Stabyhoun UK Today News, views and advice about the Friese Stabij Issue 4, December 2015

BFinrdineg ethde riighnt mgal eS, caprineg fcori mauml and pups, and owning a UK stud

The First 100 Days with Jelske and Hoover’s puppies

First Class Dog Being a reading therapy dog

Cover: Brianna Vittachi ...plus articles on , the 2015 with newborn Utske photography competition and more... Welcome Assessment & Social Day The annual UK Stabyhoun After our UK assessment day, Pam Assessment & Social has now White and Inca made the journey to become a permanent fixture in the the Netherlands for their Breeders calendar, and is a must-attend event. Day on 31 October. We knew this girl This year, several were bidding had lots of breed qualities and the for their second Very Good or most wonderful temperament. So Excellent score which would qualify Christina had arranged two formal them to breed – subject to the assessments of her with two different relevant health tests of course. And judges – courtesy of the Dutch they weren’t disappointed as both Breeding Panel who always show us males and females impressed Dutch great support and kindness. judge, Godelieve de Wit-Bazelmans Despite waiting all day for their turn Can you believe it; after a whole year with their looks and temperaments. to shine, the pair pulled it out of the with no UK-born Stabyhoun, we were Newcomer Mac had travelled all the bag and cashed in one Very Good and blessed with three litters in 2015. way from Yorkshire to say hello to his one Excellent score! Judging is Jelske went first with seven puppies, sister Wilma at the event, and he sometimes more art than science and including the first brown and white claimed Dog The Judge Would Like To a couple of months can make a huge one. Mieke then delivered four Take Home – taking everything in his difference for these dogs. beautiful girls and three stunning boys stride at a very young age. Congratulations and well done guys. on 12 November. And finally, on 23 November, Rikje blessed us with another big litter: Five girls and five boys. That takes the UK Stabyhoun population to over 50 dogs. Of course the great news is that all of these puppies will be registered with official Dutch pedigrees. As I write this we are tentatively planning potential matings and imports for 2016. It is both exciting and complex work to lay a sensible genetic puzzle when there are so many factors involved. Luckily we have a lot of help from our friends in the Netherlands, as always. Excellent: Inca took the judges by storm. Picture by René Rigterink This issue is a breeding special. Because the thing that characterises the Stabyhoun is that, mostly, litters are bred by ordinary families that may never have had puppies before. There My First Dog are so many questions and, thankfully, The Stabyhoun is a loyal companion an equally abundant bank of to people of all ages. Here is what knowledge and experience amongst nine-year old William Harrington had our members and the board. to say about his very first dog... Perhaps the most important thing to Blijke is nice to people: She jumps up remember is that help is always on and licks them in the face. Recently hand. We will to guide everyone she has been trying to bend the rules, breeding a litter of Stabyhoun puppies which I find amusing. It is fun letting in the UK through the process step by her out in the morning. It is a shame step – from first mating until the last that I have to share her with the puppy leaves for their new home. others. Playing with Blijke has improved my agility because I have to Christina Savage dodge around the garden trying to President, UK Stabyhoun Association catch her. It is good rugby practice. Measure for Measure: The Great British Inventory At our September event, Klaas breed; how often they occur and eyes, ears, fur, tail, body, legs and gait. Zonnebeld and Gerrit V. D. Veen had whether there were enough healthy The Inventarisator also asks whether travelled from the Netherlands to dogs to continue breeding. Because the owner has experienced any perform and teach us about the we also see a lot of variation in the problems, notes how and where the ‘inventory’. Now, Klaas explains why... looks of the Stabij, sizes and key breed dog lives, and what they are fed. characteristics were later added. Finally, comments are made about the We always love to see Stabijs and, in Inventory is not a test that you can nature and behaviour of the dog. All in such a small breed, dogs in other pass or fail – we simply describe your all, it takes about 30 minutes. The data countries are very important. In dog’s looks, health and character on plus photographs are entered into that isolation, it is all too easy to distort a paper. Judges look at the appearance dog’s individual profile on our breed population. Therefore, the Stabij of a dog. We record the facts and take database, ZooEasy. breeding experts in the Netherlands careful measurements. are strict. They also appreciate that, For breeders, all of this information within a couple of years, your dogs During the inventory, your dog is helps inform decisions about which could play a part in preserving the measured as follows: The height at the combinations are sensible. Data about genetic diversity of our breed globally. withers, its body length, the a dog and its relatives gives a more dimensions of the head, circumference complete picture of which traits the All breeding Stabij must pass certain of the chest and the length of the legs. parents are passing on. The breeding assessments but, overall, the dogs The weight is noted too. In addition, experts use the information to make should meet the physical character the following are examined and sure no two ‘extremes’ are combined. and behaviour requirements as described: Forehead, nose, teeth, specified in the breed standard. Over time, this data allows us to measure changes in the population. If All breeding dogs should also ideally necessary, action can then be taken to have undergone an official inventory prevent unwanted developments in by a qualified ‘Inventarisator’ before a looks or behaviour. And now, your very mating. But this exercise is not just own Helen Withey knows how to important for those who hope to perform the Stabij inventory too. breed. Allowing your dog to be measured helps us monitor key Gerrit and I had a wonderful time in features of the whole population. the UK. We were impressed by the quality of your dogs and hope that you The inventory was established in 1980 all feel responsible for your role in to gain an understanding of which preserving this truly special breed. health problems were present in our

