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Elke & Rakker’s 2016 UK Stabyhoun litter

On 13 October 2016, Rinske Hartsje v. Holwerda Sathe (Elke) gave birth to five beautiful girls and one lovely little boy. The father is Dutch stud dog, Rakker. On this website, you can follow the puppies as they grow up. All six puppies will be sold to families on the UK Stabyhoun Association waiting list. If...

Show Results: Stabyfest 2016

17 September 2016, Shropshire, UK  Judge: Angélique Plasman Photography: Patty Wenusch-Berkenbosch Marrondales Herryt Score: Excellent & Best of Breed Masculine dog – excellent proportions and looks. Masculine head in excellent proportions. Full scissor bite. Good expression. Excellent ears. Excellent front, body and back. Good croup. Good legs and feet. Bone fitting his body. Easy gate, good stride. Elbows...

Importing a puppy from abroad: UK family experiences

As a breeder, deciding whether to sell a puppy to a family in a foreign country is a big decision. Those who export to England face the added challenge of having to keep the puppy for 16 weeks until they are allowed to make the journey. On the plus side, families that are prepared to...

Field Trial system must recognise individual breed styles

In the history of the Stabyhoun we find dogs used successfully as hunting companions, and others living as all-round farm dogs with a knack for catching moles and other vermin. Today, the breed is internationally categorised in FCI Group 7 alongside other pointing dogs such as the Weimaraner, Munsterlander and Italian Spinone. But whether the Stabyhoun...

The sport of Barnhunt: the amazing nose of the Stabyhoun

The Stabyhoun is well-known for having an exceptional nose and keen sense of smell. Originally bred as vermin hunters and mole catchers in the Netherlands, these dogs are ideally suited to excel in a rather unusual activity which is now popular in America. Here, Barnhunt judge and Stabyhoun owner, Cynthia Pfister explains what it is all...
The Stabyhoun: Trained as a pointing dog

The Stabyhoun: Trained as a pointing dog

Written by Arne Havsø; owner of three Stabyhoun, hunter and experienced gun dog handler. Huntning dogs are born with a set of special skills: Search, Point, Chase and Kill. In my experience, dogs cannot learn these skills. They can only develop them. Until now I am yet to meet a Stabij that does not have these...

Stabyhoun and Wetterhoun in the UK

There are currently over 388 Stabyhoun and 12 Wetterhoun living in the UK and below is a list of those which you can arrange to go and visit to see if this really is the breed for you. Simply fill in our Meet a Stabyhoun form (and Wetterhoun) and we will facilitate an introduction. Please...

Raising a pup and then giving him up

With a philosophy of furthering the Stabyhoun population as a whole, Francis Otten from Kennel V. ‘t Hollandse Hout seeks out only the best homes for her pups. And this time, one of those just happened to be in England… In Spring 2013, we had our 6th litter and, as always, it was a wonderful experience. We founded our...

The cost of breeding a litter of Stabyhoun puppies

Breeding a litter of puppies can be a wonderful experience. Hard work, fun, challenging and sometimes a constant worry until they leave for their new homes at 8 weeks. One thing it is not, however, is cheap. To give future breeders and idea of the costs involved in having a litter of Stabyhoun puppies, we...

Diary of a Stabyhoun Dog Breeder

UK Stabyhoun Association members, Helen Withey, Janice Vittachi, Hannah Woods and Christina Savage share their experiences and tips on breeding with a Stabyhoun… Q: Why did you choose to breed? Helen: I was looking for a new challenge – having bred and worked Rottweilers to the gun for 30 years and then Tollers for 15 years....

My First 100 Days With a Stabyhoun Puppy

Whether you are an experienced dog owner or a first-timer, the first few months with any new puppy can be a real rollercoaster. Here, the owners of Hoover and Jelske’s seven puppies, share their ups and downs of owning a Stabyhoun. Mac Nothing could have prepared us for the joy and laughter Mac has brought...

