Wetterhoun

by Kate Barrington

Published: May 26th, 2015

About Wetterhoun

Weight

33-44 lb

Lifespan

12-13 years

Group

UKC Gundog

Best Suited For

Families with children, active singles, houses with yards, hunters

Temperament

Strong-willed, reserved, intelligent, sensitive

Comparable Breeds

Stabyhoun, Barbet

Height

21-23 inches

Wetterhoun Basics

After nearly going extinct during World War II, the Wetterhoun breed has regained some of its numbers but it remains a rare breed. This dog is known for its coarse, curly coat and its abilities as a gun dog. If you are looking for an active breed that can be trained for retrieving but still makes a good family pet, the Wetterhoun may be for you.

After nearly going extinct during World War II, the Wetterhoun breed has regained some of its numbers but it remains a rare breed.

Origin

The name of this breed comes from the Dutch for “water dog” and the breed was developed more than 400 years ago in Friesland, a province of the Netherlands. This breed is also sometimes referred to as the Otterhound or the Dutch Spaniel, though it is technically not a type of spaniel. The Wetterhoun is thought to have descended from the now-extinct Old Water Dog and it may have been crossed with an indigenous Frisian breed. Throughout its history, the Wetterhoun has been used as a gun dog, a watch dog, and a water retriever. The breed nearly disappeared during the Second World War, but fanciers have slowly been rebuilding the breed.

Pedigree

The Wetterhoun is descended from the Old Water Dog, having been developed over 400 years ago in the Friesland province of the Netherlands. Careful breeding practices have brought the breed back from near-extinction during World War II.

Food/Diet

The Wetterhoun is a hunting breed which means that it has a great deal of energy. This being the case, it is recommended that you feed your Wetterhoun a dog food formulated especially for active breeds. This will ensure that your dog’s energy needs are met.

The Wetterhoun is a gun dog through and through.

Training

The Wetterhoun is a gun dog through and through. This breed thrives when given a job to perform and they typically respond well to training. Because this breed can be a little strong-willed, it is best to start training as early as possible. This breed is also fairly sensitive, so only positive reinforcement-based training methods should be used. The breed can be tolerant of children if properly socialized from a young age but care should be taken to teach the children proper handling of the dog.

Weight

At maturity, an adult Wetterhoun stands between 21 and 23 inches tall and weighs between 33 and 44 pounds.

Temperament/Behavior

The Wetterhoun was bred to be a gun dog but this breed also does well as a land or water retriever. These dogs have natural guarding abilities and a somewhat strong-willed temperament. This breed can be a little reserved, though it is generally not aggressive, so it does well as a family pet. The breed can do well around children if raised with them from a young age, though they will not tolerate harsh treatment. The Wetterhoun breed is intelligent and watchful, so they learn quickly and they do have an independent streak so firm training is required.

Common Health Problems

The Wetterhoun is a hardy breed by nature and not prone to developing severe health problems. Like all dogs, however, there are certain minor conditions to which the breed may be prone. These conditions may include ear infections, hip dysplasia, and patellar luxation.

Life Expectancy

The average lifespan of the Wetterhoun breed is between 12 and 13 years.

Exercise Requirements

As a hunting breed, the Wetterhoun is fairly active. This breed requires a good deal of daily exercise including a 30-minute walk and extra outdoor play time. These dogs also love to swim so any time they can spend in the water will be appreciated. This breed does best when given a large plot of land to run freely – they do not tend to do well with apartment life.

These dogs have natural guarding abilities and a somewhat strong-willed temperament.

Recognized Clubs

The Wetterhoun is not currently recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) but it is recognized by the Federation Cynologique International as part of the Water Dogs group and by the United Kennel Club in the Gundog Group. This breed is also recognized by several smaller clubs and registries as a rare breed.

Coat

The Wetterhoun has a thick coat of coarse, curly hair over the entire body but it is a little shorter on the legs and head. The most common colors for this breed include black and white, liver and white, solid black, or solid liver. Though the coat is fairly long, this breed does not require frequent grooming – regular brushing and combing is all that is required.

Puppies

The Wetterhoun breed is intelligent but because they tend to have a bit of an independent streak, puppies should be started early with training and socialization. Early socialization is especially important if you plan to keep the dog with children or other household pets.

Photo credit: Cavan-Images/Shutterstock; Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock; eriklam/Bigstock.com

Kate Barrington

Kate Barrington is the loving owner of two cats (Bagel and Munchkin) and a noisy herd of guinea pigs. Having grown up with golden retrievers, Kate has a great deal of experience with dogs but labels herself a lover of all pets. Having received a Bachelor's degree in English, Kate has combined her love for pets and her passion for writing to create her own freelance writing business, specializing in the pet niche.