mean that the Alpha dog gets We have to consider why we have a Busting the everything first, but it does have the dog and what rules and boundaries right to whichever resources it wants. we want in our own homes. If you like And yes, it would fight any other pack a cuddle on the sofa with your dog Alpha Myth member for that resource if and it is more convenient for you to Despite widespread use of the term necessary. A true Alpha dog, however, feed the dog before you have your ‘Alpha’ in dog training, Helen Withey very rarely needs to fight for anything own meal, then there is no reason explains why it is impossible for a as the other pack members respect whatsoever why you can't do that. them enough not to challenge them. human to be that member of a pack. Dogs enjoy structure in their lives. Dogs are conspecific which means Many behaviourists still advise dog Implementing rules and boundaries is they can only form a true pack with owners to eat before their dogs. what we need to have a happy dog. Why? Surely we should eat whenever their own kind. They will always Our four-legged friends are we want to, and feed our dogs when recognise their mother and their opportunists and if we don't teach it suits us. And no, letting your dogs siblings through smell, touch, sights them what is acceptable, they will do on furniture does not heighten their and sounds. Dogs are born whatever is self-rewarding. Stealing position in the pack either. completely blind and deaf; able to food, chewing furniture, chasing the feel things and have the tactile sense Most dogs do not want to be leaders. cat are all high on the list. But if they but no sense of smell until They only get on the sofa because it is are taught and trained to behave in approximately two weeks of age. comfy and because they can. If a dog an acceptable manner, then they will Dogs form a close bond and a lasting becomes aggressive over food, live happily alongside us without the relationship within the pack, inside a furniture or toys, this is normally due need for anyone to try or pretend to hierarchical structure. This doesn't to possessive aggression. be the Alpha. 3 Once upon a time there were two young Stabyhoun, Jelske and Hoover. Who would have guessed at their first When Hoover met Jelske meeting in August 2013, just after Owning a stud dog, by Annie Alexander Hoover had arrived from Holland, that they would fall in love and produce a wonderful litter of puppies. We always knew we wanted Hoover to have puppies. He is such a character; playful, intelligent, affectionate, loyal and fun to have around. Why wouldn’t we want to breed from him? Let’s pass on these great genes, we decided. Secretly, I think Christina always had Hoover in mind to pair with Jelske but we had to wait nearly two years for the mating to be authorised by the entirely different reason! Once he got pressure was on. Hoover took no time Dutch Stabyhoun Association ( NVSW ). the general gist of things, he took it all at all; he was practically a pro and The request was submitted later than in his stride. Jelske was the perfect Christina and Jelske were heading usual and was made subject to the mate too; she was so patient and home in less than 30 minutes. results of Hoover’s elbow and hip x- helped him as much as she could. We were pleased with Hoover’s rays. We were on tight timescales in Once the initial ‘jump’ is done, it is performance but of course the proof is case Jelske came into season early. imperative that the owners hold both in the puppies so we waited anxiously And if Hoover didn’t pass, the approval dogs ‘end to end’ for anything up to 60 for a month before a scan confirmed would be withdrawn. There was a lot minutes until the bitch ‘releases’ the that Jelske was indeed pregnant. We of chasing up the vets for the results male. If you don’t and they get were thrilled to bits and so proud. but we made it just in time. Phew! spooked, they could hurt themselves. Christina sent us a text as soon as Once Jelske came into season, A couple of days went by and Christina Jelske went into labour; I was on Christina was straight on the phone. was back for the second mating. This constant puppy watch on my phone. Typically, the owner of the female time Hoover knew the score and poor Arjen (my favourite) was the first born brings her to the home of the male Nick had to endure the show from the and we couldn’t believe it when we where he will find it easier to sofa where he was having his tea! saw that he was brown and white. concentrate. So Christina hot-footed it What a fantastic surprise from the first to Chesterfield for the first mating Finally, Christina brought Jelske for a all-UK mating. It was seven puppies in about 11 days into Jelske’s heat cycle. third mating just to make sure. Usually total and Jelske was a natural mum. To be honest, I think Hoover thought this isn’t necessary but Jelske was Jelske was there to play initially, but it behaving strangely and we didn’t want Once the puppies were born we had to only took him around 20 minutes to to take any chances. There were a lot arrange a DNA profile for Hoover realise that she was there for an of people waiting for a puppy so the which is sent to the Netherlands to prove that he is the father. These days, this profile is done before a mating. It was easy though; we just had to rub two sampling brushes on the inside of his mouth and put them in the post. Hoover first met his kids when they were about four weeks old. He didn’t really understand what was going on to be fair, but such a proud day to see him and Jelske with their family. Using Hoover as a stud dog has been hugely rewarding. We can’t wait to see the pups grow up and to see if they have his wonderful character. We would highly recommend it and hope this won’t be his only litter (Nick says Annie, Gabby and Nick we can put our name in the hat for a meet the puppies puppy next time)! 