Stabyhoun as a Reading Therapy Dog

Chris Sprague tells the story of how his Stabyhoun became a Reading Therapy Dog for children in America…. Ever since I was in my 20s, I knew I wanted to work with children. We all know how smart our Stabys are, so I really put Chance through his paces. When I retired from 25 years...

The Great British Stabyhoun Inventory

At our September event, Klaas Zonnebeld from Stabijhounkennel Fan it Heideheim and Gerrit V. D. Veen had travelled from the Netherlands to perform and teach us about the ‘inventory’. Now, Klaas explains why… We always love to see Stabijs and, in such a small breed, dogs in other countries are very important. In isolation, it...

Selling a Stabijhoun to the UK

If you are a breeder thinking about selling a puppy to England, we have tried to answer some of the most common questions you might have. If you want to speak to other breeders who have previously exported a Stabij to the UK, we will be happy to put you in touch with several who can share...

Rikje and Skipper’s litter of Stabyhoun puppies

On 23 November 2015, Aquila (Rikje) delivered a fabulous litter of 10 Stabyhoun puppies: 5 girls and 5 boys. The father is Danish stud dog, Trazzeltazz Chewing Gum of Atlas (Skipper) and this was his first litter. The mating was approved  by the NVSW. This is the 4th litter of Stabyhoun born in the UK – taking the...

The dog trainers’ view on the Stabyhoun

Don’t just take our word for it; below are some honest thoughts and observations of the dog trainers who have so far had the pleasure of working with a Stabyhoun in the UK. “The feedback from all instructors here who have worked with Emo is unanimous and enthusiastic: he is attentive and, without exception, has a very calm,...

Mieke and Abe’s litter 2015

On 12 November 2015, Minke v.’t Hondsdraf (Mieke) gave birth to four beautiful girls and three handsome boys – sired by stunning Dutch stud dog, Abe fan it Roekebosk. As always, the mating went ahead with the blessing of the breeding experts in the NVSW. You can follow the progress of the UK’s third litter of Stabyhoun puppies as...

First Stabyhoun in Scotland: Emo moves to Perth

With just 34 in the UK and 6,000 worldwide, Emo is one of the world’s rarest dogs and the first Stabyhoun in Scotland. Born in May in Manchester, he and his six brothers and sisters are part of a project to introduce the breed to the UK. Generally considered amongst one of the world’s rarest...

Jelske & Hoover’s puppies – week 8

That’s it – the end of one journey and the beginning of a new and wonderful one. The pups have flown the nest and joined seven wonderful new families across England and Scotland. It has been an exciting eight weeks and everything has gone to plan – from birth through socialisation, vet visits and departure....

Jelske & Hoover’s puppies – week 7

Just one week to go before their new families collect them. These are seven happy, healthy and very naughty puppies – ready to make their mark on a new family. They will be missed but also followed from a distance with great pleasure as they enter a new chapter in their lives. Birth———- Week 1———-...

Jelske & Hoover’s puppies – Week 1

Jelske and Hoover’s seven puppies are now exactly a week old; growing fast and doing really well. Birth———- Week 2———- Week 3———- Week 4———- Week 5———- Week 6———- Week 7———- MISC Arjen ♂ Weight: 836g     Blijke ♀ Weight: 900g     Ditske ♀ Weight: 872g     Emo ♂ Weight: 910g  Weight at 4 days...

Jelske & Hoover’s 2015 litter 1-3 weeks old

In May 2015, Jelske gave birth to seven puppies; four females and three males, including a very rare brown one. In these pictures from the whelping box and beyond, they are 0-3 weeks old… For full details of the litter, click here                        

Jelske & Hoover’s puppies – Just born

On 8 March 2015, Gaaske Jelske fan de Moaie Hôvingen successfully mated with Gysbert Jurre v. ‘t. Hollandse Hout. The mating was endorsed by the breed experts in the Dutch Stabyhoun Association (NVSW) – based on an evaluation of the dogs’ pedigree, health records and show conformation results. Exactly nine weeks later, on 10 May, Jelske gave birth to...

