The hind legs have profuse feathering down to the hocks but not below. The hair on the tail forms a rich plume. The Keeshond is to be exhibited in a natural state. Trimming is acceptable on the feet, pasterns, and hocks only, but not necessary. Whiskers may be trimmed.
Any additional trimming is to be severely penalized.
A part down the back. The Keeshond is a dramatically marked dog, a mixture of gray, black and cream, which may vary from light to dark. The length of black tips on the outer hair coat produces the color shadings that are a characteristic of the breed and must be present to some degree. Puppies are often less intensely marked. The undercoat is a very pale gray or cream, but never tawny.