4 Match Making Hannah Woods on finding the perfect male for Mieke’s first litter of pupppies I get asked regularly why I chose a certain male for a mating, and most think it’s because he was the one we liked the most. Or because he had won lots of prizes, or is a nice colour. Here is how it really works. Mating Mieke Choosing a Stabij male was quite a new experience for us. We are used to having pretty much free reign in Abe fan it Roekebosk breeding with our other dogs, the Shelties. Researching males is fun but doing all your own research into genetics, health testing, the lineage and so on takes time and it can all go horribly wrong if you miss something important. We were impressed by the system that governs the match-making of the Stabyhoun to make sure genetic health risks are kept as low as possible. Firstly, I asked Christina and Mieke’s breeders for some suggestions. I don’t yet have the necessary knowledge of the Stabyhoun population. It doesn’t help that everything is in Dutch! They gave me a few options, with pros and cons for each one, but also encouraged me to have a look through the stud list myself to see if anyone stood out for me. There are strict limits on how many litters a stud dog can sire each year, and several dogs were already on hold for the rest of the year. After hours of trawling through a list of males, looking at their health tests and how the litter would be genetically, I kept coming back to one of the dogs that was first recommended – Abe fan it Roekebosk, a 6 year old male in South Holland. We had a few extra requirements than simply choosing a sound genetic match. But above all, we wanted to be bringing something new to the UK population – genetically Mieke and Abe’s puppies start to open their eyes speaking. Otherwise, we might as well have stayed on home turf and used one of the lovely young males here. Everyone agreed that he was the ideal application could still be refused if Abe met all our requirements, and to dog for the task, so we made our someone had got there before us. But top it off, he had an absolutely application, held our breath, and the approval came just in time – a few waited. Even after all that, our weeks later, Mieke came into season. amazing personality! 5 Special Feature: Scent Tracking with a Stabyhoun www.stabyhounuk.com A Truly First Chance at work Class Dog Chris Sprague tells the story of how his Stabyhoun became a Reading Therapy Dog for children in America. Ever since I was in my 20s, I knew I wanted to work with children. We all know how smart our Stabys are, so I really put Chance through his paces. When I retired from 25 years of Inn keeping, Chance and I went to work. We had already started with general obedience training (he was an Inn dog That summer, after learning about in case he doesn’t understand. after all and needed to be well therapy dogs being used with children An especially strong bond developed behaved to become the ‘perfect’ learning to read, I was intrigued and between Chance and those students. greeter). We took the Canine Good started my research. I quickly realised They greeted Chance with smiles and Citizen test, which he passed, of it would be a great fit for Chance, who pats, prompting a lot of tail wagging course. Then the training began for just adores children, and for me. and an occasional lick on the cheek. becoming certified with Therapy Dogs After contacting the Principal of our The youngsters read for 20 minutes at International, and in June 2014, he local elementary school to outline my a time and then reward Chance with a passed the exam. program, and through a collaboration nice dog treat for being such a kind I would say that the most important with the school library and several and patient listener. traits to becoming a therapy dog is classroom teachers, the new program For me, the amazing part is that once that the dog must be friendly, patient, was launched. you put on his red scarf, Chance knows confident, gentle, and at ease with For 90 minutes each week, I sat on a he’s working. Once we start, he strangers. They provide unconditional special ‘alphabet’ comforter with doesn’t get up, he doesn’t move. He is acceptance and never fail to put smiles Chance. He wears a red bandana with really there listening. While the on the faces of both children and a therapy dog badge around his neck, children are reading, they’re giving adults. They must enjoy human and we listen while five second Chance a pat or giving him a snuggle contact and excessive petting! And graders read picture books aloud. The and showing him things; really they must be comfortable staying in children show pictures to Chance, and including him in what they’re doing. one place for a while. sometimes explain what words mean, I’ve watched these kids get more comfortable. They don’t come in shy Chance: Ready to listen anymore. They are able to relax and concentrate, and they’re reading with greater confidence. Their personalities have blossomed in the year they have spent with Chance. Their development has been truly profound. During summer 2015, this remarkable Stabyhoun was part of PAWS reading program at the Patten Library in Bath, Maine. Chance has really found his calling (well, maybe both of us have) – he and I are over the moon, filled with gratitude for the role we are allowed to play in these children’s lives. Chance completed his summer ‘job’ and started back at Nobleboro Central School in September 2015. He now has five new children reading to him. 6 My First 100 Days With... Whether you are an experienced dog owner or a first-timer, the first few months with any new puppy can be a real rollercoaster. Here, the owners of Hoover and Jelske’s seven puppies, share their ups and downs of owning a Stabyhoun. Mac (18.6kg) Nothing could have prepared us for the joy and laughter Mac has brought Mac to our lives. He arrived like a whirlwind into a household of four other dogs. We were meeting up with a friend and His enthusiasm for everything is her dog who had arrived first on the Emo (20.2kg) insatiable. He has stolen the hearts of walk we were planning together. I took so many people who have met him. Day 1: Exciting and nerve wracking – Mac out of the car and opened the after much anticipation, finally we Mac is viewed firstly with curiosity gate into the field. In spite of my friend could bring our little boy home after which soon turns into admiration for and her dog being out of sight over the two years of waiting for the right time the calm and thoughtful way he brow of the hill, Mac picked up on and the right dog. We were a little approaches life. He has accepted with their scent immediately. His nervous about how Emo would settle great enthusiasm all the challenges we enthusiasm and excitement when he in with Ben and all the other animals, have presented him with, and so far he did was wonderful to see; I let him off but he was just so sweet and lovely. appears to be unflappable. He plays the lead and he took off at great speed We were so happy that he was home. hard and his stamina is to be admired; to go and find them! I have no doubt Week 1: Exciting and nerve wracking not to mention his determination. whatsoever that Mac will be able to do and totally exhausting – our little boy anything we ask of him and that is He has shown a wonderful and was amazing and gorgeous, but it was incredibly rewarding. sensitive side to his nature when hard work getting him settled in. Ben playing with young children