Breeder Rules

The Stabyhoun is a remarkable breed; bred most often by families and individuals who care deeply about its future, and who may or may not have much experience in the field. This is why the UK Stabyhoun Association provides comprehensive assistance throughout the process making sure breeders and new owners receive all the help and...

Teaching a Stabyhoun to work

By Brigitte Elsman When Floran was just a puppy, I went to puppy training with a lady called Willeke. It was she who told me about hunting training and the demonstration she gave with her dog left a big impression on me: I wanted to do that too! Together we attended hunting training of the...

One dog or two?

Dog Trainer and Behaviourist, Helen Withey on what to consider before introducing a second dog into your home. Do you think it would be a good idea for me to get another dog? This is a question I get asked often. The answer, however, is far from simple and depends in particular on the character...

Dog breeding: A leaf out of nature’s book

UKSA Vice President, Janice Vittachi sets out why she believes we could learn a thing or two from nature when breeding. We are all familiar with Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection: healthy, successful animals thrive and ultimately pass their genes on while unhealthy, unsuccessful and (let’s face it) ugly animals do not. In this...

Dog training: Best rewards and how to succeed

By James Carroll MSc, Dog Behaviourist and Trainer The crux of most dog training problems I see can be summed up in two sentences: Owner: “My dog will not do what he is asked to do.” Dog: “My owner does not make it worth my while to do the things he asks of me.” To...

An eye for health testing

Breeding with any animal carries a degree of risk and we are fooling ourselves if we think that testing and screening will one day eliminate all ails. However, where there is an identified risk of dogs passing on hereditary conditions, and where there is a tried and tested method of screening for that condition, it...

Family dog: 10 Good Reasons why all children should have a dog

Have you got children and are you thinking about getting a dog? Below are a number of reasons why that might be a wise decision – if you have the time, resources and commitment to care for it of course. Finding the right breed is essential. If you are an active family with a schedule...

Scent tracking with a Stabyhoun: the all-rounder

Having owned, trained and judged scent tracking dogs for more than two decades, Helga-Mari Tessem from Norway explains why the Stabyhoun has become her breed of choice… Originally the Stabyhoun was used as a combined watch, hunting and family dog. Today, most of them live as contented members of active families. The key is in...

What to feed your Stabyhoun

By Helen Withey, author of ‘A Dog Knows Best – the owner’s guide to healthy feeding’ I am often asked What is the best food to feed my dog? There is usually a simple answer: whatever you are happy with. But here are some things you might want to know… Probably the easiest way is...

Stabyhoun breeding: What to expect from a Breeders Day

Qualified Stabyhoun judge and Stabyhoun breeder, Angélique Plasman explains what all the fuss is about and points out why accepting your dog’s invitation to Holland is so important for the breed. In the 1940s the Stabyhoun breed was on the verge of extinction because the area it originated from became less secluded and people began...

Life with Labradors and a Stabyhoun

In October 2013, Claire Overvoorde from Waterlooville became the proud owner of a Stabyhoun puppy from the first UK litter. Here she gives us her take on the breed compared with the good old Labrador. Our little bundle of black and white fun, Ninke joined our three Labradors Arnie, Rocky and Gracie, and our two...

Breeding one of the world’s rarest dogs

Following two 20-hour matchmaking round-trips to Maryland, Judy Wiltsek and her family could soon be welcoming a litter of extremely rare Stabyhoun puppies to her home in Mill Spring, North Carolina. Widely considered amongst the world’s top ten rarest dog breeds, the Stabyhoun has a population numbering just 6,000 globally. Now, small animal vet and dog trainer, Judy, is determined to increase the population...

Being a Stabyhoun visiting home

If you are reading this then you are already the lucky owner of a Stabyhoun. Your first step on that journey was most likely a visit with a Stabyhoun in your area, arranged by the UKSA. The chance to see and interact with a Stabyhoun is absolutely essential for people who think that this might...

