduction of the Dutch Smous) and started a search for examples of an “elegant spioen type” of dog. In the middle of the 1970’s she published a number of articles in periodicals, including an article in the Hondenwereld (Dog World) entitled “The forgotten Dutch breed – the black pearl”. She called on people to help rebuild this Dutch breed. Breeders associated with the reintroduction program and other interested parties formed the Breed Club for the Support of the Markiesje on 24 June 1979. The bitch Pom, owned by Mrs. M.van Ederen, would become the foundation of the breed. On May 1, 1999, the breed was acknowledged by the Dutch Kennel Club. The breed club set up an intensive breeding program, under the guidance of M. van Ederen and M. Westenbrink-Koning. This resulted in a homogeneous population of high quality and good quality specimens in sufficient numbers are now being bred.

The Markiesje is a finely built black toy spaniel; elegant and alert; with no signs of dwarfism. The body is slightly longer than it is high and fine-boned. The shiny coat and beautiful feathering give it its graceful appearance. Any form of exaggeration is undesired.

The body if measured from point of shoulder to point of tailbone is slightly longer than the height at the withers. (ratio of 10 to 9).
The chest should be well developed and reach to the elbow. The depth of chest should then be equal to the distance from chest to ground.
The length of the muzzle is equal to the length of the skull measured from the stop to the occiput.

The Markiesje is calm, intelligent and has a soft expression. It should never be nervous, timid or yippy, nor show any sign of aggression.

The head is fairly long and certainly in proportion to the body. Shows dry flowing lines.

Strong and dry, in balance to the body.

The tail itself, not the feathering, reaches to the hock. It is set so as to form one flowing line with the back. The tail is carried gaily but never too much above the line of the back. In rest it hangs in a slight curve.
Curled tails, tails carried over the back and kinked tails are not allowed.

Easy powerful movement, with good reach and driving action. Legs move parallel and straight, with growing speed inclined to single tracking.

Skin should not be loose.

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.