and Without a doubt the biggest challenge had to adapt to not getting 100% of recently showed real concern when a was the first four to six weeks. He was my attention – suddenly, a little furry friend was upset one day; putting his obsessed with the other dogs in the creature was taking up a significant head onto her lap. household and extremely determined proportion of it. We had a little sibling His capacity to love knows no bounds. to play with them, showing incredible rivalry to manage and, as a new dog He has developed a strong emotional stamina for such a young puppy. His owner, the reality and huge attachment to each of the four dogs he nipping and biting at this age was also responsibility of bringing up a well- lives with and to my husband, myself, quite hard. I soon learnt that I had to behaved, happy little pup hit home. match or indeed exceed his our family and friends. His love of Month 1: Exhausting, fun, rewarding. determination when showing him people is without discrimination; he Ben says, "really cuddly". By now, Emo what is acceptable behaviour and simply views everyone he meets as an was settling into a really good routine what is just plain naughty. object of joy and greets them as if they and was amazingly well behaved – an were his long lost friends. In essence, People usually assume he is a Springer absolute dream to house train, with he is hard to fault. or Springer cross when they only a few accidents. After a few false Without a doubt, the most fun has first meet him. But everyone is then starts (thanks Christina for constant been discovering and working with completely taken with his friendliness moral support), he quickly got into Mac's unique and intelligent nature. and enthusiasm. sleeping through the night too. Most His willingness to learn and eagerness In a working capacity people have of all, we found him to grow rapidly to please is wonderful. He is like a been impressed by his calm and into a brilliant, fun, new member of sponge, quickly picking up on what is pensive nature – commenting that the family who was always up for a asked of him and sitting back with that they forget how young he is because cuddle and a play. wonderful look of ‘OK I've got that, of his steadiness. He has been a great Since then: Emo has learned what's next?’ ambassador for the breed, so much so everything I've attempted to teach him Mac recently blew me away when he that my friend is hoping to have a straight away. daughter of Mac one day! displayed his ability to pick up a scent. 7 These days, he now usually chooses to Emo do what he's told! But I'm so proud of him and, although there are frustrating periods when he just won't listen to me, we come out happier and more confident after working on it and negotiating our way through each particular issue as it comes up. We're now feeling like a proper little family of three :-) Emo is still a stubborn little soul at times, but more than makes up for it with love, cuddles and companionship. The first 100 days have been a massive and very rewarding learning curve for all of us. Ben says: "Playing with him, with a super cool new toy," has been that. When he was smaller, people She is an extremely loyal dog and the most fun. For me, it is exploring a often mistook him for a young shares her love and affection equally new place that neither of us have been Newfoundland pup, but now they between Jim and I. But when family before and watching Emo’s excitement assume he's a grown-up Springer and and friends visit, we don’t get a look as he sniffs all the new smells. when they ask his age, are impressed in! She makes everyone feel welcome The biggest challenge has been trying with how relatively sensible he is for and they all leave wanting to take her to get Ben and Emo to play with each such a young 'un. with them! other without Emo nipping and People with kids who are otherwise Challenges are few and far between jumping on Ben's head. They love each scared of dogs are surprised at how now. In the early days she hated other dearly, but trying to reign the their children seem to take to him, getting into the car and going to bed – pair of them in when they are playing when normally they would run away. she is now much better at both. so that they don't upset each other Those with older dogs that are has proven difficult. Ben and Emo are She is not fazed by any sudden noises normally reluctant to engage with both very similar in character: Full on, and is very calm most of the time. We fellow canines are surprised at how full of fun, very stubborn and take her to puppy training every easily Emo manages to coax them into incredibly resilient. Luckily, upsets Saturday morning and she learns very playing with him. between them never last long and quickly. Recall is not fully established Emo is ever so good at saying sorry in as she will always choose to play with his own licky way. Wilma (17.2kg) another dog over coming back to us. Who can blame her – they’re much People love how soft and silky his coat We can’t remember what life was like more fun. is, and how gentle and calm he is by before we had her; she is such an comparison to most , which is established member of our family. Wilma is very sociable with other dogs what they think he is. They are very Wilma is starting to look like a grown and is learning to keep her distance surprised when they find out that he's up dog rather than a puppy – she from the grumpy older ones we just a puppy and a rare Dutch breed at really reminds us of Jelske too. encounter sometimes on our walks. She adores children and is always very Wilma gentle when they come near to say hello. She has numerous funny habits and often has us in stitches. When she wants attention she will ‘hunt’ out things she knows she can’t have and deposit them at our feet as if to say ‘if you don’t play with me I am going to do serious damage’! When she wants to be fed she either barks at her bowl or carries it through to us – NOT very subtle! When she wants to go for a walk, she picks up one of Jim’s [heavy] walking boots and plonks it at his feet. 8 was a sensitive breed but neither of us Helmer believed it. Blijke Buckley seemed to be the least sensitive puppy we had ever had. How foolish of us not to trust the words of the wise! Over the last 100 days we have watched all facets of her personality come to the fore, and yes she is a sensitive little soul who can be easily hurt. But with that said, there’s a healthy chunk of bravado and stubbornness mixed in to round-off this wonderful breed’s personality. The biggest challenge for us has been integrating her with our other dogs. Blijke received a mixed reception initially, from ‘love at