Stabyhoun

intelligent / loving / responsive

Foundation Stock Service >>

Average sizes and life
expectancy of the breed.

Height

19-21 inches

Weight

40-60 pounds

Life Expectancy

13-15 years

Breed Traits & Characteristics

Affectionate With Family

Independent Lovey-Dovey
100% 100%

How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.

Good With Young Children

Not Recommended Good With Children
100% 100%

A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.

GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS

Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs
80% 80%

How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.

Shedding Level

No Shedding Hair Everywhere
60% 60%

How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.

Coat Grooming Frequency

Monthly Daily
20% 20%

How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.

Drooling Level

Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
40% 40%

How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.

Coat Type

Corded

Curly

Double

Hairless

Rough

Silky

Smooth

Wavy

Wiry

Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.

Coat Length

Long

Medium

Short

How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.

Openness To Strangers

Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
60% 60%

How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!

Playfulness Level

Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
60% 60%

How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.

Watchdog/Protective Nature

What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
60% 60%

A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.

Adaptability Level

Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
60% 60%

How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.

Trainability Level

Self-Willed Eager to Please
100% 100%

How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!

Energy Level

Couch Potato High Energy
80% 80%

The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.

Barking Level

Only To Alert Very Vocal
60% 60%

How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.

Mental Stimulation Needs

Happy to Lounge Needs a Job or Activity
80% 80%

How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.

Affectionate With Family

Independent Lovey-Dovey
100% 100%

How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.

Good With Young Children

Not Recommended Good With Children
100% 100%

A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.

GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS

Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs
80% 80%

How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.

Shedding Level

No Shedding Hair Everywhere
60% 60%

How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.

Coat Grooming Frequency

Monthly Daily
20% 20%

How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.

Drooling Level

Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
40% 40%

How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.

Coat Type

Corded

Curly

Double

Hairless

Rough

Silky

Smooth

Wavy

Wiry

Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.

Coat Length

Long

Medium

Short

How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.

Openness To Strangers

Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
60% 60%

How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!

Playfulness Level

Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
60% 60%

How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.

Watchdog/Protective Nature

What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
60% 60%

A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.

Adaptability Level

Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
60% 60%

How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.

Trainability Level

Self-Willed Eager to Please
100% 100%

How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!

Energy Level

Couch Potato High Energy
80% 80%

The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.

Barking Level

Only To Alert Very Vocal
60% 60%

How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.

Mental Stimulation Needs

Happy to Lounge Needs a Job or Activity
80% 80%

How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.

About the Breed

Although they can be stubborn at times, Stabyhouns are docile, loving, and patient dogs who adore their family and want to please them. He is a soft-mouthed retriever as well as a pointer, making him ideal for hunting ducks and upland birds. He is an excellent retriever, and one of his strong suits is water work. He has keen eyesight, a keen sense of smell, and aptitude, and works quickly and efficiently. Farmers purposefully bred the Stabyhoun’s independence because they desired a dog that could hunt moles and rabbits on its own. That proclivity can still be seen today, so you shouldn’t be surprised if he hunts for prey on his own and, for example, digs in the garden.

A Staby, when properly trained, is a kind dog and a lifelong friend. Stabys are also quite curious. Always keep an eye on what a Stabyhoun is up to because their inquisitive nature can rapidly get them into danger. You will frequently be disappointed if you expect your Staby to sit quietly if something happens. Although Stabys make a lot of noise when anything is wrong or to alarm their owner, they usually urge the owner to examine further before accepting that everything is okay. Most Stabys will need to double-check that there are no “surprises” in store before they can relax again. This breed originated in the Netherlands and is a utilitarian and solidly built pointing dog.

Stabyhouns are predominantly black and white. The brown and white Stabyhoun can be found in the Netherlands, however, the orange and white Stabyhoun is almost extinct. The Staby’s build is such that it is longer than it is tall, and similarly, the head is longer than it is wide. The feathering on the Staby’s chest, collar, forelegs, breeches, and tail create the impression that he has long hair, yet his coat is not very lengthy. The Stabyhoun is regarded as an “all-around” dog, capable of hunting, retrieving, and pointing. Because of their size and friendly nature, they make excellent family dogs.

