A Dorchester family have just welcomed a litter of extremely rare puppies; the first ever born in the UK and tripling the breed population in the country.
The litter of eight Wetterhoun puppies arrived on April 5.
Considered possibly the world’s rarest dog breed, the Wetterhoun has a population numbering just over 1,000 globally.
Until last week, there were just four Wetterhoun in the UK.
The owners, Nicky and Mike from Dorchester, have now begun the search for special homes for them.
The couple bought their first Wetterhoun, Aafke back in 2020. Last summer, Nicky began scouring the whole of Europe for a suitable male for the puppies she hoped would be born here in England.
She found the perfect match in six-year-old Wetterhoun Jappie, only he lived more than 450 miles away in Heteren, West Holland.
“With such a rare breed, we have to take a conservationist approach to breeding, ensuring sound genetics of future puppies is absolutely vital,” says Hannah Woods, the Breeding Advisor for Wetterhoun and their cousins the Stabyhoun in the UK.
“Distance and logistics almost become a secondary consideration.”
The Wetterhoun was developed at least 400 years ago in the Dutch province of Friesland. The origins are assumed to be from Gypsy dogs, crossed with an indigenous Frisian dog, possibly the extinct Old Water Dog. Frisian Water Dogs were kept for the dangerous hunting of Fitch – a European polecat – and otter. The dogs were also used for retrieving waterfowl and as watch dogs.
Although they almost disappeared during the Second World War, fanciers were able to bring the breed back through careful breeding, and it is gaining in popularity thanks to its robust and entertaining nature.
Before becoming proud owners of a Wetterhoun, Nicky and Mike already owned a breed cousin, a Stabyhoun.
They said: “We loved the Dutch dogs, but there seemed no possibility to find a Wetterhoun as they are so rare, despite the charm of the breed. We especially liked the beautiful curly coat that needs so little grooming and its characterful nature.
“When the UK was offered a female Wetterhoun by a Dutch breeder and we were able to welcome Aafke to our home, we just couldn’t believe it.”
Although there is already a waiting list for these puppies, Nicky is looking for a very particular home for one of them.
She said: “Although first and foremost we are looking for loving family homes for these puppies, we are also interested in hearing from people who might be up for the challenge of having their own litter of Wetterhoun puppies one day so that we can continue to build a healthy population in this country.
“We are laying the foundations of a new breed in the UK; it is exciting, challenging and quite special.”
A Dorchester family has welcomed an extremely rare litter of puppies – the first ever to be born in the UK.
Wetterhouns are one of the world’s rarest dog breeds, with an estimated worldwide population of around 1,000.
The breed is originally from the Netherlands, having first appeared more than 400 years ago.
A few years ago, Nicky and Mike from Dorchester joined a program to introduce the breed to the UK.
The litter of eight puppies, born on 5 April, is the first ever to be born in the UK and triples the current population.
Nicky told ITV News West Country: “We are very keen for these lovely dogs to be better known, and they are very lovely family dogs. They have got their own nature, they are a little bit quirky but they are very friendly.
“They’re basically farm dogs but when we had the Second World War of course the Netherlands was very badly affected and the number of dogs declined very dramatically, so the Dutch Club started a breeding programme to make sure that the race of dogs would be preserved.”
The couple bought their first Wetterhoun, Aafke, back in 2020 and she has since been through and passed a series of health and conformation tests.
Last summer, Nicky began scouring the whole of Europe for a suitable male for the puppies she hoped would be born in the UK.
She found the perfect match in six-year-old Wetterhoun Jappie, who lived more than 450 miles away in Heteren, West Holland.
Hannah Woods, the breeding advisor for Wetterhouns in the UK, said: “With such a rare breed, we almost have to take a conservationist approach to breeding and making sure the genetics are sound is absolutely vital.
“Before being allowed to breed from any Wetterhoun, the dog needs approval from two expert judges and has to pass a series of health tests. In addition, all planned matings are scrutinised by a dedicated panel of breed experts before given the green light.
“This is a comprehensive process that helps ensure puppies are healthy, and it promotes genetic diversity across the population.”
Although there is already a waiting list for these special puppies, Nicky is looking for a very particular home for one of them.
She said she is interested in hearing from people who might be up for the challenge of having their own litter of Wetterhoun puppies one day to continue to breed a healthy population.
Anyone who might be interested in a Wetterhoun puppy should contact Jane Moss at the UK Stabyhoun Association on jane@stabyhounuk.com
