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{{Infobox dog breed 
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|name= Wetterhoun<br/>Frisian Water Dog
|image= Fryzyjski pies wodny u68.jpg
|image_caption= Black and white Wetterhoun
|altname= Otterhoun
|country= [[Netherlands]]
<!-----Kennel club standards----->
| kc_name     = [[Dutch Kennel Club]]
| kc_std      = https://www.houdenvanhonden.nl/hondenrassen/alle-rassen/fci-groep-8/nederlandse-kooikerhondje/
| fcistd      = http://www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/221g08-en.pdf
|note= 
|}}  <!-- End Infobox -->

The '''Wetterhoun''' (translated into English as the '''Frisian Water Dog''') is a [[dog breed|breed]] traditionally used as a [[hunting dog]] for [[Game (hunting)|small game]] and [[Anseriformes|waterfowl]] and native to the province of [[Friesland]] in the [[Netherlands]]. The name of the breed comes from the [[West Frisian language|West Frisian]] ''Wetterhûn'', meaning "[[water dog]]." The plural of Wetterhoun is ''Wetterhounen'' in Frisian. The breed may also be called the ''Otterhoun'' (not to be confused with the [[Otterhound]]) or ''Dutch Spaniel'', although it is not a [[Spaniel]]-[[dog type|type]] dog.

== Appearance ==
The Wetterhoun is a medium-sized dog, measuring at 55-59 centimeters (21.6-23 inches) at the [[withers]] and weighing between 25 and 35 kilos (55 and 77 pounds) at maturity. Their [[coat (dog)|coat]] is thick and curly except for the head, ears, and legs, where it is smoother in texture; the water repellant coat is described as feeling oily to the touch. Coat colour may be solid black or brown, black and white, or brown and white, with or without [[ticking]] or [[Roan (color)|roaning]]. The texture of the coat should not be woolly, as such hair is not water repellent. The ears are low-set and hang flat to the head, and the tail curls tightly over the back. The breed has an unusual, somewhat stern expression due to the shape of the eyes,<ref name="standard">[http://www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/221g08-en.pdf Fédération Cynologique Internationale]</ref> which distinguishes this breed from others.<ref name ="history">[http://www.nvsw.nl/index.php?sp=21 History in brief (in Dutch)]</ref><ref>[http://www.dwvn.nl/wetterhoun History in English]{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

== History ==
The first Wetterhouns lived at least 400 years ago in the [[Netherlands|Dutch]] [[province]] of Friesland. The breed is believed to have originated from [[Romani people|Romani]] dogs, crossed with an indigenous Frisian dog, perhaps the now extinct Old Water Dog.<ref>Grandjean, Dominique, DVM. ''The Royal Canin Dog Encyclopedia.'' Paris, France: Aniwa Publishing, 2000. {{ISBN|2-7476-0010-6}}</ref> Dogs of this type were kept for the difficult and dangerous hunting of [[European polecat|fitch]] (''Mustela putorius'') and [[otter]] (''Lutra lutra'') in the water.<ref name ="history" /> The dogs were also used for retrieving [[waterfowl]] and served as watch dogs. Although the dogs almost disappeared during World War II, fanciers were able to bring the breed back through careful breeding, and it has since gained popularity.<ref name ="history" /> 
[[File:Wetterhond.jpg|thumb|left|A Wetterhoun [[puppy]]]]
Databases are maintained by the Nederlandse Vereniging voor Stabij- en Wetterhounen<ref>[http://www.nvsw.nl Nederlandse Vereniging voor Stabij- en Wetterhounen (in Dutch)]</ref> (The Dutch Club for the Stabij and Wetterhoun) for assessing pedigrees and computing inbreeding coefficients.

Internationally, the breed is recognised by the [[Fédération Cynologique Internationale]] in the water dogs section of Group 8. The [[United Kennel Club]] recognises the breed in the gun dog group. The breed is also recognised by a number of minor registries, hunting clubs, and internet-based dog registry businesses and promoted as a [[rare breed (dog)|rare breed]] for those seeking an unusual pet.

== Temperament ==
The Wetterhoun is an excellent [[gun dog]], effectively retrieving across both land and water; however, its strong will and natural guarding abilities make early training imperative.<ref>Fogle, Bruce. ''The New Encyclopedia of the Dog.'' New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2000. {{ISBN|978-0-7894-6130-8}}</ref> The [[breed standard (dogs)|breed standard]] describes the Wetterhoun as reserved, remarking that it is "the ideal guard dog,"<ref name="standard" /> despite never being aggressive and enjoying the company of its family.

Although it is described as strong willed, the Wetterhoun is never stubborn or willfully disobedient. They do demonstrate tenacity and a desire to complete tasks, no matter the challenge. They remain focused to complete whatever they believe to be their task. The breed is sensitive and should never be treated harshly or trained using punishment. Give proper socialisation and exposure to different people, animals, and environments in early life, the Wetterhoun is extremely tolerant—so much so that adults should be mindful that children do not take advantage of the Wetterhoun's gentle nature.

==See also==
* [[Portal:Dogs|Dogs portal]]
* [[List of dog breeds]]

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{commons category|Wetterhond}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090318161857/http://www.dmoz.org/Recreation/Pets/Dogs/Breeds/ Search The Open Directory Project (DMOZ) links for clubs and information about the Wetterhoun]
{{Gundogs}}
{{Dutch dogs}}

[[Category:FCI breeds]]
[[Category:Dog breeds originating in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Gundogs]]
[[Category:Water dogs]]
[[Category:Rare dog breeds]]