Sporting breed Medium size 18-25 kg
Stabyhoun
A rare, versatile Dutch farm dog that is patient, gentle, and eager to please - an easygoing family and hunting companion when given daily activity.
Match with your household
See match detail → Quick overview
Medium
Size
18-25 kg · 48-53 cm
High
Exercise needs
Needs a good daily walk and some work
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Fairly tolerant of normal routines
Trainable
Training
Willing, soft, and easy to train
Moderate
Coat care
Medium coat, weekly brushing
Excellent
Fit with kids
Excellent, patient family dog
Good
Other pets
Friendly with dogs and other pets
Light
Health burden
Dental Disease, Hip Dysplasia, Chronic Ear Infections
The Stabyhoun typically weighs 18-25 kg, stands 48-53 cm, and lives 13-15 years.
Consider this breed if…
you want a gentle, patient family dog that is good with kids,
you can give it a solid daily walk plus some training or work,
you value an easy-to-train, soft-natured companion,
you are willing to wait for a puppy from a rare breed.
Do not consider this breed if…
you want a dog available quickly and locally,
you cannot commit to daily exercise and mental activity,
you want a bold guard dog rather than a friendly companion,
long, regular days home alone are unavoidable.
A typical day with a Stabyhoun
- 6:30 · MorningGood 45-60 min walk or off-leash run
- 9:00 · MidmorningRests calmly around the house
- 12:30 · NoonShort walk or a bit of training
- 16:00 · AfternoonFetch, scent games, or family time
- 18:30 · EveningSecond walk or a shared activity
- 21:00 · NightSettles quietly as a house companion
Family and environment
Kids Excellent
Patient and gentle; one of the better breeds with children.
Dogs Good
Friendly and sociable with other dogs.
Cats Good
Usually fine, especially when raised together.
Apartment Conditional
Workable with enough daily exercise and company.
House with a yard Suitable
A yard and family life suit this farm dog well.
City Conditional
Adaptable with enough activity.
Countryside Ideal
Space and outdoor work match its origins.
Health data provided by RealVetCost Overall health burden Light
Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.
View the full health profileTop health concerns
Dental Disease Very common; routine brushing and cleanings help
Hip Dysplasia Screen breeding stock; signs often from 1-2 years
Chronic Ear Infections Ears need regular checking and cleaning
Progressive Retinal Atrophy Inherited; DNA test available
Similar breeds - by reason
Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.
Related Frisian farm and water dog
Wetterhound
A rugged Dutch water dog, self-reliant and loyal - reserved with strangers and happiest with space and water.
View profile →
Versatile gundog of similar size and role
Small Munsterlander
An affectionate, versatile pointing dog that thrives on work and company - ideal for hunters and active families, poor for sedentary homes.
View profile →
Friendly, trainable versatile hunting dog
Brittany Spaniel
A bright, tireless bird dog and affectionate family companion for active homes - its high energy quickly overwhelms sedentary owners.
View profile →Frequently asked questions
How much does a Stabyhoun cost?
The Stabyhoun is genuinely rare, with only a few thousand worldwide, so most buyers join a waitlist through a breed club and puppies commonly run about $1,000-$2,000, sometimes with import costs from the Netherlands. It is a fairly healthy, long-lived breed, but over a 13-15 year life food and routine vet care still add up to several thousand dollars, so plan for the full lifetime cost rather than just the purchase.
Are Stabyhouns good family dogs?
Yes, this is one of their strengths. They are gentle, patient, and known for being reliable with children. They bond closely with their family and are eager to please, which makes them easy to live with. They do need daily exercise and company, so they suit an involved household rather than one that is out all day.
Are Stabyhouns easy to train?
Generally yes. They are intelligent, willing, and soft-natured, so they respond well to gentle, consistent, reward-based training. The flip side is that they are sensitive and do not take harsh handling well, which can make them shut down. Patient, positive methods get the best from the breed.
Is the Stabyhoun hard to find?
Yes. It is one of the rarer dog breeds in the world, carefully managed by breed clubs to protect a small gene pool. Expect waitlists, limited litters, and possibly importing from Europe. Buying only through a recognized breed club is strongly advised to avoid poorly bred dogs.