first sight’ to ‘talk Wilma loves socks and stealing from friends around. We knew this would to the hand’. When you have an the wash basket; her favourite game is be an area that could potentially be adorable pup demanding your to play chase around the coffee table. tricky with two young children. attention you have to find ways to I know Jim spent ages finding the Anyone who has met Helmer has make sure the other dogs are receiving ‘perfect’ breed for us, but he was spot instantly had a soft spot for him and the time and attention that they are on. Our little Stabyhoun is absolutely also commented on his obedience. accustomed to, and need. wonderful; a perfect representative of Friends have looked after him for a People who meet Blijke for the first the breed. We love the fact that she is weekend and were very keen to time are amazed at her maturity for a mischievous and occasionally stubborn babysit for longer, which says it all! puppy. They love the look of the breed and wilful, but in her heart she loves and always comment on her human to please. Blijke Buckey (11.8kg) eyes. We in turn explain how many Everyone who has met Wilma remarks ‘Words are easy, like the wind; Faithful hoops you need to jump through to firstly on how beautiful she is and then friends are hard to find’ W. Shakespeare get one which soon sorts the ‘wheat on how calm she is for such a young from the chaff’. What a joy! We have never had such dog. They always want to know more an easy and intelligent pup. Oh don’t She’s a dog that brings joy and fun into about the breed. I guess that makes get me wrong she is very definitely a your life with no effort whatsoever. We her the perfect ambassador. pup and we have all the unnecessary definitely enjoy higher levels of Both Jim and I know that the main bills to prove it. Nothing that quite hit serotonin in this household since the reason Wilma is developing so the excess on household insurance but 4th of July! In short: She has been an wonderfully is due to the amazing she’s been as costly as any of her absolute joy and a fantastic addition to start Christina gave her and her predecessors, and possibly then some. our eclectic mix of dogs. We look siblings. For that we are truly grateful. But worth every penny. forward to many more milestones with the joy that is ‘Blijke Boo’! Helmer (19kg) We were once told that the Stabyhoun One word, wonderful! He is amazing, gentle, loyal and full of beans and as his full character unfolds he makes us smile on a daily basis with his funny little antics. The most fun is hard to narrow down but under careful consideration it must be seeing our children and Helmer running through the woods without a care in the world. As for our biggest challenge it has to be discouraging jumping up at our kids, friends and random strangers when we are out. It is almost under control but strong controlled management is still Blijke Buckley required when Max and Freya have 9 Pip Blijke Harrington (14kg) Fun/tiring/entertaining/touching. Blijke has been a super star. She has fitted into the family very well; is naturally calm and sweet-natured, and takes everything in her stride. Blijke has good manners with other dogs and with people, except for jumping up! The best bits have been spending more time outside as a family. And it is great to whistle and see her come running towards us – she is brilliant at recall. Blijke is very affectionate and we have all had lots of Blijke cuddles. She leans in to you in such a lovely way. And seeing Blijke playing with her on my knee with her head on my dog friends is great too; hugely Pip (15kg) shoulder. Sometimes it’s hard to frenzied and energetic. She pretty The last 100 days have been a roller believe that she is the same puppy as much house trained herself when she coaster ride – all the build up to daytime Pip! arrived; we hardly had to do any work getting a puppy and her final arrival! It One of the biggest challenges has been so that was a success too! has been an amazing experience with to get her to stay in her crate alone. We have struggled a bit with getting both highs and lows. She still barks for a while before her used to spending periods of time Never having had a puppy of my own settling down so we have to keep on her own; I think that is sorted now. before, I found it difficult to relax and working on it. I guess there comes the And the ongoing challenge is teaching trawled through books about what to stubbornness again. her not to jump up at people – she do and what not to do. I later learnt Pip won the first trophy at puppy class wants to lick everyone’s face! that relaxing more and enjoying her for being the best puppy to sit when Everyone admires her colouring; her instead was the thing to do. asked. Then, a month or so later, she spotty legs and pretty face especially. Having spent my life being able to do would only sit when she felt inclined! Lots of people ask if she is a Springer what I wanted when I wanted, This girl certainly attracts attention cross, but then say that they will look adapting to having a puppy in my life and interest wherever she goes. Some up the breed as soon as they get has been a big challenge. have knowledge of similar breeds, if home. Several of my friends are But I have loved watching her grow not the Stabyhoun. And they all want thinking of applying for a Stabyhoun. and seeing her personality develop. to pat her and then remark on her One of them already has! She follows me everywhere and is lovely shiny coat plus how fit she A huge thank you to Ursula Linfoot, such a lively inquisitive puppy...nose looks. A couple of people have asked Cathy Hawes, Frances Godfrey, Lene into everything including plants, loo, for more details of the breed so who Manners, Sylvia Buckley, Vicky Jack shower! I have watched her grow from knows; maybe there will be more and Claire Harrington for sharing their a little podgy puppy into a leggy, shiny Stabyhoun in Scotland in the future. first 100 days with a Stabyhoun puppy. coated, coiled spring. It is safe to say Blijke Harrington that my life has changed completely. It has been a joy to see how quickly she learns, but having said that, it doesn't mean that she is obedient! One thing I know for sure is that she has a great sense of humour and never stops sniffing out trails, playing games and teasing me. She seems to have little fear and is game for anything. Despite her young age, Pip has already been swimming in a nearby loch. She loves children and other dogs, and of course adults. This is a puppy that is full on, all day. In the evening, being tired, she is so gentle and loves to lie 10 Diary of a Dog Breeder The best and worst about having puppies