FCI International Breeding Strategies

1. Introduction The goal in dog breeding is functionally healthy dogs with a construction and mentality typical to the breed, dogs that can live a long and happy life for the benefit and pleasure of the owner and the society as well as the dog itself. Breeding should be carried out in such a manner that it...

UK Stabyhoun litter – 6 weeks old

Amazing how fast they grow. Here they are on 6 October – nearly 6 weeks old and a complete delight. 3 girls, 7 boys and 1 very proud mum. Janneke    Kike    Laanke    Mork    Ninke    Ouke    Pylgrim    Rembrandt    Sander    Tynke  

Best family dog breeds: how to choose a puppy

You have probably landed on this page because you are looking for the perfect family dog. If you have young children, other animals such as cats or rabbits, then making the right choice is even more important. Some people will say that any dog breed has the potential to make a great family pet. That...

Reliable agility dog – meet the Stabyhoun

I was born in Denmark and my very first memory of a dog was soft, gentle and black and white. She was called Blijke and was the Stabyhoun of a Danish/Dutch family who became very close friends. Little did I know that this was a breed counting only a few thousand members, but she had...

UK Stabyhoun litter 2013

Here they are; Rikje’s magnificent 10 born on 27 August! Click here to see them at 6 weeks old   Janneke   Kike    Birth weight: 342g    Birth weight: 332g   Laanke   Mork        Birth weight: 327g    Birth weight: 332g   Ninke   Ouke        Birth weight: 375g...

The Stabyhoun; devoted family dog and reliable worker

It is not for nothing its name translates to ‘Stand by Me’. The Stabyhoun is a loving, loyal and devoted companion with a temperament that means they most often live in contented harmony at the centre of the family alongside children and other household pets. Defined as spaniel-type pointer by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI),...

Official Stabyhoun breed standard

UTILIZATION: Pointing dog. The Stabijhoun is a very versatile dog. He is an all-round hunting dog and has a good reputation as a mole and polecat catcher. FCI-CLASSIFICATION: Group 7 Pointing Hunting Dogs. Section 1.2 Continental Pointing Dogs. Spaniel type. With working trial. BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY The Stabijhoun is related to the Drentsche Patrijshond and...

The Stabyhoun (Frisian pointer): a standing dog

Klaas Zonnebeld from Stabijhounkennel Fan it Heidehiem is one of the people who works with his Stabyhoun in the field. Here he describes a recent journey to Sweden to see whether his gun dog, Baike would live up to its description as a Pointer. According to the FCI and the Dutch kennel-club our Stabij is a...

Neutering

Historically, vets in the UK have been keen to encourage early neutering of both male and female dogs for health reasons and to prevent unwanted breeding. Recent research, however, is suggesting that allowing your dog to fully mature before having them neutered might be the best option. Read more by following this link… And this one…

Vaccinations

The following is adapted from a report produced by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA), coupled with expert views and modern research. When it comes to the health and safety of your Stabyhoun puppy, the choice and responsibility is ultimately yours and that of the breeder’s. So read, learn, ask around as much as you can and...

Conditions we monitor

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) This is a hereditary heart defect which can be detected in very young puppies – usually around 5-6 weeks of age. As such, breeders are able to make sure that the dogs are treated very early on and of course buyers can be informed. However it is one of the main...

Diet: What to feed your Stabyhoun

What you feed your dog has a huge impact on its health, energy and well-being. For Stabyhouns we highly recommend feeding a diet of raw meat, bones and vegetables (BARF). Don’t worry if mincing and mixing isn’t quite your thing. These days, a BARF diet is as easy to buy and feed as any other...

Selecting your puppy

Deciding which puppy gets which home is something breeders spend a lot of time on. At first, many new dog owners ask if they can choose their own puppy. The answer is usually that the breeder will work with you in deciding which puppy is right for your family and ambitions for the dog. The...