Stabyhoun

Texts from the 19th century described dogs similar to the Stabyhoun. Joost Halbertsma wrote about a dog named Bijke and described him as a “long-haired piebald” and a “good hunting dog” as well as “a child’s friend”. The Stabyhoun’s ancestry can be traced back to the Drentsche Patrijshond and the Heidewachtel. He originated in Friesland, more specifically from the Frisian forest area in the southeast and east of Friesland. His name is derived from the “sta mij bij” or in English “stand by me” and “houn” which means dog in Frisian. His other ancestors probably came to the Netherlands during the Spanish occupation in the north. Many historians strongly believe the Stabyhoun and the Small Munsterlander are closely related. The Stabyhoun was originally used for hunting moles, skunks and rats. He was also used as a watchdog and wild hare hunter. He was found on small farms and was a very versatile dog. He is now mainly used as a companion dog. The Stabyhoun was regularly crossbred with the Wetterhoun in the early 20th century. Because of this regular crossbreeding, both breeds were on the verge of becoming lost. In 1938 a group of people who fancied the Stabyhoun became a part of the Kynologenclub Friesland and began the process of purifying the Stabyhoun. In 1942, the Stabyhoun was officially recognized by the Kynologenclub Friesland. The first official breed standard for the Stabyhoun was adopted in 1944. The Dutch Association for Stabyhouns and Wetterhouns was established in 1947. There are approximately 6000 Stabyhouns worldwide.