What ABOUT THE HEALTH of the Stabyhoun?
The Stabyhoun is, despite its small population, fortunately a relatively healthy breed. The ASA, the NVSW and Fryske Point do everything to keep it that way. Nevertheless, we see certain diseases more or less occurring regularly. The breeding program of our association, the ASA, is aimed to reduce these occurrences as much as possible. It is not easy because the causes are not always clear and strictly hereditary. It would be unwise to exclude too many dogs from our breeding program, because then we stand to lose genetic material. Too few dogs inevitably results in a higher inbreeding percentage, which can lead to more genetic health problems. So there is a definite challenge in making smart matches!
Below are the problems that are known to the Stabyhoun breed along with how often (or how little) they occur in the population, and how we attempt to deal with it in our breeding program.
Hip dysplasia (HD)
Hip dysplasia is a developmental disorder of the hip joints caused by both genetic factors and environmental factors. Symptoms include difficulty getting up and lameness in the hindquarters. HD can be determined by making radiographs of the hip joints. An HD-A (Excellent or Good) result is the best, HD-E (Severe) the worst. How often does it occur: about 3 to 4 times a year radiographic HD D in a Staby is clinically observed in Holland, however, these are rarely formally reported. Only a very few times lameness is seen that an operation was necessary. HD-E has only been recorded once in Holland over the past 10 years. The breeding regulation of the ASA: HD radiographs are required. Results of A and B (Excellent, Good or Fair) may be bred with dogs receiving the equivalent ratings. Read more detailed information on Hip Dysplasia
Elbow dysplasia (ED)
Elbow
dysplasia is a collective name for the three types of
developmental elbow joints caused by both genetic and
environmental factors. Sufferers
exhibit lameness in the front legs. ED
sufferers can be determined by x-ray, while carriers. How
common is it: average
3 to 4 times a year ED is reported in a Staby, often
recognized by a lame walk; dogs must then often need
surgery. There
is a good prognosis if intervened in time. The
breeding regulation of the ASA: ED
radiographs are required.
Proven sufferers and carriers should
not be bred (a proven carrier is a dog that has passed the
same condition in 2 different litters).
Immediate family of a sufferer not be combined with dogs
who also have sufferers in their direct family lineage. Read
detailed information about Elbow Dysplasia
Epilepsy
In epilepsy, a fault in the brain suddenly occurs, and the dog loses control over a part of his body: he falls down and gets violent muscle spasms, foaming at the mouth can occur and he can lose control over his urine or feces. However, there are also milder forms of expression. Epilepsy can be hereditary but also can be caused by environmental factors. The hereditary form reveals itself in the Staby usually around two years of age. How often do we see this: on average, four reports per year are seen in Holland. Before the breeding regulation was established there, epilepsy was more common. The breeding regulation of the ASA: preventive research on carriers is not possible. Proven sufferers and carriers should not be bred (a proven carrier is a dog has passed that same condition in 2 different litters). Immediate family of a sufferer not be combined with dogs who also have sufferers in their direct family lineage. Read detailed information about epilepsy
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
This
is a heart condition. The
veterinarian can hear this condition on the left side of
the heart at the age of 6 to 7 weeks. It sounds like a
loud engine noise. The cause is that a major
blood vessel does not proper close shortly after birth. The
occurrence may be spontaneous and an isolated case, but it
is also genetically determined.
If not treated, the patient eventually
dies from heart failure. With timely surgery, the prognosis is excellent.
How common is it: PDA is found in 2
to 3 litters a year in Holland although that
number seems to be on the rise some. There is additional
extensive investigation being done in collaboration with
the University of Utrecht. The
breeding regulation
of the ASA: preventive
research on carriers is not possible.
Proven sufferers and carriers should
not be bred (a
proven carrier is a dog has passed that same condition
in 2 different litters).
Immediate family of a sufferer not
be combined with dogs who also
have sufferers in their direct family lineage. Read detailed information about PDA
Neurological disorder
Thia ia a relatively new problem, for which we have not yet found the cause, however we assume it to be a hereditary problem. Around 6 weeks, puppies exhibit a compulsive deviant behavior: always repeating the same movement, circling, reversing direction, or walking back and forth. Sufferers have an excessive urge to move, eat poorly, becoming emaciated and dying within a few months. How common is it: it's so far been detected in only five litters. The breeding regulation of the ASA: because we do not know what it is or how it is inherited, stricter breeding rules apply to family members of sufferers than in other diseases. Research is being conducted into the cause, in collaboration with the University of Utrecht. Read more detailed information about the neurological problem
VWD, Type I (VWD)
VWD
is a bleeding disorder that occurs in 3 types. The
Type I, the mildest form, has been detected in the Staby. Here
there is a reduced production of a specific coagulation
factor causing dogs to bleed for an extended time. Owners
often do not notice this with their dog. Carriers
have little to no risk, but sufferers can have problems if
severely wounded or run into problems during surgery.
There is a DNA test available to sufferers, and carriers
can be identified. How
common is it: roughly
a quarter of the Staby population is free of VWD, half are
carriers and a quarter are sufferers. Clinical
symptoms are rarely reported. The
breeding regulation
of the ASA:
there is no breeding policy for VWD; the
DNA test is not required as there have been no reported
problems, even with the sufferers. Read more detailed information about
Von Willebrands Disease
Other health problems are sporadically reported which we can not always determine whether it is an isolated case or whether it is genetic. These dogs should not be bred in any case.
Overall picture
A simple, powerfully built, long-haired pointing dog, more stretched than high, not too big and nor too fine. The skin must be properly tensioned and the dog should not show dewlap or pendulous lips.

Notes to overall picture:
"Simple" means: an artless appearance, without anatomical frills. The coat is of medium length. A 'pointing' dog is a hunting dog, which detects the prey and designates its location to the hunter by remaining still. The Stabyhoun is a strong sturdy dog, not too big, clumsy or cumbersome, but certainly not too fine. "Dry" means that the skin does not exhibit folds, but it fits closely to the body.
Head
The head is 'dry' and sized in proportion to the body, having more length than width. Skull and muzzle are of equal length. The skull is slightly rounded, not narrow, but without giving the impression of being wide and comes with a slight curve on the cheeks (cheek muscles underdeveloped). The transition of the skull to muzzle, known as the stop, is gradual and only moderately marked. The muzzle is powerful, tapering gradually to the nose. The nose is straight, so seen from the side no bumps or dips in the line. The nose is wide and the nostril is wide open. The lips tightly closed, not pendulous. Teeth strong and scissoring.

Explanation:
'dry' means a tight-fitting skin without wrinkles. A scissor bite is a bite, the upper teeth to the lower incisors slide with closed mouth.
For more about the entire breed standard, go to . . .
Ameri-Can Stabyhoun Association to read the full Breed Standard.