Tiffiney Bingham, age 13, of Jamestown, N.Y., for her question:

WHERE DID THE KEESHOND ORIGINATE?

Keeshond is a breed of nonsporting dog that has been popular for a long time. It was especially accepted in Holland, where it was a riverboat pet and watchdog. The breed is named for a dog that in the 18th Century became the symbol of the party of the middle classes in opposition to the Prince of Orange.

Probably of Arctic origin, the keeshond is related to the Chow Chow, Norwegian Elkhound, Pomeranian and Samoyed. It stands about 18 inches at the shoulder.

With changing political conditions and the advent of larger barges with room for larger dogs, the breed declined in popularity, but the popularity was revived in 1920.

Alert and intelligent, the keeshond is a perfect companion.

Distinctive features of the dog are the markings of "spectacles" around the eyes and the neck, shoulders and chest. The hind legs and tail are also profusely covered with long hair.