The Stabyhoun: temperament, price, health, and breeders

The Stabyhoun, or Stabijhoun, is the pointing and farm dog of Friesland, in the Netherlands. It hunted, killed pests and watched over the house, hence a versatility still visible today. The breed was officially recognized in the 20th century and remains small in number, which requires careful genetic management. In France, it appeals to sporty families looking for an atypical spaniel, most often black and white.

Medium-sized dog, slightly longer than tall, with a gentle expression. The head is lean, the stop slightly marked, the ears set fairly high and carried flat. The coat is medium-length, smooth or slightly wavy, never curly. The typical coat is black and white, sometimes brown and white or orange and white. The tail is well feathered.

Gentle, intelligent, very attached to its family and generally excellent with children. It likes to work and to please, without the intensity of a Malinois. Its scenting ability remains that of a pointing dog. It can be a little reserved with strangers, rarely aggressive.

He adapts to many active households: house, sometimes apartment if the outings are real. He likes to swim, to search and to play. Boredom makes him stubborn or a barker. After the effort, he often shows himself calm in the living room.

Cooperative, sometimes sensitive: positive methods give excellent results. Recall and controlled searching are the useful focuses. A classic socialization is generally sufficient. He does not like harshness.

A Stabyhoun puppy is often priced between 1 000 and 1 800 euros. Rarity and genetic management explain waiting lists.

Overall robust, but the narrow numerical base requires looking at tests and relatedness. Ears, hips and eyes are part of the usual monitoring of a hunting spaniel.

The Stabyhoun needs a complete, digestible diet adjusted to its age, its activity and its body condition. Protein quality and control of energy intake matter as much as the volume of the ration.

« Sta-mij-bij » means « stay close to me » in Frisian, hence the name Stabij. It is one of the Dutch national breeds that is still little exported. The breed club closely monitors genetic diversity.