Jelske greets last-born Helmer

With several owners of UK females and really wanted to be involved. turn-around once that day arrived. We now thinking seriously about letting even had to postpone our holiday for a Janice: As was common in the 60s and them have a litter of puppies, we week. If you really want puppies, you 70s, the pets I grew up with were asked Helen Withey, Janice Vittachi, have to be be prepared to move any allowed to breed at will and, as a kid, I Hannah Woods and Christina Savage non-essential appointments around. loved being part of the process. I had to share their experiences and tips on always hoped to have that experience Helen: I think mating a dog is easy and breeding with a Stabyhoun. again as an adult. As a result, I was I always leave it to nature. I introduce Q: Why did you choose to breed? ‘chosen’ by the Ameri-Can Stabyhoun the bitch to the dog as soon as she is Association to be Rikje’s owner since it showing signs of being receptive – Helen: I was looking for a new was hoped that she would produce at then I just leave them to it and keep a challenge – having bred and worked least one litter for the North American close eye. If they want to mate they Rottweilers to the gun for 30 years and gene pool. I seemed to be a likely bet will, if not I will just let them spend then Tollers for 15 years. I found the to breed her. time together each day until the dog Stabij and, having never owned an HPR shows no more interest. What will be (Hunt, Point & Retrieve), I thought it Also, I love puppies! As a breeder, I get will be. If I do get a successful mating, I would be great to have a go at working to play with puppies to my heart’s will repeat it 48 hours later to have the one, and maybe even establishing a content… and then give ‘em away. I best chance of getting puppies. working line in the UK. love that! Janice: I spend a lot of time Hannah: I first chose to breed because Christina: Having worked in animal wondering: Have I timed it right? Will I wanted to contribute towards a rescue for many years, I wouldn’t it take? Will she carry to term? healthy and positive future for the breed unless there was an established breed I loved, which for me first were demand for puppies. But with a rare Rikje has been mated both naturally Shelties. There is a history in most breed like the Stabyhoun, it is vital and by Artificial Insemination. While a breeds of people breeding for that as many healthy dogs as possible natural mating takes some of the purposes other than health and are bred from. I wanted to do my bit pressure off (it’s all on the dogs!), I welfare. I really wanted to do my bit to for the breed I love. find the tension similar in each case. breed in a responsible way. But once the mating is achieved the Q: What is the mating process like? strain eases completely – at least for When we heard about the UK Christina: Jelske’s first mating was very me. From that point onwards, it’s just Stabyhoun breeding program, I was straightforward. But it did involve a matter of letting nature run her drawn to the conservationist and quite a few tense days of waiting for course, and that is something I’m ethical approach that the UKSA takes, the right time, and required a quick supremely comfortable doing! 11 Special Feature: Scent Tracking with a Stabyhoun www.stabyhounuk.com Make sure she doesn’t get bumped around or exposed to anything harmful from the very beginning, including strong cleaning and other chemical products. Her body can cope but unborn pups are very susceptible. Q: Whelping: What is it really like? Christina: Waiting for the first puppy to appear is tense, and trying to guess when the last one has been born is always tricky. More than once I have been surprised by a little ‘bonus’ puppy after we Jelske, a few weeks before giving birth thought it was all over. Most recently when Rikje’s 10 th puppy arrived just Hannah: I found the first ever mating a Helen: Do everything as normal until before midnight! very strange experience. Some females about week five when you start don’t want to stand for the first bit, increasing the food and administering Take notes about everything! At 3am others don’t like the ‘tie’. Mieke stood worming treatments as advised by you might struggle to remember what like a pro for her mating – first timer your vet. I introduce the bitch to the mum’s temperature was five hours that she was – but did get a little whelping box at week seven – making ago, but that could be important. stressed at first with the ‘tie’. The best sure it is in a quiet area of the house It can feel like there is constantly a thing is to stay calm and keep the dogs where she can get used to spending decision to be made about what to do, where they are. They soon settle. time alone and sleeping in the box at or not to do, but try to be patient. night. Then set up a camp bed for Q: What is it like to care for a There can easily be several hours yourself and make sure you have your pregnant dog? between puppies. Have a vet on call vet’s emergency number to hand just for sensible advice and reassurance Janice: For most of a bitch’s in case. If it is your first litter don't but trust nature most of the way. pregnancy, there’s so little change in panic. Bitches can show signs of labour Ideally, ask someone who has her that it’s easy to forget she may, in for 48 hours before delivering the first experienced whelping before to be fact, be pregnant. I’m not sure if it’s puppy, so be patient. Unless she is with you. It could make a difference. true for all breeds, but one of the sure pushing or the waters have broken, signs of pregnancy is that a Stabij just relax and keep her company. Hannah: I find it nerve-wracking, but if becomes incredibly soppy. It’s almost all goes well it’s amazing. I’ve had both Hannah: Keep them fit! Stay in their shocking how much cuddling a clean and messy whelpings – but be usual routine for the first four to five pregnant bitch needs. Like humans… prepared for the mess and goo! weeks, then listen to her as she Good nutrition is key to getting healthy progresses further through the Preparation is really important: Have and well-developed little bundles of pregnancy. If she’s getting tired, let her everything that you might need out fuzz. Give mum lots of extra calcium rest. As time moves on, she’ll need and ready beforehand, including through the first two-thirds of the feeding more food but in smaller replacement formula. You will not pregnancy, then remove all calcium portions, and she’ll need the toilet have time to go rooting for things if until after whelping. Omega 3 fatty more frequently. Pregnant dogs are something goes wrong. acids and probiotic supplements are definitely extra sweet and cuddly – lots Do your research on signs to look for if good, plus lots of fresh water. of hugs needed. something is going wrong, and let your Rikje wanted lots of cuddles during early labour vet know when she’s going into labour, so they can be prepared too. Once you’ve done all that…relax! Keep an eye on your girl and let her progress in peace. All dogs whelp slightly differently and if she’s getting on just fine there’s no need to worry. Make sure all placentas are accounted for – you need to know if she has retained any so you can check that they are expelled later on. On rare occasions, this may otherwise require some veterinary assistance. 12 until they are three weeks old. During One of Rikje’s puppies; just minutes old this time mum will keep them clean and well fed. Janice: One of the biggest post-partum threats is eclampsia – a life-threatening drop in blood calcium levels that occurs in nursing mothers. You can minimise the risk of eclampsia by managing the bitch’s calcium intake, but it’s still necessary to watch out for the signs, especially if it’s a large litter. Other risks are infection in the mammary glands and the uterus. Any of these can potentially be serious so familiarise yourself with the signs. Janice: Whelping is a big ol’ green Someone should be with the puppies Q: When does socialisation begin? mess! Have lots of puppy pads handy. all the time to spot immediately if any If you can manage to slip one under are getting squashed or rolled on, Christina: Technically from day one the bitch before each pup emerges, it especially in a bigger litter. when you start stroking and handling will help minimise the clean-up. the puppies several times each day. You will probably need to drag mum This hard-wires the smell and sensation Obviously, it’s a good idea to read up away to use the toilet for the first few of humans into their brains. For us, on whelping beforehand so you are days at least – she won’t want to leave visitors start arriving at week three, prepared for whatever happens. But them! Throwing a light warm blanket and by week four they can begin to go the best plan is to have a more over the puppies while you take her outside if the weather is nice. experienced breeder around for the out will stop them squeaking too much duration of the whelping. while she’s gone. With Jelske’s litter, our house was like Euston station for a short while! We Helen: Whelping is messy and stressful Christina: I’d recommend keeping did have a rule of only one visit per day but also the most fantastic thing to everything nice and quiet. If this is your though. That way, both mum and witness when all goes well. dog’s first litter she is still adjusting and puppies were allowed time to relax and even the most natural mum needs to Q: How do you look after mum and digest all the new impressions before learn from experience. Don’t be pups in the first days and weeks? the next visit. tempted to invite friends and family Hannah: Keeping the puppies warm is around to meet the brood – there will Socialisation is vital with all breeds, but essential – they cannot regulate their be plenty of time for that later on. it is particularly important when it own body temperature and are very comes to the more sensitive breeds Helen: Make sure mum is getting vulnerable to cold. A pressure sensitive like the Stabyhoun. So keep an open plenty to eat as she is now feeding a heat mat in the middle of the box is a door policy and enjoy the interaction whole family. The room should be well good idea; mum can between puppies, children and adults. heated as the pups won't regulate then move off it their own body temperature if she gets too hot.

