Additonal Breeds Starting
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COUNTRY:
Netherlands
WEIGHT: 33-44 pounds
HEIGHT: 211/2-231/4
inches
COAT: Thick, tight
curls all over, except
smooth on the head, bottom
third of the ears and
the legs
COLOR: Liver, liver/white,
black, or
black/white; ticking or
roaning may appear in the
white
OTHER NAMES: Otterhoun,
Dutch Spaniel
REGISTRY: FCI
GROUP: Gun Dog
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Friesland is a county in the northwestern corner of the Netherlands. The
Frisian people have their own culture and language, and have developed two
of the native Dutch hunting dogs. The Wetterhoun is one of these distinctive
Frisian breeds. The breed's history goes back to the 1600s, or earlier,
although their exact origin is unknown. It is surely related to the generic
water dogs of Europe, but the tail curled over the back suggests a possible
cross to dogs of Nordic type.
Originally,
the Wetterhoun (literal translation from the Frisian is water dog) was
used to find and kill otters in the lake district of his homeland. For
this chore he needed to be tough and fearless. There is litde present-day
need for an otter dog, but the Wetterhoun is also an excellent close-working
flushing dog. He works like many of our modern land spaniels, searching
for game and indicating its presence. After the shot, he retrieves well
from land or water. Breeders say that while hunting in heavy cover the
Wetterhoun "goes like a tank." They love the water and happily
swim even in freezing weather. When thwarted in hunting, a pet may turn
to stalking moles and mice.
The breed is
quite distinctive as a gun dog in both appearance and character. He has
a rather wide and powerful body with a strong head and a tightly spiraled
tail. The coat must never be woolly, the curls correctly being large bundles
of hair with an almost greasy, waterproof texture. An admirer says, "It
is a go-getter and goes up to the fish-otter without any fear at all,
just like it approaches the polecat and the wildcat as if they didn't
bite at all. The Musks even fear the Wetterhoun. ..."
The Dutch
say these dogs are much like the Frisian people, obstinate but, once
their hearts are won, loveable and loyal. His standard calls for him
to be of stubborn character and reserved with strangers. The Dutch Wetterhoun
Club describes the breed: "A cautious Frysk with a heart of gold."
While quiet in the home, loving with their people and excellent with
children, they do need plenty of daily exercise for their energies.
Their reticent nature also makes them natural watchdogs. With their
masters, they learn quickly and take well to training, as they love
their work.
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