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Stabyhoun

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Is Peanut Butter Safe for Dogs?

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Have you ever wondered how your pet  sees the world around them? We all know that the eyes of dogs, cats, and all other animals are not the same as ours, and they often see the world in a very different way. While all we could do is imagine and theorize up until now, thanks to a new breakthrough in technology we will be able to take a peek through the eyes of animals!Scientists have  invented a special camera that uses a unique combination of state-of-the-art hardware and software, in order to create videos and images that show us exactly how certain animals see. For example, with this latest tech, you will be able to see the vivid world of colors that are seen through the eyes of birds and bees. One of the recent demonstrations revealed how a UV-sensitive vision of a bird renders an orange sulfur butterfly - the result is more than striking, as it doesn’t look like anything related to human vision.

What Should I Include in a Pet First Aid Kit?

As loving pet parents, we do everything possible to keep our furry companions safe and healthy. However, life is unpredictable, and accidents happen, so we must be prepared for unexpected emergencies. This includes ensuring we have a fully stocked, pet-friendly first aid kit available. In this article, we’ll discuss the essential items you should have on hand to care for your pet in those unforeseen moments. From basic cuts and scrapes to more severe injuries, you’ll be prepared to act as your pet’s first line of defense when it matters most. Can You Use a Human First Aid Kit on Dogs and Cats? Yes, sort of. Most of the items included in a human first aid kit can be used to treat your pet in the case of an emergency. You may be wondering – if they can use the same supplies, why do I need a first aid kit specifically for pets? Some items you won’t find in a human first aid kit may be necessary depending on your pet’s injury or ailment. These could address a problem that only a dog or cat could experience, or they may involve finding alternatives for human products that are unsafe for our pets, like human medications. What Human First Aid Products Can Be Used on Dogs and Cats? Most standard items in your first aid kit can be used on dogs and cats. For example, bandages, gauze pads, ice packs, and medical tape are all suitable for pets. They are the exact same items often included in both human and pet first aid kits. Tools like scissors, latex gloves, and tweezers will also be helpful when performing first aid on a pet. This means that if you currently have a standard human first aid kit at home, you are already well on your way to being prepared to take care of your pet in an emergency. To update your human first aid kit and make it suitable for pets, you will just need to add a few important items:

What Shapes Your Dog’s Personality? Harvard Neuroscientists Reveal

No two dogs are the same – each pooch has a personality of their own, complete with unique quirks and traits. But why is your dog the way they are? What shapes their personality and character? Why do they behave in a unique way, even when they belong to a certain breed with a distinct set of traits?This is the question that Erin Hecht, assistant professor of human evolutionary biology at Harvard, is trying to answer. She is doing this through  The Canine Brains Project and recently held a  talk - centered on canine neuroscience - that was organized by Harvard’s Brain Science Initiative.According to Hecht, dogs have the potential to teach us so much about brain development, especially considering the fact that they were domesticated about 20,000 to 40,000 years before the present – which, on the evolutionary timeline, is quite recent. “Darwin saw dogs as a window on mechanisms of evolution,” Hecht said. “When we’re looking at dogs, as a natural experiment and brain behavior evolution all we have to do is look at their brains and see what evolution did in order to satisfy those selection requirements.”Hecht’s efforts were benefited by her lab, which performs MRI scans of dog brains – roughly 100 per year. They also conduct owner surveys that examine dogs’ work skills, especially those “ancient” ones, like hunting, guarding, herding, fetching, and so on. All this is then compared to breed parameters, like body size, skill size, and overall shape. “About 80 percent of the dogs living on the planet today are what’s known as village dogs. These are free-ranging animals that live as human commensals. So they’re living within human society, but they’re not pets,” Hecht said.Through such research, Hecht is hoping to determine what exactly shapes a dog’s personality. Through her lab work, she connects personality and skill differences in dogs to six special regions of their brains:-the regions controlling drive and reward -olfaction and taste-spatial navigation-social communication and coordination-fight or flight -and olfaction and vision“There has been very strong recent specific selection in individual breeds rather than founding effects in ancestral founding populations,” Hecht said. “So then we can look at behavior and ask whether the types of behaviors that different lineages have been selected for historically … [explain] each dog’s anatomy and these six brain networks. And it seems like there are some interesting relationships here.”But most importantly, it is concluded that these neural pathways are greatly impacted by the shape and size of a dog’s skull. “It stands to reason that if you’re manipulating the shape of a skull, you’re going to be manipulating the shape of the brain,” Hecht said. “But this confirms that dogs with these extreme skull morphotypes have impacts on their brain anatomy that likely affects behavior.”She also adds that even though some dogs have a brain “makeup” that suggests a unique disposition, it doesn’t “lock” them into a set behavior pattern. This is especially true for working skills. “Training is almost always necessary. I have yet to hear of any particular breed of working dog, where it’s just born knowing how to do its job,” Hecht said.So, a look “inside” your doggo’s brain might reveal why they are just the way they are. Would you be curious enough to let scientists take a peek?

