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Stabyhoun
| Other Names | Beike, Stabij, Friese Stabij, Frisian Pointer, Frisian Pointing Dog, Stabijhoun, Frisian Pointing Dog, Dutch Stabyhoun |
| Nicknames | Staby |
| Country of Origin | Netherlands |
| Weight | 40 - 55 lbs. (18 - 25 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | 19 - 21 in. (49 - 53 cm) |
| Coat | Long and smooth. |
| Colour | Most Stabyhouns have a black and white coloured coat. Brown and white Stabyhouns are less common, but may be seen in the Netherlands, while the orange and white coated Stabyhouns are becoming increasingly rare. Spotting and/or roan in the white are acceptable, but tricolour is considered a fault. |
| Litter Size | 4 - 8 puppies |
| Life Span | 13 - 14 years |
| Origin & History | The Stabyhoun is found in historic literature from Joost Halbertsma, Waling Dijkstra and Nynke fan Hichtum dating back to the early 1800s. In earlier days it was used for hunting foxes, small game, and birds. While on farms, Stabyhouns exhibited fine skills as a mole-catcher. During the hunting season, it was used as an all-round gundog. Today, the Stabyhoun remains a competent hunter, although British and German breeds are more popular. Renowned for its peaceful disposition, the Stabij is a soft-mouthed retriever, a fine pointer, excellent tracker, and a good watchdog. It has also been used by dairy farmers as a dog-carts. Historically, these dogs were nearly exclusively owned by farmers, whose limited financial means dictated the need for a single farm dog capable as an all-around working, hunting, guard and house breed. The breed's appearance and purpose have not changed. In order to optimize the working traits of the working farm dog in earlier days the Stabyhoun was often mixed with another old and rare Friesian breed, the Wetterhoun. However, in 1942 Stabij owners organized for official breed recognition and crossbreeding between the Stabyhoun and Wetterhoun was halted in an effort to prevent the extinction of the increasingly rare breeds. In recent years some Dutch farmers started to crossbreed the Stabyhoun with the Labrador as these breeds are similar in physique, temperament and behavior. The crossbred puppies mostly resemble Labradors. Unlike Labradors, the crossbred dogs may have tuxedo markings and they may be more stubborn and slightly smaller than Labradors. Today the Stabyhoun enjoys a small but thoroughly devoted following among Dutch sportsmen and homeowners. Its numbers are increasing slowly but steadily. This breed has caught the attention of dog lovers in the United Kingdom, Scandinavia and North America. The working Stabyhoun; Historically, the Stabyhoun was an all-around working dog for a farmer that might be only able to afford and support a single dog that was required to be an all-around able worker that shared the home. Apart from hunting, these dogs were used to guard property and to catch rats, moles, and bunzing. This versatility is still reflected in the breed today. It is also this lack of a working specialization, the Stabij's generalization an all-rounder but not an expert at any particular skill that caused the breed to not be as sought-after traditionally. The Stabyhoun is both a soft-mouthed retriever and a pointer with a strong tracking nose. It works very well on water, enduring the coldest rivers and lakes, and is easily controlled over greater distances. It brings in any game alive and undamaged. Although of medium build and size, it is a powerful and sturdy dog, and larger Stabyhouns of the past were occasionally used as draught animals to pull dog-carts . The Stabyhoun is now used in almost all types of dog trials and activities: dog agility, obedience, hunting, triathlon, endurance, frisbee, and others. |
| Personality | Devoted, soft and gentle as a pet, very intelligent, obedient, the Stabyhoun is a good guard dog, not vicious or snappy. It is highly trainable, but needs consistency. The Stabyhoun has a nice temperament, is friendly, tolerant and willing to please. A characteristic of the Stabyhoun is its great tolerance toward children. Animals that belong to the household are treated in a friendly way. This dog has a laid-back temperament and it loves to play with children. It makes a good watchdogs. It is very affectionate and many of these dogs love to "cuddle." Many Dutch owners use its natural retrieving abilities for playing with balls, because it will go into the water and find the balls and then bring them back. This dog is a wonderful pet to have around the house and is just perfect for life in Holland with its many waterways and parks. While it makes a good watchdog, it is friendly and amiable. It is also a very powerful dog and larger ones can pull sleds in the winter. By its nature, the Stabyhoun is an obedient, peaceful, kind and patient dog that is deeply fond of its family, and it likes to please its owner. Social and quiet, friendly. Socialize well to prevent your