Jetta, Rosa and Hugo from Mieke’s litter 13 Janice: Before their eyes even start When they are eating well, let them Increase their food according to how to open I have already begun feed in different areas too. hungry they are, and make sure no introducing them to sounds such as one gets pushed out of the way and Introduce them to different noises the hoover and musical instruments, goes hungry. Around weeks four and such as the washing machine, along with various smells like orange six, the puppies should also be given hoover, radio and television. Let peels, bedding from other pets and worming treatments. them get used to walking on so on. different surfaces and also start to Take care to think about what you Once the socialisation period brush them with a soft brush. The are feeding them. It needs to be actually begins around four weeks, more you do with them at an early species appropriate and contain all they’re ready to be introduced to all age the easier it will be for them the nutrition they need. That means kinds of experiences. when they leave home. no Weetabix! And choose something that the new owners can easily buy Handle them. A lot. Look into their Hannah: Puppies that are raised in a in pet shops or online. eyes, ears and mouths. A lot. home environment benefit from Challenge them early and often: Give exposure to everyday sounds from Christina: When they are three them different textures to walk on the beginning. You won’t be short of weeks old, we begin offering them like a soggy towel and pebbles. Show people wanting to visit and meet the the same raw food that we feed the them different people and pets, a puppies, so human socialisation will mum, three times per day – with a mirror, toys that move and make be easy too! bit of warm water mixed in to start sounds, the outside, the lead… the Visit www.thepuppyplan.com for more with. They will eat when they are possibilities are endless – and always information about what to do and when. ready and as much as they need. entertaining! Q: When do you wean puppies? With Jelske’s pups it was a quick Helen: Socialisation starts from day introduction; they all loved it! And one – handling the pups to check Helen: At about two to three weeks I two of my buyers, Cathy and Ben, they are ok and well fed. After about start introducing solid food which is got to witness their first meal which day 10 their eyes will start to open either some very fine raw mince or was lovely. and they become more mobile so well-soaked kibble. The hard work Hannah: I start introducing my you can start to introduce some toys now really starts as they will be more puppies to solids when they begin for them to interact with. From four mobile and making more of a mess. showing an interest in mum’s food. weeks onwards they can start to go As soon as you have cleared up one outside and explore the big world, bit of mess, they wake up and it all We feed our dogs on a raw diet so I but make sure they are not out long starts again. give the pups a chicken wing each to enough to get chilled. have a good gum on! They don’t get anywhere with it, but they get used to the taste and it gets their mouths chomping. Next comes a small amount of mince, gradually increasing it as their desire for solid food grows. This is where the hard work starts – mum stops cleaning up after them so get used to a world of puppy poo! Janice : I have very little to do with the weaning process. In the first few weeks, it’s all up to the mum. I will, however, introduce the pups to solid food when they are about Rikje’s 2013 litter enjoying a meal four weeks old. 14 Janice : Not even slightly. I’ve said it The Manners family visit before and I’ll say it again: By the time they’re ready to leave, I’m really ready to let them go. Same goes for Rikje. Helen : Yes! I always have mixed emotions; sad that my babies are going but incredibly happy for their new owners. Christina: Yes, but you are also very ready to see them go. Eight weeks is the ideal time for these little monsters to enjoy some one-to-one attention. Q: What's the best and worst thing about breeding a litter? Christina: Seeing that first puppy born truly is magical. And then getting pictures and updates from their loving new families reminds you for weeks Q: What's it like having people Janice: This is the busiest time in the and months afterwards why you did it. coming to view puppies? whole process. There’s lots of The worst? The mess! There is no way socialisation to do, lots of mess to around it; puppies are smelly. Kitchen Christina: It is completely wonderful. clean up and lots of people coming to roll is your best friend for a while. Seeing everyone’s excitement, visit. Put them to work! Visitors are especially the children, is a real treat. Helen: The worst is losing one or certainly valuable as ‘socialisers’ and Of course it means there are often having a still-born pup. The best thing there’s no reason why they shouldn’t visitors around the house so don’t is being able to keep one of the wipe up some wee as well! expect much peace and quiet. puppies myself. Q: Is it hard to say goodbye? For me, the visits from future owners Hannah: It’s amazing watching the are absolutely vital in deciding which Hannah: There’s always a couple of birth, and seeing how they develop puppy is best suited to which home. I puppies that you get really attached to from being fat little sausages into little make sure the entire day is dedicated – it’s hard to see those go! On the dogs. The worst – the mess! The sleep to just one family. Being allowed to whole though, no, because they are so deprivation is hard for the first week or talk dogs for hours on end, and ready to go and start their new lives. so, but that quickly passes. answering questions from enthusiastic Those who breed get to enjoy