Stabyhoun
STAH-bee-hoon
Netherlands· Friesland, northern Netherlands
The Stabyhoun is a medium-sized Dutch breed originating in Friesland, traditionally valued as a versatile farm and hunting dog.
At a glance
Quick facts
Size
Medium
Exercise needs
1-2 hours per day
Home size suited to
Medium or larger
Grooming frequency
Weekly brush, more when moulting
Coat length
Medium
Sheds
Yes
Lifespan
13-15 years
Town or country
Flexible with sufficient exercise
Garden size needed
Medium or larger
Where it comes from
Origins of the Stabyhoun
In the small farming communities of Friesland, a versatile, easy-keeping dog was needed to hunt, retrieve from water and even help control moles and vermin, resulting in a hardy, biddable all-rounder tied closely to the region's farms.
- Region
- Friesland, northern Netherlands
- Climate it was bred for
- Cool, damp lowland farmland and waterways
- Original job
- All-round farm dog, hunting small game, birds and moles
The long read
About the breed
Its role covering pointing, retrieving from water, and even vermin control shaped a calm, patient and adaptable working dog with a gentle, easy-going temperament.
As a companion it is affectionate, sociable, good with children and other animals, and generally easy to train, though it still needs a reasonable amount of daily exercise.
Once highly localised to Friesland, the Stabyhoun's popularity has grown steadily since the mid-20th century and it is now kept across the Netherlands and increasingly abroad, though it remains a numerically rare breed worldwide.
Living with one
Temperament & needs
Our own ratings, based on the breed standard and how these dogs behave in ordinary homes.
Friendliness
3/5
How openly the Stabyhoun greets people it does not know.
Trainability
3/5
How readily the breed takes to training in an ordinary home.
Energy
3/5
How much daily exercise and stimulation the breed expects.
Barking
3/5
How vocal the breed tends to be day to day.
Grooming
3/5
How much coat work the breed needs to stay comfortable.
Suits a first-time owner
3/5
How forgiving the Stabyhoun is for someone taking on their first dog.
Illustrated breed standard
The points of the breed
Hover or tap a numbered point to read what the standard asks for.
Point 1
Skull
The Stabyhoun's skull is judged on balance rather than size — proportionate to the body, with a clean cheek and a stop typical of the breed. Coarseness or an over-refined head are both faulted.
Timeline
History & development
1800s
Frisian farm dog
The breed developed among small farmers in Friesland as an all-purpose hunting and farm dog.
1938
Studbook opened
A studbook was established alongside the related Wetterhoun to record and protect both breeds.
1942
Breed club founded
A dedicated breed club was formed for the Stabyhoun and Wetterhoun.
1970s
Growing recognition
The breed began to gain wider recognition and popularity beyond Friesland.
2000s
International interest
Small but growing numbers of Stabyhoun have been exported to other countries, including the United States.
Reference
Breed standard summary
- body
- Slightly longer than tall, with a deep chest and straight back.
- coat
- Medium-length, sleek and shiny, with feathering on ears, chest, legs and tail.
- ears
- Set fairly high, hanging flat, with feathering.
- eyes
- Medium-sized, brown, with a friendly, intelligent expression.
- head
- Moderately long, with a flat skull and slight stop.
- size
- Dogs 50-53cm, bitches 48-50cm
- colour
- Black, brown or orange, with white, usually with roan or ticked markings.
- temperament
- Gentle, patient, sociable and eager to please.
- general appearance
- A medium-sized, elegant, well-muscled dog with a gentle expression and feathered coat.
Health
What to screen for
Green means little to worry about, amber means ask the breeder for test results, red means manage it actively.
General information only — always speak to your vet about your own dog.
From real owners
Dogs like this
Stabyhouns added by PawPoint members through their pet passports. Share yours to appear here.
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Made for the Stabyhoun
The book, plus prints, hoodies and mugs using our own Stabyhoun illustration — and one everyday accessory that suits any dog.
The book
Pawpoint: The Complete Dog Breed Book
Every officially recognised breed plus the unofficial ones nobody else documents. 400+ pages, hardback, printed and shipped from the UK.
Own stock — shipped by us
Framed poster
Stabyhoun Framed Poster
Museum-weight print of our Stabyhoun illustration, framed or unframed.
Printed to order
Hoodie
Stabyhoun Hoodie
Heavyweight hoodie carrying the Stabyhoun illustration on the chest.
Printed to order
Mug
Stabyhoun Mug
Ceramic mug with the Stabyhoun illustration wrapped around it.
Printed to order
Accessory
Car Seatbelt Restraint
Clips any harness to a standard seatbelt buckle.
Fits any dog
Pawpoint on YouTube
Watch the full Stabyhoun video
Breed deep-dives, history and honest ownership talk. New film every week.
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