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Frisian Water Dog (Wetterhoun)
Holanda FCI 221 . Water Dogs

Perro de Agua Frisón

The Frisian Water Dog is - virtually- unknown outside the Netherlands.

Content

History

The ancestors of Frisian Water Dog also called Wetterhoun they were already bred as farm dogs in the Middle Ages. Served as a watchdog, which also kept vermin away.

Wetter is the Friesian word for water, so the Wetterhoun is a spaniel in the classical sense.

The beginning of the ancestral chain was probably made by the Portuguese Water Dog and it is also said that the Curly-coated Retriever belongs to the direct ancestors of Wetterhoun, from them he surely inherited his curly fur. The second Frisian breed, the Stabyhoun, is closely related to the Wetterhoun.

Over the years 50, the Frisian Water Dog it was almost extinct. The rescue was carried out by a Friesian woman, in her youth she owned a Frisian Water Dog, who committed to conservation. Through an advertisement in the newspaper, looked for the Wetterhouns alive and received some letters from local farmers. From these dogs the current population was built. There are currently some 800 dogs, most of which are in the Netherlands.

The FCI includes the Wetterhoun in the Group 8, section 3, standard number 221 (Water Dogs).

Physical characteristics

The Frisian Water Dog, originally from the Netherlands, it is a dog of normal proportions. It is of powerful constitution, stocky and square, but without being plump or heavy.

Ideally, males should reach a shoulder height of 59 cm and the females of 55 cm.. The weight must be proportional to the dog and be between 15 and 25 kg.

Skin is tight, without wrinkles, double chin and hanging lips. Firm, strong hair is thickly curled, except on the head and limbs. Finer tuft of hair curls give the dog an almost plush, woolly look, but this turns out to be a fallacy when touched, as the fur is rough and greasy to the touch, due to its origin as a spaniel.

The Wetterhouns are solid black or brown in color, or black or brown with white markings. Marks may be stained or molded.

The tail is worn curled over the back.

Life expectancy

an average of 9 to 15 years.

Character and skills

The Frisian Water Dog is a quiet dog, but with a stubborn character. He is reserved with strangers and a good watchdog. As with many breeds, it is easy to train, but it requires constancy, sensitivity and know-how. Get bored quickly with repetitive exercises, showing joy in lessons that excite you. Among them are recovery, exploration and digging.

Utility

The Wetterhoun was originally bred to hunt otters and polecats, but it was also used to hunt moles, since their skins were used as merchandise around 1900. If the Wetterhouns they were of strong stature, they were also used as carriage dogs. Even today, are used for the maintenance of levees, where they catch muskrats, among other things.

In the news, they are mainly used as yard and guard dogs.

Characteristics "Frisian Water Dog (Wetterhoun)"

Coexistence is important that you have with your new friend. Before considering the acquisition of a dog of the breed "Frisian Water Dog (Wetterhoun)" you know certain factors. Not all breeds of dogs are apt to live in an apartment, you must take into account his character, their need for exercise, their interaction with other pets, their care and if you have small children, their level of tolerance towards them.

Adaptation ⓘ

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friendly dog ​​ⓘ

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hair loss ⓘ

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Affection level ⓘ

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Need for exercise ⓘ

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Social need ⓘ

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Home ⓘ

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Toilet ⓘ

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Friendly with strangers ⓘ

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barking ⓘ

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Health ⓘ

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Territorial ⓘ

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Cat friendly ⓘ

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Intelligence ⓘ

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Versatility ⓘ

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Child friendly ⓘ

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Surveillance ⓘ

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joy ⓘ

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Images "Frisian Water Dog (Wetterhoun)"

Frisian Water Dog
Frisian Water Dog (Wetterhoun) at the World Dog Show in Poznań by Pleple2000, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Frisian Water Dog

Wetterhoun, Frisian Water Dog, FCI recognized breed (FCI No. 221) by 23things for museums, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Videos "Frisian Water Dog (Wetterhoun)"

Promotion video Wetterhoun English
Promotion video Wetterhoun English
Pedigree dog of the week Wetterhoun
Rashond van de week Wetterhoun

Type and recognitions:

  • FCI CLASSIFICATION: 221
  • Group 8: Retrievers - Flushing Dogs - Water Dogs
  • Section 3: Water Dogs. With working trial.

Federations:

  • FCI – Group 8: Retrievers - Flushing Dogs - Water Dogs – Section 3: Water Dogs
  • UKCGun Dogs


FCI breed standard "Frisian Water Dog (Wetterhoun)"

FCIFCI - Frisian Water Dog (Wetterhoun)
Dog

Alternative names:

1. Wetterhoun, Otterhoun (English).
2. Wetterhoun (French).
3. Wetterhoun (German).
4. (em alemão: wetterhoun) (Portuguese).
5. Spaniel holandés, Wetterhoun (español).

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