the Janice: It’s hard to come up with a adults and kids about feeding, training cutest parts of a puppy’s life. We say worst thing, but puppy teeth is and what to name their new family goodbye when they’re starting to certainly in the running. But the best member is a real indulgence. become little trouble-makers! It’s a thing, hands down, is puppy cuddles. bonus to be able to see how they grow Hannah: Time consuming, but lovely I’d brave all the puppy teeth in the up. You never forget a puppy. to see their faces light up when they world for those! see the pups. Of course it is great socialisation and a vital opportunity to see who would be suited to which puppy. I’m grateful to the UK Stabyhoun Association for the work they do in vetting potential owners – it’s a real weight off my mind not having to be assessing people when they turn up. This is a system not to be taken for granted! Helen: Lovely but time consuming as people never seem to want to leave. So make sure your cupboards are well- stocked. It is great for people to see their puppy growing up and I try to let people visit as often as they want to. They won’t get the opportunity to see Emo is off to his new home their puppy again at that young age. 15 There are many different colour traits (or brown) should not take over the amongst dogs but we will stick to the appearance of the dog. But in practice ones we see in the Stabijhoun. we have little influence on how the Colour Me patches turn out. We also have to understand the roles played by recessive and dominant The head on a Stabijhoun usually is Beautiful genes which I will explain later. solid coloured. The type of blaze in this breed is very likely a recessive trait - The place a colour trait is found is popping up now and then. called a locus. In the Stabij we have: T-locus is ticking: the small spots on A-locus K-locus body and legs. Ticking is a dominant B-locus S-locus trait and so dogs without it are hard to T-locus R-locus find. Any variety of it is accepted. Since it is dominant, breeding two hardly We identify pattern, spotting and ticked dogs will give similar pups. colour as the three main options. Breeding heavily ticked dogs could give Patterns are what we see in A-locus non-ticked pups though, because a and the ones present in our breed are ticked dog might carry the gene for Did you know that you can tell how sable and tanpoint. Neither is wanted, heavy the ticking will be on a but a locus cannot be empty so either Stabyhoun by looking at the pads? is always present but is not always The faster the pads start to colour, the visible. heavier the ‘freckles’ will be. In this K holds three options, only two matter Mac surprised article, colour genetics expert, everyone but it Marjolein Roosendaal explains the to us: KB and ky. KB is dominant over was always in genetic factors that determine what ky. A dog can have KB and he won’t the genes your Stabyhoun looks like. show A-locus. But if it has ky/ky then A-locus is shown and you get a tri- In the official breed standard, exactly coloured Stabijhoun. So we have to what a Stabij should look like is make sure the dog carries at least one written. This description distinguishes KB-gene. This is the role of the the Stabij from another breed and sets breeding advisors who rely on the out what is allowed and what is not, information recorded carefully in our including colours and markings. So just breed database. scarce ticking. When the other dog is to recap: Black and brown with white the same, the litter will have about Black or brown markings - including ticking or in 50% of hardly ticked pups and 50% the white - is permitted. The head is B-locus decides the colour of a dog: it ticked ones. mostly black but blazes are allowed. is either black (B) or brown (b). Black is Roan Dogs range from almost all-white to dominant over brown so a dog nearly entirely black and everything in- carrying B/b is black but could produce R-locus is roaning. It is quite rare and is between. Tri-colour, however, is not brown puppies, just like Jelske and also a dominant trait. Roaning can be allowed and only rarely occurs. Hoover did in May 2015 when Mac spotted right after birth and in those But how do these dogs get such surprised everyone. A dog carrying B/B cases, the pads will be coloured. The different markings? Which genes is black and is NOT a carrier for brown picture below shows very clearly the decide how spotty their legs are? And which means even if it was mated with difference between a roaned pup and how do you get brown puppies? In a brown dog, all the puppies would a non-roaned one. order to explain the colours of the still be black. An all-brown dog is Stabijhoun we need to know a bit carrying b/b. about genetics so take a deep breath The spots and ticking and follow me... S-locus is responsible for the spotting I will explain this as simple as I can. or marking a dog has. As we know, the All genes hold traits including those Stabijhoun is always spotted or has that determine colour. Genes always patches of black and white; this is come in pairs, which means a gene known as piebald and written as sp. pair can hold two different traits. The We have variety in piebald, sometimes most dominant one is what we see or lots of white, sometimes an overload what enables another trait to be seen. of patches. The breed standard All traits are noted with a letter or requires a white dog with black or *Picture top left from Marianne van Dam, Alde letter combination. brown patches, in other words: black Leane. By Henri Groenhof. 16 2015 Stabyhoun Photography Competition Thank you to everyone who entered, and a huge congratulations to the winners and runners-up.

Runner-up *WINNER* Personality

3rd place

*WINNER* Action Shot

Runner-up

3rd place

*WINNER* Close UP

Runner-up

3rd place