People usually look up the Wetterhoun when they’re trying to work out whether this rare Dutch water dog will suit their home: the grooming, the exercise load, the temperament, and the health risks that can quietly shape life with the breed.
The Wetterhoun is sturdy, curly-coated and built for cold water and hard work. It can be calm in the house, watchful outdoors, and somewhat self-directed in training—so the fit depends less on “is it friendly?” and more on whether you can offer steady handling, space, and a routine that keeps a clever working dog settled.
Height: 55–59 cm at the withers (ideal: males ~59 cm, females ~55 cm)1
Weight: roughly 28 kg (females) to 34 kg (males), with variation by line and condition2
Coat: dense, firm curls with a naturally greasy feel; water-repellent (not woolly)3
Colour: solid black or brown, or black/brown with white markings; ticking/roan can occur4
Temperament: affectionate with family, watchful at home, can be reserved with strangers; typically self-willed rather than eager-to-please3, 5
Energy level: moderate to high (working-dog heritage; needs daily outlets)5
Life span: commonly around 11–13 years (individuals vary)5
Health concerns: hip dysplasia is a key focus in breeding programs; ear and skin trouble can flare if moisture is trapped after swimming2, 6
Exercise needs: daily walks plus free running/sniffing time; swimming suits the breed when managed safely5
Training: consistent, calm, reward-based work; early socialisation matters5
History: a Frisian water dog built for wet work
The Wetterhoun (also called the Frisian Water Dog) comes from Friesland in the north of the Netherlands, a region of canals, lakes and low fields. For centuries it was kept as a practical all-rounder: a hunting dog used on and around water, and a steady yard dog at home.2, 5
Historically, sources describe the breed being used for demanding quarry such as otter and polecat, along with retrieving waterfowl and controlling vermin. Those jobs shaped the dog you see today: square-built, physically tough, and able to push on through cold water and thick cover.2, 5
Appearance: square, muscular, and tightly curled
The Wetterhoun is a medium-sized, powerfully made dog with a distinctive “astrakhan” curl over most of the body. The head and legs carry shorter hair, while the body is covered in dense curls that feel coarse and slightly oily to the touch—part of what makes the coat water resistant.3, 4
The tail is long and typically carried in a firm curl over, or beside, the croup. It’s a hallmark feature in breed standards and one of the quickest ways to recognise a Wetterhoun at a distance.3, 4
Coat colours (what “normal” looks like)
- Solid black or solid brown
- Black with white markings, or brown with white markings
- Ticking/roaning may be present
Coat that looks or feels “woolly” is considered undesirable in standards because it doesn’t shed water the same way as the correct, coarse curl.4
Temperament: devoted, watchful, and a little self-contained
In the home, many Wetterhounen are quiet and settled once their daily needs are met. They tend to be watchful rather than noisy, and may be reserved with strangers at first without being timid. That reserve is part of the breed’s traditional role as a property guardian in rural life.3, 5
They’re often described as self-willed. In plain terms: they can think for themselves, and they may not repeat a drill just because you asked nicely. Training usually goes best when it’s calm, consistent, and worth their while.3, 5
Training and exercise: steady work beats endless repetition
A Wetterhoun doesn’t need frantic exercise, but it does need daily purpose. Long walks with time to sniff, short training sessions, and opportunities to use its body (including swimming, when appropriate) tend to suit the breed better than high-pressure, high-repetition drilling.5
What usually works well
- Reward-based training (food, play, access to something the dog wants), with clear boundaries.
- Early socialisation to different people, dogs, surfaces and places—kept gentle and controlled.
- Short, regular sessions that finish before the dog mentally checks out.
Health: what to watch, and what breeders test for
No breed is problem-free, and “rare” doesn’t automatically mean “healthy”. For Wetterhounen, hip dysplasia is a recognised concern and is specifically targeted in breeding requirements by Dutch breed organisations.2
Ear trouble can also become a pattern in any dog that swims regularly, especially those with hanging ears and a dense coat that holds moisture nearby. The risk isn’t the swimming itself—it’s the damp ear canal afterwards.6, 7
Quick health checks that matter in real life
- Ask for hip scores/results for both parents (and ideally a broader family picture), not just verbal reassurance.2
- After swimming, dry the ears and watch for head shaking, scratching, odour, redness or discharge—common early signs of otitis externa.7
- Keep the coat properly dried after water play, especially in cool weather, to reduce skin irritation from trapped moisture.6
Grooming: less “fluffy salon”, more “working coat”
The Wetterhoun coat is designed to function. Heavy bathing and over-brushing can strip oils and change the texture that helps it shed water. In practice, most owners do best with light, regular maintenance: removing debris, checking the skin, and keeping the dog clean without constantly “de-greasing” the coat.2, 3
Focus on the practical zones: ears after water, paws after muddy walks, and any areas where the coat stays damp. If you’re unsure, a groomer who understands water-dog coats (rather than aiming for a fluffy finish) is worth seeking out.
Working ability: hunting, retrieving, and the love of water
FCI places the Wetterhoun in Group 8 (Retrievers, Flushing Dogs and Water Dogs). That classification reflects what the breed was shaped to do: work in wet environments, track scent, and retrieve when trained.1, 5
Even as a family dog, those instincts can surface as strong interest in scent trails, a willingness to push into reeds and scrub, and a natural confidence around water—especially in adults who’ve been introduced sensibly.
Family life: best with space, routine, and respectful handling
With sensible socialisation and supervision, Wetterhounen can live well with children and other animals, particularly when raised with them. Their solid build can make them a bit clumsy in play, so calm boundaries and kid-safe handling matter more than the dog’s “patience”.2, 5
This is not usually a breed for people who want a highly compliant dog that greets everyone like a long-lost friend. It tends to suit households that like a dog with presence: quiet, watchful, and deeply bonded to its own people.
References
- Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) — Wetterhoun (No. 221) breed listing
- Raad van Beheer (Houden van Honden) — Wetterhoun (breed information, health and care)
- MilouChouchou — Frisian Water Dog (Wetterhoun) summary of standard (coat, temperament, size)
- United Kennel Club (UKC) — Frisian Water Dog breed standard (coat, colour, height, tail)
- Wikipedia — Wetterhoun (overview, history, appearance)
- Pet Circle — Swimming and dogs (post-swim ear and skin care)
- PAW by Blackmores — Looking after your dog in swimming season (otitis externa risk and signs)
- Friese Hounen Club — Working standard Wetterhoun (history and working traits)
Veterinary Advisor, Veterinarian London Area, United Kingdom