About

Breed information

 

Length range  : 76-84 cm

Height range  : 53-58cm

Weight range : 25-36kg

Coat : dense curly medium-length coat|coarse slightly greasy feel|water-repellent|undercoat|smoother on head and legs

Life expectancy years : 12-14

Colors: black|brown|black and white|brown and white|roan|white markings|ticked markings.

Activitity Level : High

Origin: Netherlands

Similar Breeds : Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever|Portuguese Water Dog|Otterhound

 

History

The breed comes from Friesland in the Netherlands and has a long working history dating back at least several centuries , with some sources tracing it to the 17th century or earlier landrace development. It was used for otter hunting , waterfowl work , guarding farms and yards , and retrieving on land and in water. Its population declined sharply during World War II but dedicated breeders preserved the breed and later kennel recognition followed in the Dutch system , FCI and UKC.

 

 

characteristics

Temperament

calm|even-tempered|watchful|strong-willed|reserved|devoted

Personality

loyal|independent|alert|sensitive|persistent|family-oriented|reserved with strangers

Needs

regular exercise|mental stimulation|clear leadership|early socialization|regular brushing|ear drying after water work

Social Needs

very bonded to owner and family|good with children when socialized|can live with other dogs and pets if introduced early|reserved with strangers

Grooming 

Brush once or twice weekly and more thoroughly during heavy shed periods. Bathe only a few times a year because frequent bathing can strip protective oils and make the coat woolly or brittle. Keep ears clean and dry , trim nails , and provide regular dental care.

Nutrition

Feed a balanced high-quality diet with appropriate calories and nutrients and avoid overfeeding because the breed can become overweight. Commercial or home-prepared with veterinary supervision diets may be used if nutritionally balanced. Proper growth nutrition is important because dietary excesses may worsen orthopedic risk.

 

Breed Standard

medium-to-large robust working build|broad head|straight powerful muzzle|low-set flat-hanging ears|oval slightly slanted eyes|long bushy tail curling over back|tight curls and water-repellent coat

Did you know?

Wetterhoun means water dog. The breed is almost never seen apart from its owner and was preserved from near-extinction after World War II. Its greasy curly coat helps repel water during rigorous fieldwork.

HEALTHCARE

Most Common / iconic illnesses 

Canine Hip Dysplasia, Otitis Externa, Cataracts, Atopic Dermatitis, Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID)

 

Symptoms

1. Bunny-hopping gait
2. Difficulty or stiffness when rising
3. Reluctance to climb stairs or run
4. Hind-limb muscle atrophy
5. Hip pain may occur.

1. Head shaking
2. Ear scratching
3. Dark or purulent discharge
4. Ear odor
5. Redness , swelling and pain when ears are touched may occur.

1. Cloudy or bluish-white pupil appearance
2. Bumping into objects
3. Hesitation in dim light
4. Depth perception changes and progressive vision loss may occur.

1. Chronic itching
2. Redness around face , paws , axillae and groin
3. Face rubbing
4. Frequent ear infections
5. Dark thickened skin may occur with chronic scratching.

1. Recurrent bacterial , viral or fungal infections
2. Persistent diarrhea
3. Stunted growth
4. Respiratory infections
5. Lethargy , skin eye or ear infections and failure to thrive may occur.

Onset of symptoms

 

Canine Hip Dysplasia

1. It can present during rapid growth in puppies from about 4 to 12 months or later as osteoarthritis in mature dogs.

Probability Of Onset:

1. High breed-specific risk is described in the supplied Wetterhoun health text and hip dysplasia is repeatedly flagged as a key concern.

Otitis Externa

1. It can occur at any age and may follow swimming , water retrieval work or humid conditions.

Probability Of Onset:

1. High risk is described for water dogs with pendulous ears , heavy coat and repeated moisture exposure and ear infections are one of the most common canine infections generally.

Cataracts

1. Juvenile inherited forms may present from 1 to 4 years of age while age-related forms may appear in mature to senior dogs.

Probability Of Onset:

1. Moderate risk is described in the supplied breed-matched health text and hereditary cataracts can occur in predisposed dogs.

Atopic Dermatitis

1. It typically develops between 1 and 4 years of age and some atopic dogs show onset under 3 years.

Probability Of Onset:

1. Moderate risk is described in the supplied breed-matched health text and CAD can affect up to 15% of the global dog population.

Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID)

1. Symptoms usually manifest very early in puppyhood between 4 and 8 weeks as maternal antibody protection fades and death may occur within months.

Probability Of Onset:

1. Low to moderate breed-specific risk is described in the supplied matched health text and controlled breeding is said to keep the threat under better control.

Reasons

Canine Hip Dysplasia       

 1. Protective cartilage support is effectively lacking as the hip forms incorrectly and becomes lax.
2. Loss of cartilage and joint stability can follow and osteoarthritis may develop.
3. No single chemical deficiency is established but improper calcium and calorie balance may worsen expression in predisposed dogs.
4. Rapid growth can increase vulnerability in immature joints.

