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STABYHOUN |
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Like the Dutch Wetterhoun, the Stabyhoun originated in Friesland, where he has been known since the 1600s. The Spanish occupied the Netherlands until the mid-16th century, and there is speculation that they brought setting and couching dogs from other parts of Europe. These imports developed into the native spaniel/setters: the Drentse Patrijshond, the Kooiker-hondje, and the Stabyhoun in Holland, as well as the German Longhaired Pointer, Large Miin-sterlander and Small Miinsterlander of Germany. Frisian writers of the early 1800s describe the Stabyhoun in his present form. Similar dogs are depicted in early Dutch paintings. Exhibition of the breed didn't begin until the 1940s, and soon after, official recognition was granted by both the Dutch and international dog organizations. The "Bijke"
as he is affectionately called at home, is a quality pointing and
retrieving dog, doubling as a mole and polecat catcher, guard and children's
companion around the home. He is used in duck and pigeon hunting, calmly
staying down and unobserved until called upon to make the retrieves. Wounded
game is searched out and returned in his soft mouth. In field and woods,
he enthusiastically searches for game and is an excellent pointer. As
one owner says, "His nose never lies."
The larger specimens
have also been used as draft dogs, undoubtedly because of the breed's
calm and even temperament. The mole-catcher needed to be of a size to
be carried "in a basket on the back of a small man's bicycle,"
With children, even those not known to them, they are soft and gentle.
Its good temperament is described in brief by the Dutch Stabyhoun Wet-terhoun
Club as "A spontaneous Frysk . . . (that) wears its heart on its
sleeve."
The bushy
feathering of the tail and breeches, and the ear that is fringed at
the base but smooth haired at the tip, are distinctive breed characteristics.
The low-set tail is not docked.
To maintain
his good qualities, the Dutch Club has very strict breeding policies.
Before dogs can be bred, they must have hips radiographed free of dysplasia,
receive an excellent or very good rating at a conformation show, have
prior permission granted by the breed committee, and meet other restrictions
to insure the production of quality puppies. The Stabyhoun is promoted
by Dutch breeders, not only because of his character and abilities but
also because of their desire to protect a native breed with a long and
proud history.
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