Wetterhoun

The Wetterhoun is the Frisian water dog — a curly-coated retriever bred to hunt otter in the canals and lakes of the northern Netherlands.

History

It has worked Frisian waterways for centuries, originally after otter, which were treated as vermin because of what they did to fish stocks, and later as a general farm guard and gun dog. It was standardised in the 1940s alongside the Stabyhoun, with which it had been interbred, and remains rare outside the Netherlands.

Temperament

The breed is known for being tough, independent and reserved with strangers — the otter work rewarded a dog that would decide for itself — and loyal and steady with its own household.

Care and training

It needs substantial exercise and water. The coarse curly coat is water-repellent and should not be brushed out or over-bathed. Training needs patience; this is not a biddable retriever.

Health

Generally robust, with hip dysplasia among the known tendencies and a small gene pool as the standing caution. These are patterns for the breed rather than a forecast for one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.