Wetterhoun
- Group 8: Retrievers - Flushing Dogs - Water Dogs
- Section 3 Water Dogs
- With working trial
Netherlands
Wetterhond
Male: ideally 59 cm Bitch: ideal 55 cm
No details
The Wetterhoun or Frisian Water Dog is one of the FCI (No. 221, Gr. 8, sec 3) recognized Dutch breed.
Origin and History
The Wetterhoun is a water dog in the classical sense. "Weather" is the Frisian word for water. The Wetterhoun similar dogs were already held in the Middle Ages as a farm dog. Here he served as a guard dog, who also kept away the bugs from the yard. He probably goes back to much older water dogs, beginning with the Portuguese water dog. Another line of ancestors shows to Eastern Europe, the Curly Coated Retriever is among his direct ancestors. Both declares his curly, persianerartige fur. Closest relationship is the second Friesian breed the Stabyhoun.
The Wetterhoun was almost extinct in the 50s of the 20th century. A Friesin who in their youth had a Wetterhoun, sought in a newspaper advertisement surviving Wetterhouns. This causes some farmers reported that also had mixed blood from Stabijs and weather in part. For these dogs, the present population was rebuilt. Currently, there are about 800 dogs that live mostly in the Netherlands around the world. About 80 dogs there are in Finland, 40 in France and 10 in Germany. For breeding the Nederlandse Vereiniging voor Stabij s Wetterhoun is responsible. The club wants to maintain the tradition and therefore respects strongly suggests that breeding regulations are complied with.
Description
The Conspicuous at up to 59 cm large Wetterhoun is his persianerartig curly fur, the hair is semi long and the curls are very close to the body, it is slightly oily, so excellently suitable for perennial work in the water. The most common colors are black and white and brown and white. The head is strong and the ears are on the side of the head. The tail is curled, carried erect on the back. The Wetterhoun should be built strong and straight angled ( square).
Nature
. Extremely robust, dog with a " unique character " he is with strangers reserved, friendly and reliable against her caregivers, the character is described in the German literature as stubborn and headstrong, this error is due to the translation of the Dutch word " stoer "meaning here brave and resilient.
He is too good to educate, but it requires a consistent approach and a sensibility for this breed. Repetitions bore him fast, but he is very eager to work with things that inspire him ( fetch, search, browse ). The Wetterhoun is very alert.
Use
To hunt, he was also trained on otters and polecats. In 1900 Wetterhouns were also used for mole hunt. Moleskin was then a commodity. Dogs with strong stature were used as carts dogs. Even today, he sometimes has the task to catch muskrats in the dike maintenance. But mostly he continues to serve as court and guard dog.