Stabyhoun from becoming reserved with strangers. The Stabyhoun is utmost a wonderful family and companion dog. This breed likes to have a job to do, because of its great intelligence, speed, flexibility and eagerness to please, it is ideally suited as an agility dog (one owner prefers her Stabyhoun over her Champion Agility Sheltie!); they do Flyball, they love to retrieve tennis balls, they show off at obedience class, etc. These dogs are keen and active dogs outside, but calm dogs inside of the house, as long as they get a moderate amount of daily exercise. The origin of the breed is in hunting, and while they are still used for that purpose, they are nowadays foremost used as family companions. Those who have hunted with the breed have stated, "The Stabyhoun can be taken out in the field for hours. It will wait steadily and calmly for the shot. The Stabyhoun is both a soft-mouthed retriever and a pointer that is particularly useful for hunting ducks. It is a fine retriever, and water work is one of its strongest sides. It marks well and is easily controlled over greater distances and is an eager searcher. It brings in any game alive and undamaged. When catching moles and other vermin these animals are killed through breaking the neck, but the furs remain undamaged. It is an excellent swimmer that can handle cold water and loves to please its owner." Today the Stabyhoun is ultimately a wonderful companion and family dog, but it also enjoys a moderate, though very devoted fancy among Dutch sportsmen. Its numbers are increasing slowly but steadily. Since the dog used to be owned by farmers who were generally poor, it was very welcome to have such an all-rounder, because often only one dog could be afforded. The dog had to be tolerant toward the other livestock on the farm, friendly with the children and protective about the premises, without being vicious or snappy. Be sure you are this dog's firm, confident, consistent pack leader to prevent it from becoming stubborn and willful. |
Care Requirements
| Health | The Stabyhoun is a healthy dog. In the past the breed had some problems, but careful breeding expelled most problems. The Dutch have been trying to breed out hip dysphasia for many years and no one in that club is allowed to breed their dog if it has any signs of hip problems. |
| Grooming | The coat is long and sleek and has a natural, fresh smell. The dog doesn't need much grooming. It usually keeps its body very clean. The Stabyhoun does not need any special care apart from proper brushing. All you have to do is keep tangles out. These dogs molt (shed) usually twice a year, and thorough brushing helps the dog to finish its molt in about two weeks. Washing should be avoided when possible, because it affects the natural sleekness of the coat. The coat by its nature will lose dirt very quickly. After a swim the dog is usually quite clean and dry in a couple of hours. |
| Exercise | This breed needs a fair level of exercise and loves to play with children. The dogs are used in almost all imaginable forms of training. Agility, obedience, hunting, triathlon, endurance, Frisbee: a healthy Stabyhoun has no physical problems with these activities. These dogs should be walked daily and have a large, fenced-in yard they can play in. |
| Other Considerations | This breed will do best with a medium or large yard. These dogs are calm indoors if sufficiently exercised. They will do well in cold climates as long as they have adequate shelter. Breeding; Due to the limited size of the Stabyhoun population, careful breeding is essential. The Dutch Association for Stabyhouns and Wetterhouns has breed advisors. In an effort to prevent inbreeding, the Association keeps breeding at a minimum and carefully considers prospective matings. Despite there being small populations of Stabyhouns outside of the Netherlands, the breeding stock is small and the greatest genetic diversity remains in the Netherlands. Since Stabyhouns are viewed as part of the Dutch national heritage, breeders keep puppy and dog prices affordable; Stabyhoun breeders are commonly hobby breeders as a result. The average Stabyhoun litter size is seven. Bitches are limited to delivering no more than 5 litters in their lifetime. The bitch may only reproduce when she reaches a minimum age of 18 months, and cannot breed once she reaches the age of 9. At least one year should elapse between litters. The hips of prospective mating pair have to be x-rayed (not over FCI-C result), and the match between bitch and stud has to be approved by the Dutch Club's breeding committee. A stud must be 18 months of age or older to breed, and it must have with the same show and hip results as its female mate. A single pair of Stabyhouns may not produce over 8 litters in their lifetime. Stud dogs should not sire more than three litters a year. Stud-owners are expected to appear on breeders' days so that the dogs may be evaluated and paired with potentially suitable mates. |