 

Cataracts:

1. Lens transparency is lacking once the crystalline lens becomes opaque.
2. No single missing chemical is established as the direct cause in the supplied text although oxidative damage and inherited lens fiber defects are implicated.
3. This loss of transparency blocks light from reaching the retina properly.
4. Vision may progressively worsen as opacity advances.

 

Canine Hip Dysplasia       

 1. Protective cartilage support is effectively lacking as the hip forms incorrectly and becomes lax.
2. Loss of cartilage and joint stability can follow and osteoarthritis may develop.
3. No single chemical deficiency is established but improper calcium and calorie balance may worsen expression in predisposed dogs.
4. Rapid growth can increase vulnerability in immature joints.

Cataracts:

1. Lens transparency is lacking once the crystalline lens becomes opaque.
2. No single missing chemical is established as the direct cause in the supplied text although oxidative damage and inherited lens fiber defects are implicated.
3. This loss of transparency blocks light from reaching the retina properly.
4. Vision may progressively worsen as opacity advances.

 

Otitis Externa

 1. No specific chemical deficiency is described.
2. A healthy protective barrier in the ear canal may be compromised by trapped moisture , poor air circulation and allergic skin changes.
3. This can favor bacterial or yeast overgrowth in the ear canal.
4. Repeated moisture therefore makes the ear more vulnerable to inflammation and infection.

Atopic Dermatitis

1. Skin barrier protection is lacking because epidermal barrier defects allow allergens to penetrate more easily.
2. Immune regulation may also be lacking in balance and exaggerated inflammatory responses can follow.
3. No reliable single biomarker is lacking for diagnosis because CAD is diagnosed clinically.
4. These deficits can make the dog more vulnerable to chronic pruritus and recurrent skin or ear problems.

Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID)

1. Functional T and B lymphocytes are lacking or severely dysfunctional because inherited mutations disrupt lymphocyte development.
2. Adaptive immune defense is therefore absent or profoundly impaired.
3. This can leave puppies susceptible to recurrent bacterial , viral and fungal infections once maternal antibody protection fades.
4. Residual supplements cannot replace the missing immune function.

Normally Treament Methods

Canine Hip Dysplasia:

  1. 1. Management may include weight control , controlled exercise , NSAIDs , physical rehabilitation and low-impact activity.
    2. Severe cases may require surgery such as total hip replacement or femoral head ostectomy.
    3. Dogs with CHD should not be bred.

 

Otitis Externa:

  1. 1. Veterinary diagnosis with otoscopy and cytology may be needed because over-the-counter treatment alone is not recommended.
    2. Management may include ear flushing , drying cleansers , topical antibiotics , antifungals and anti-inflammatory medication plus addressing underlying allergy or other causes.
    3. Chronic stenotic cases may require surgery.

 

Cataracts

  1. 1. Early cases may only need monitoring while vision-limiting disease may be managed with referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist.
    2. Surgical lens removal with phacoemulsification and often intraocular lens placement may restore vision in suitable cases.
    3. If surgery is not possible then controlling lens-related inflammation or glaucoma risk may be needed.

 

Atopic Dermatitis:

  1. 1. Diagnosis remains clinical and over-reliance on laboratory screening is not recommended.
    2. Management may involve allergen avoidance , medicated baths , topical therapy , immune-modulating medication and allergen-specific immunotherapy after appropriate work-up.

 

Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID):

  1. 1. No curative treatment exists and supportive isolation with antimicrobial care may be attempted but success may be very limited.
    2. Humane euthanasia may be discussed because long-term prognosis is grave and prevention relies on genetic screening and responsible breeding. Ask professional vets for detailed information.

 

Supplements

Canine Hip Dysplasia :

  • 1. Glucosamine hydrochloride can,might be helpful for supporting cartilage health.
    2. Chondroitin sulfate can,might be helpful for maintaining joint support.
    3. Omega-3 fatty acids EPA,DHA can,might be helpful for moderating joint inflammation.
    4. Green-lipped mussel extract can,might be helpful for maintaining cartilage hydration.
recommend product

Otitis Externa

  • 1. Omega-3 fatty acids EPA,DHA can,might be helpful for supporting skin and mucosal barrier integrity.
recommend product

Cataracts

  • 1. Lutein can,might be helpful for ocular antioxidant support.
    2. Zeaxanthin can,might be helpful for helping combat oxidative stress in ocular tissues.
    3. Astaxanthin can,might be helpful for antioxidant support.
    4. Vitamin C can,might be helpful for oxidative stress support.
    5. Vitamin E can,might be helpful for ocular tissue support.
recommend product

Atopic Dermatitis

  • 1. Omega-3 fatty acids can,might be helpful for supporting the skin barrier.
    2. Omega-6 fatty acids can,might be helpful for epidermal support.
    3. Quercetin can,might be helpful for balancing inflammatory responses.
    4. Probiotics can,might be helpful for immune balance support.
recommend product

Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID)

  • 1. Vitamin C can,might be helpful for supporting residual innate barriers.
    2. Vitamin E can,might be helpful for antioxidant support.
    3. Probiotic blends can,might be helpful for supporting residual barrier health though they cannot correct the immune defect.
recommend product