Newfoundland Dogs Deliver Your Tree at This US Christmas Tree Farm

“It’s a great way to expose people to the joy of Christmas but also teach people about Newfoundland dogs,” explained Lindsay Eshelman when asked about her family farm. “They’re big, and sometimes people are scared of big dogs, and we want to show that they’re gentle giants.”The Esheman family’s love of the breed is evident, with four Newfoundland dogs currently among their ranks. But they didn’t want to stop there. By inviting Newfies from far and wide to come together, they have rightfully earned the title “The Newfoundland Farm.” The event has become a big part of what they do, a tradition they excitedly look forward to year after year.“We are a destination for these dogs,” Eshelman said. “We actually have had people drive all the way from Vermont, Maine, Ohio – those are ten-plus hour-long drives.”Are you interested in joining the festivities next year, but your dog doesn’t quite fit the breed? Don’t worry! Their Facebook states that all dogs are welcome, not just Newfies. If your dog isn’t keen on public spaces, that’s okay too! Dog lovers are welcome to join in with or without a dog. There will be plenty of adorable pups eager to enjoy your attention.So, start planning your trip to Pennsylvania next year to participate in Newfoundland Day and make some unique holiday memories.Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Cat in Heat: Signs and What to Do

If you have an unspayed female cat, it’s just a matter of time before she goes into heat and is ready to mate. But will you be able to recognize that she’s in heat, and will you know what to do? Here’s some basic information on the signs that a cat is in heat and what you can do to make sure your cat doesn’t get pregnant and produce an unwanted litter.When Do Cats Start Going into Heat?A cat can go into heat (known as estrus) at a surprisingly young age. On average, her first heat can occur at roughly 6 months old. But some cats will go into heat sooner, such as around 4 months old, or later, such as closer to 1 year old.Several factors, such as the cat’s breed, her weight and body condition, and the time of year and amount of daylight, influence when a female kitten that hasn’t been spayed will go into heat for the first time. So, it can be difficult to predict when it will happen.Note: A nursing mother cat with a litter of kittens could go into heat and get pregnant again.How Long Is a Cat in Heat?On average, a cat will be in heat for seven days, but it is possible for a cat to be in heat longer, such as for 14 days, or for a shorter period, such as two days. If she doesn’t mate, the heat will end but restart a short time later, such as a couple of weeks later. But if she mates, she’ll ovulate and move out of heat in a couple of days. Note: Cats can be in heat multiple times throughout the year. The environment they live in and the number of daylight hours can affect if they go into heat.Signs a Female Cat Is in HeatBehavioral changes are the main things to look for to determine if your cat is in heat. Here are some of the common signs:Vocalizations – your cat will yowl and meow more loudly and more often than usualAttempts to get outside – your cat will try her best to sneak or dart out the door in search of a mateChanges in posture – your cat will stick her rear end up in the hopes she’ll grab the attention of a male kittyIncreased urination or spraying – your cat may urinate more often, and she might mark spots around the house by spraying urine on themSeeking attention – your cat will be more demanding, seeking your attention and affection, and will rub her face and body on people and objects around the houseRolling – your cat will roll around on the floor more than usualGrooming more – your cat will groom herself more, and you may notice her grooming the genital area moreWhat to Do When Your Cat Is in HeatOnce your cat is in heat, there’s really nothing that you can do about it except wait for it to end. In the meantime, she can easily get pregnant, so it’s important to keep her indoors and away from intact males.In addition to that, you can try calming her down by giving her your attention. If she’s acting restless, you can encourage her to play with a wand toy, which is perfect for interacting with your pet and showing her you care.  A good example is the Our Pets Play-N-Squeak at Night Twinkle Mouse Cat Wand. It features a stuffed mouse that squeaks when hit, along with feathers and a long string so your kitty can chase down or jump up and grab her “prey.”

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