Stabyhoun Breed description: Character & Co

Stabyhoun - the Dutch breed in breed profile

The Stabijhoun or simply Stabij is a very rare hunting and farm dog even in its Dutch homeland.

The origin of the Stabijhoun

A Stabijhoun was originally nothing special in the Frisian regions of the Low Countries. He developed quite casually as a versatile working dog. "Stabihoun" or the correct Dutch spelling "Stabÿhoun" means something like "dog that stands by me".

His traditional duties were many and varied. It accompanied his masters on hunts, guarded the house and livestock. Because it was so ordinary, he was not given much attention for a long time. All that is known about his breeding history is that the breed was refreshed around 1940 by crossbreeding with the Wetterhoun.

Nevertheless, this dog is one of the five rarest dog breeds in the world today. In the meantime, Dutch as well as foreign fanciers are trying to re-establish this great dog as a family companion.

The breed characteristics of the Stabijhoun

The Stabijhoun looks a bit like many dogs you have seen somewhere before. To some, it initially reminds them of a setter, a border collie, or even a Kleiner Münsterländer. Nevertheless, this medium-sized and very friendly dog is a Frisian original. In the meantime he is officially part of the Dutch cultural heritage.

During the hunt it shows a specialized behavior, the pointing. It suddenly stops in the direction of the target as if rooted to the spot. The hunter then knows exactly where the game it has spotted is and can take its shot.

The Stabijhoun is not a highly professional hunting dog, but also perfectly suitable as a family and house dog.

The FCI lists the Staby under Standard No. 222, Group 7 and Section 1: Continental Pointing Dogs.

1. versatile Dutch working and family dog
2. very rare breed
3. for work or as a sporting companion