Stabyhoun

Grooming Tips

A Stabyhoun’s grooming needs are almost nonexistent. Unless he is neutered, any necessary hair trimming can be done yourself. A neutered dog also comes with what is called a “castrated coat” where the undercoat is exploding and may require a bit more grooming.Otherwise, the medium-length coat of the Stabyhoun is self-cleaning, meaning dirt falls off by itself when the coat is dry. One brush through it to remove the last remnants of sand and he is clean again. This also means that he only rarely gets a bath.Even if he really is very dirty, just a rinse or a swim in a clean pool is usually sufficient. Shampoo is only required if he has been rolling in something smelly; then, use a special, neutral dog shampoo so as not to strip his skin oils.Check the ears on a weekly basis for signs of infection, irritation, or wax build up. Cleanse regularly with a veterinarian-approved cleanser and cotton ball. Brush the teeth at least once per week to prevent tartar buildup and fight gum disease. Additionally, nails should be trimmed once per month if the dog does not wear down the toenails naturally.

Exercise Tips

As a hunting breed, the Stabyhoun requires a significant amount of daily exercise to remain in good health.Daily exercise is necessary for the mental and physical health of your Staby. They do not require more than a good daily hour of exercise. Afterward, they are then content to sleep and rest quietly during the day.What is perhaps even more important is that the Staby needs a mental challenge. Stabys need to have a function in daily life, and preference should be given to something that offers variety. Agility, hunting, scent training, and lure coursing can all be productive and stimulating to your Staby. A busy dog is the perfect dog.

Feeding Tips

The Stabyhoun is a medium-sized breed and should be offered a dog food formulated for dogs of its size. This breed is also active so you may want to consider switching to an active breed formula. This type of food will help to ensure that your dog’s daily needs for energy are met.If you get a Stabyhounpuppy from a breeder, they would give you a feeding schedule and it's important to stick to the same routine, feeding the same puppy food to avoid any tummy upsets. You can change a puppy's diet, but this needs to be done very gradually always making sure they don't develop any digestive upsets and if they do, it's best to put them back on their original diet and to discuss things with the vet before attempting to change it again.Older dogs are not known to be fussy or finicky eaters, but this does not mean you can feed them a lower quality diet. It's best to feed a mature dog twice a day, once in the morning and then again in the evening, making sure it's good quality food that meets all their nutritional requirements. It's also important that dogs be given the right amount of exercise so they burn off any excess calories or they might gain too much weight which can lead to all sorts of health issues. Obesity can shorten a dog's life by several years so it's important to keep an eye on their waistline from the word go.Treatscan be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Learn about whichhuman foodsare safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet.Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.

Health Tips

The Stabyhoun is, despite its small population, fortunately, a relatively healthy breed. The ASA and the NVSW do everything possible to keep it that way.There are some small populations of this breed outside the Netherlands, but the greatest genetic diversity for the breed exists in the Netherlands. Prior to breeding, both the male and female stock dogs are evaluated with hip x-rays and they must be cleared by the Dutch Club. Female Stabyhouns are only allowed to birth 5 litters in their lifetime and they cannot be bred before 18 months of age or after 9 years of age. As a result of these policies, this is a healthy breed not prone to developing serious health problems. The only problem that has not been bred out iship dysplasiaand careful breeding practices are in place to reduce the instance of this disease

Trainability

TheStabyis an intelligent breed which makes it highly trainable. Because these dogs are somewhat independent by nature, however, they require a firm and consistent hand in training. It is recommended that you use positive reinforcement-based training methods with this breed and that you start training and socialization as early as possible.With positive and gentle training, the Staby is quick to learn and wants to please. Too much pressure is never a good idea, while a good coach is important. The Staby likes a job, but his family must provide a fair and consistent approach to his training, which is very important for a peaceful, happy and diverse education. A tough approach is useless with the Staby. He will completely cease working and no longer voluntarily perform his duties.

Some of the earliest mentions of the Stabyhoun breed date back to the early 1800s in historic literature by Joost Halbertsma and Nynke fan Hichtum. This breed was developed to hunt foxes, birds, and other small game – they were particularly skilled in catching moles. The modern Stabyhoun remains a talented hunter, primarily used as a tracker, pointer, and watchdog. The Stabyhoun is one of the rarest breeds in the world and it has a small but loyal following among Dutch homeowners and sportsmen, valued for its hunting skills as well as its guarding capabilities.The Stabyhoun was recognized by the United Kennel Club January 1, 1996.