A remarkable event unfolded last month in Dorchester as Mike and Nicky, proud owners of Aafke, witnessed the birth of an extraordinary litter of Wetterhoun puppies—the first of their kind to grace the UK.
The eight adorable Wetterhoun puppies not only brought joy to the Jan household but also contributed to a significant boost in the country’s Wetterhoun population, effectively tripling the existing numbers.
Mike and Nicky, who introduced Aafke to their family in 2020, undertook a unique journey to the Netherlands to find a suitable mate, Lex, since there are just over 1,000 Wetterhouns worldwide.
This exceptional litter, comprising five males and three females, has been given names paying homage to notable England rugby players: Dan, Jason, Jonny, Billy Ben, Poppy, Maggie, and Marlie. While these names are their official registrations, Nicky shared that new potential owners are welcome to choose names that resonate with them.
“The eight puppies are each delightful and have their own personalities. At six weeks old, they are learning to be calm in their interactions and to be confident in problem solving,” she said.
“It is an amazing experience to deliver and care for these beautiful dogs alongside their lovely mother, Aafke.
“She demonstrates exceptional mothering skills, from delicately severing the tiny umbilical cords during birth to imparting the lesson that ‘no’ means ‘no’ when her offspring eagerly reach for her nourishing milk.”
These puppies entered the world through a dedicated breeding program orchestrated by the UK Stabyhoun Association (UKSA). The objective is to cultivate a robust Wetterhoun population in the UK and advocate for their cousin, the Stabyhoun, as an engaging and well-suited family companion.
Nicky has shared that she diligently adheres to the puppy culture protocols, specifically designed to equip dogs with the necessary skills for thriving in the human world.
Her aspiration is that these pups “will make valuable contributions to the future generation of Wetterhouns,” contingent upon the requisite approval from the Breeding Committee of the Dutch Breed Club. To safeguard the breed’s ongoing health, Nicky emphasized the strict prohibition of cross-breeding.
According to breeding experts at the UK Stabyhoun Association (UKSA), Wetterhouns possess a distinctive and delightful character, exhibiting a calm and reliable nature along with a definite sense of humor. Categorized in FCI Group 8: Retrievers and Waterdogs, these dogs genuinely enjoy being with their human companions, forming enduring friendships once you become a part of their family.
Originally employed for hunting small mammals and waterfowl in the Netherlands over 400 years ago, Wetterhouns owe their name to the West Frisian term “Wetterhûn,” translating to “water dog.” Despite facing near extinction during the German occupation in World War II, dedicated dog lovers successfully revived the breed through meticulous breeding efforts, and it is now experiencing a resurgence in popularity.
Known for their close collaboration with their owners and a keen sense of understanding their humans’ desires, Wetterhouns are described by Stayhouns UK as loyal companions. Their thick, curly coat serves as a water-repellent shield, providing protection in various outdoor conditions.