Stabyhoun

The Stabyhoun is one of the rarest breeds in the world — a Frisian all-round farm and gun dog from the north of the Netherlands.

History

It has worked Frisian smallholdings for centuries as a pointer, retriever, mole-catcher and watchdog, and was for a long time crossed freely with the Wetterhoun until Dutch breeders separated the two in the 1940s. Numbers have never risen much above a few thousand worldwide, and Dutch breeding is coordinated closely to keep the gene pool viable.

Temperament

The breed is known for being gentle, patient and biddable, calm indoors and steady with children — an unusually easy dog for something bred to hunt.

Care and training

It needs substantial exercise and mental work. The medium coat sheds seasonally and needs regular brushing but little trimming. It trains readily and takes correction hard.

Health

Generally healthy, with hip dysplasia and a hereditary condition of the immune system tracked closely by the breed's coordinated programme. These are known patterns for the breed and a matter for a breeder and a vet; the measured facts are in the panel.