What To Expect When Caring For a Stabyhoun

Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.

Health

Despite its limited number, the Stabyhoun is a highly healthy breed. The ASA and the NVSW work tirelessly to preserve it that way. Responsible breeders examine their stock for epilepsy, hip and elbow dysplasia, patent ductus arteriosus, and cerebral dysfunction. The ASA's breeding program aims to limit these incidences as much as possible, but it will be difficult because the causes are not always evident or strictly genetic.

Grooming

Grooming requirements for a Stabyhoun are almost non-existent. Unless he is neutered, you can handle any necessary hair trimming yourself. A neutered dog also has a "castrated coat," which means the undercoat is expanding and may require additional care. Otherwise, Stabyhoun's medium-length coat is self-cleaning, which means dirt slips off on its own when the coat is dry. He's clean again after a quick brush through it to eliminate the remaining traces of sand. This also means that he only receives baths on rare occasions. Even if he is quite dirty, a simple rinse or swim in a clean pool is generally adequate. The shampoo is only necessary if he has been rolling in something stinky; in that case, use a special, gentle shampoo.

Exercise

Daily exercise is essential for your Staby's mental and physical well-being. They do not require more than an hour of activity per day. Following that, they are pleased to sleep and rest peacefully during the day. Perhaps more importantly, the Staby requires a mental struggle. Stabys must serve a purpose in everyday life, and preference should be given to something that provides diversity. Agility, hunting, scent training, and lure coursing can all be beneficial to your Staby. A busy dog is a good dog.

Training

Stabys are self-motivated individuals that learn quickly. The explanation for this is that the Staby had to operate alone to eradicate pests, therefore having a true "thinker" suited the species well at a time when there were few outside influences and little traffic. The Staby responds well to positive and gentle training and is eager to please. Too much pressure is never a good thing, and a good coach is essential. Staby enjoys working, but his family must provide a fair and consistent approach to his education, which is critical for a peaceful, pleasant, and diverse education. With the Staby, a tough approach is futile. He will stop working and will no longer do his obligations voluntarily.

Nutrition

The Stabyhoun should thrive on high-quality dog food, whether purchased commercially or cooked at home with your veterinarian's supervision and consent. Any diet should be tailored to the age of the dog (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are prone to becoming overweight, so keep an eye on your dog's calorie intake and weight level. Treats can be a valuable training aid, but feeding too much can lead to obesity. Discover which human foods are suitable for dogs and which are not. If you have any concerns regarding your dog's weight or diet, consult with your veterinarian. At all times, clean, fresh water should be available.

History

The Stabyhoun, which is native to the Netherlands, is linked to the Drentsche Patrijshond and the Heidewachtel. The name Stabyhoun is derived from the phrases sta mij bij, which means “stand by me,” while houn is the Frisian word for dog and is pronounced, “hoon.”

The Stabyhoun we know today bears striking resemblances to canines seen in 17th-century paintings. Take, for example, the works of well-known Dutch artist Jan Steen. The Stabyhoun and another breed, the Wetterhoun, developed in the Frisian forest area of the Netherlands. Stabyhoun and Wetterhoun were regularly crossbred with each other in the early twentieth century, threatening the unique types of each. In 1938, a group of eager members of the Kynologenclub Friesland began purifying the two breeds once more, and both breeds were formally recognized in 1942. Important players in this process included: J. Bos, and T. B. van Dijk. de Graaf, as well as W. Hoeksema.

The first standard, dated February 10, 1944, was issued. The Dutch Association for Staby and Wetterhounen (NVSW) was founded in 1947 with the purpose of representing the interests of Frisian breeds.

In 1994, the first Stabyhoun litter was born in the United States. The Stabyhoun has a global population of over 7,000 dogs as of 2017. In addition to his native Netherlands, his fame has risen across most of Europe and North America, including Belgium, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, the United States, and the United Kingdom.