Wetterhoun
About Wetterhoun
Say hello to the Wetterhoun, a fluffy ball of charm that hails from the Netherlands! Imagine a blend of loyalty, intelligence, and a dash of stubbornness - meet the Wetterhoun, a breed known for its delightful and unique character traits. Wrapped in a thick curly coat, available in stunning shades of black, brown or white, the Wetterhoun is quite a head-turner.
As a guard dog in their original role, these beauties are watchful and alert, yet strikingly gentle with their loved ones, making them a great fit for families. Curiously independent, they can give cats a run for their money but rest assured, with some patient training, they can make a delightful four-legged buddy. You see, they rather enjoy having jobs to do!
Trips to the grooming salon won't be a common feature with Wetterhouns since their low-shedding coats just need weekly brushing. A good romp in the yard or a game of fetch should keep them wonderfully content, making them ideal for suburban homes. So, if you're ready for a playful, devoted, yet independent companion, the Wetterhoun may just be the perfect match!
Interesting Facts
The Wetterhoun breed is known as the "Frisian Water Dog," originating from Friesland in the Netherlands, where it was used as a versatile working dog for hunting and as a watchdog.
This breed has a unique, curly or wavy coat which provides natural protection against the cold, enabling them to perform exceptionally well in cold water, ice, and snow.
Wetterhouns exhibit a remarkable talent for "otter hounding," a hunting practice that phased out when otters became protected in the Netherlands, transitioning these dogs into household pets.
The Wetterhoun breed has the same ancestor as the Stabyhoun, another Dutch breed, but they have different skills due to selected breeding, with Wetterhouns being more water-oriented.
Wetterhouns are incredibly rare dogs with less than 1,000 estimated worldwide, making them a prized possession for true dog lovers and breed preservationists.
Unlike many other breeds, the Wetterhoun is known for being relatively free of genetic diseases, thanks to careful and thoughtful breeding by Dutch breeders.
They have a distinctive moon-shaped head, which makes them easily recognizable. This unique physical feature gives them a somewhat stern appearance, but they are usually very friendly towards their family members.
Despite their robust and muscular build, Wetterhouns have an agile gait with a high degree of endurance, making them perfect companions for active owners.
Due to their history as hunting and guard dogs, Wetterhouns have an independent spirit and are naturally reserved with strangers, therefore they need early socialization training.
Wetterhouns have a strong prey drive, making them unsuitable for homes with small pets. However, they are known to be very gentle and tolerant with children, which makes them excellent family dogs.
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