Photo: Rolf Ryberg

Photo: Rolf Ryberg

The Stabyhoun is an active dog that likes to have something to do. That can be agility, field work or just a nice long walk with its owner and a tennis ball. Originally bred for mole catching, the soft mouth and stamina if the breed attracted hunters who wanted a gun dog with less intensity of the spaniels and other pointers. Intelligent, eager to please but also gentle and with a mind of its own; a dog like this responds best to positive association, reward-based training.

The Stabyhoun can work in the field

The Stabyhoun can work in the field

The Stabyhoun as a gun dog and expert blood/scent tracker

In Europe and Scandinavia, a number of people use the Stabyhoun as a gun dog. They are happy to spend hours in the field and will wait patiently and calmly for the shot. Historically used as both a pointer and soft-mouthed retriever for hunting ducks and rabbits, the Stabij also has an impressive nose and has become a successful at blood tracking. Click here to see Baike, a female Stabyhoun, track down a wounded rabbit 150 meters away.

The breed requires a lot of patient and consistent training, early exposure to game and the sound of the gun. It is a dog that needs ‘building up’ rather than ‘controlling’ at a young age. Do not begin with steadiness training or you could all too quickly find his enthusiasm gone for good.

About our trainers

Photo: Rolf Ryberg

Photo: Rolf Ryberg

Helen Withey is a full time dog trainer and Kennel Club Accredited Instructor. She is a member of the British Institute of Professional Dog Trainers and Course Instructor.

Aside from lecturing on canine Training and Behaviour, Helen and Stewart have working gun dogs and train Obedience, Agility and scent work.

For more information about training a Stabij and to discuss training plans for your puppy, call 01379 852499 and ask to speak to either Helen Withey or Stewart Barrett. You can also visit www.norfolkdogtraining.co.uk