Belongs to breed group: 7, Pointing dogs.
Country of origin: Drenthe, Netherlands.
History
The breed evolved in the 16th century from spaniel breeds that came from Spain via France. In the Netherlands, they were called “raphounds.” In the eastern part of the country, especially in the province of Drenthe, these dogs were kept purebred and not crossed with foreign breeds, as was done elsewhere. Drentsche Patrijshonden can be seen in paintings from the 17th century, especially in places like the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. In 1943, the breed was officially recognized by the Dutch Kennel Club. The Dutch breed club “Vereniging de Drentsche Patrijshond” (VDP) was founded in 1948, and the “Drentsche Patrijshonden club Nederland” (DPHCN) was formed in 2014.
Utility
The Drentsche Patrijshond is a continental pointing dog. It is an amiable hunting dog due to its obedience and interest in game, its natural pointing instinct, and its willingness to retrieve. It is known for maintaining excellent contact with its handler during hunting. This trait is also appreciated when the dog is not actively hunting. The breed needs an outlet for its energy. If not used for hunting, the dog should be allowed to expend its energy and exercise needs in other ways.
The breed was also used as a farm dog and could assist with various tasks on the farm, such as guarding, herding, and pulling milk carts, among other duties. They guard their territory, making a lot of noise but becoming quiet and greeting warmly when the owner has welcomed the “stranger” in.
Health
It is a generally healthy breed. There are hereditary diseases in the breed but not to a significant extent.
Diseases that may occur include PRA, hip dysplasia, and epilepsy.
Characteristics / Temperament
The Drentsche Patrijshond is valued as both a good hunting companion and a pleasant family dog because of its gentle and friendly temperament. It is obedient and easy to train, so training should be done with a firm but never harsh hand. The breed enjoys working together with its handler, whatever the task, and appreciates having a purpose.
Size and Appearance
The height for males is 58–63 cm, and for females, it is 55–60 cm (+2 cm). The color is white with liver-brown spots, with or without ticking. The coat should not be very long on the body, but it appears longer due to the length of the hair on the ears, the slightly thicker coat on the neck and chest, the fringes on the front and hind legs, and the more abundant hair on the tail.
Coat Care
It has an easy-to-maintain coat that should be brushed once a week, with a little extra attention during shedding periods. Due to its coat structure, the breed is often called self-cleaning because dirt easily falls off once the coat is dry, and the coat becomes white again. However, it is recommended to bathe the dog during shedding periods to help it through; this is about twice a year. The breed usually needs to be trimmed 2-4 times a year, depending on the length of the hair on the fringes, paws, and tail. The breed should not be over-trimmed but only tidied up on the ears, paws, trousers, and tail. Note that if the dog is neutered, extra coat care will be required! The coat then often becomes thicker/fluffier and is easier to mat. Neutering can also disrupt the normal shedding periods, and the dog may need more help to get rid of its shedding coat.
Other
The breed thrives best when working. It is not necessary to hunt with the dog for it to be happy, but it needs the opportunity to expend its energy. The breed excels in activities such as tracking, search work, agility, rally obedience, nose work, and other dog activities besides hunting. The breed may also be perceived as stubborn. Therefore, patience is necessary in all training with a Drent, as with many other hunting dog breeds.