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Characteristics, History, and Health
Stabyhoun
The Stabyhoun, or Stabij, is a breed that hails from the Netherlands, specifically from Friesland in the northern part of the country. Its history dates back to the 1800s, and it was primarily bred as a hunting and working dog. The breed's name comes from the Frisian words sta me bij, meaning"stand by me, which reflects their loyal nature, and ""houn,"" which means dog. This breed was a jack-of-all-trades type of dog, performing various functions such as pointing and retrieving game, catching moles and other small rodents, and being a watchdog and a companion. It is not as well-known as other Dutch breeds, primarily because it has been kept mostly in Friesland for many years. It's only since the late 20th century that this breed has begun to become better known outside its home region.
Main Info
- Origin
- Netherlands
- Alternate Names
- Stabij, Beike, Stabijhoun, Fryske Stabij
- Life Expectancy
- 13-15 years
- Average Male Height
- 19-21 inches
- Average Female Height
- 19-21 inches
- Average Male Weight
- 40-60 pounds
- Average Female Weight
- 40-60 pounds
- Coat Length
- Short
- Coat Type
- Smooth, Double
- Coat Colors
- Black & White, Brown & White, Orange & White
- Coat Pattern
- Spotted, Ticked, Roan
Genetic Predispositions and Health
Stabyhouns are known to be generally healthy dogs, but as a larger breed they are at risk for developing orthopedic problems, such as hip and elbow dysplasia. Genetic testing is recommended, including for the following specific conditions: von Willebrand Disease I (vWD Type 1), hyperuricosoria, degenerative myelopathy, and progressive rod-cone degeneration.
Personality and Behavior
Stabyhouns are known for their friendly, peaceful, and patient temperament. They are intelligent, eager to please, and can be trained quite easily. They are also typically good with children and other animals, making them excellent family pets. However, they have a strong hunting instinct, so they may not be suitable for homes with small pets unless properly socialized.
Stabyhouns are also known for their loyalty and affection towards their owners. They are active dogs and require regular exercise to keep them mentally and physically stimulated. Without sufficient exercise, they may become bored and possibly destructive.
Fun Facts
The Stabyhoun is one of the rarest dog breeds in the world. In 2013, it was estimated that there were only around 6,000 Stabyhouns worldwide, most of them in the Netherlands.
Stabyhouns are excellent swimmers and they love water. This makes them particularly good at water retrieving tasks.
They are also known to be good at tracking and they have been used as search and rescue dogs in some areas
References
https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/breed/stabyhoun
https://www.fci.be/en/nomenclature/races.aspx?search=Stabyhoun
https://www.fci.be/en/nomenclature/STABIJHOUN-222.html
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/stabyhoun/
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