Wetterhoun
Temperament:
Wetter" means "water" in Frisian. The Wetterhoun is also known as the Frisian water dog. This old and rare dog breed belongs to FCI Group 8, which includes retrieving, rummaging and water dogs. The Wetterhoun is not an easy dog. But it is loyal, affectionate and very interesting.
Characteristics
The Wetterhoun reaches a shoulder height of 59 cm (male) or 55 cm (female). Its build is square. It is strongly built. His skull is broad. The jaw is strong. The chest is wider than deep. The forelegs are relatively wide apart. The tail is long and curled. It is carried over the back. The ears lie close to the head. The eyes are slightly slanted.
The coat is striking. The coat is rather coarse and of medium length. The coat is curly. It is only smooth on the lower third of the ears and on the legs. The coat looks a little like Persian fur. It is slightly greasy to the touch. It is usually black and white or brown and white. But there are also many other colors.
The Wetterhoun is reserved towards strangers. He is friendly and reliable towards his own people. He is very hard-working. He gets bored quickly. He is very attached to his caregiver. He needs consistency and empathy when being trained.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
When choosing food, make sure that it contains high-quality ingredients, is balanced and meets your dog's requirements. Age, size or weight, activity and health status play an important role. You should follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the amount of food.
Treats should only be fed in moderation and deducted from the basic diet to avoid obesity.
Puppies can be fed 4-6 times a day. The number of meals should be gradually reduced to 2 per day until the dog is fully grown. A rest period should be observed after meals.
Fresh drinking water should be available at all times.
Health & Care
The Wetterhoun is a robust dog. That's why it doesn't need much grooming. Of course, you should check the paws and ears regularly. The coat must be brushed regularly. During the shedding period, it needs to be brushed daily.
As with all dogs, teeth need special care. Give your Wetterhoun chewing bones to eat and clean his teeth with a dog toothbrush if necessary.
The Wetterhoun needs physical and mental challenges. He loves to learn and likes to be kept busy. He is therefore easy to train. But he gets bored quickly.
You should spend a lot of time with him and not leave him alone for too long. Give him tasks that he enjoys. Chasing, guarding, retrieving and sniffing are his favorite activities. He is persistent and efficient.
Suitable accessories
The Wetterhoun is undemanding when it comes to equipment. Like any dog, it needs a food bowl and a water bowl. It needs a lead and a collar or harness. A drag line can be useful for training.
You will definitely need a good dog brush that is suitable for your Wetterhound's coarse, curly coat. Your dog will also need a dog basket or dog mat as a retreat, tick tweezers, claw clippers, a toothbrush and toothpaste for dogs, a transport box for transportation in the car and a first aid kit. It's best to ask your vet what should be in the first aid kit.
Origin & History
The Wetterhoun already existed in the Middle Ages. At that time, it was used to hunt otters and as a guard dog. It is probably related to even older water dog breeds.
The Wetterhoun retrieves both in the water and on land. Its coat is ideal for working in water. In the past, the Wetterhoun was also used to pull carts and was probably larger than it is today.
This rare breed of dog was almost extinct in 1950. A woman who had had a Wetterhoun as a child placed an advertisement in the newspaper looking for a Wetterhoun. Some farmers still had crossbreeds. The current stock was bred from these.
Today, there are around 800 dogs worldwide, the largest number of which are in the Netherlands. Most of them are domestic or guard dogs. However, there are also weather dogs that are used for hunting. They hunt muskrats to keep the dykes intact.
You should only get a Wetterhoun if you have enough time for this loyal companion and can handle an agile and intelligent hunting dog. Even today, the Wetterhoun is not a dog for beginners.
