The Drentsche Patrijshond is a versatile spaniel-type hunting dog from The Netherlands province of Drenthe. Called the Dutch Partridge Dog (or "Drent" for Drenthe) in English, approximately 5,000 dogs are registered with the breed club in the Netherlands, and breed clubs operate in Belgium, Denmark and Norway. A small number of American breeders have recently introduced the dog to the United States, where it is marketed as a rare breed. The Drentsche Patrijshond bears some resemblance to both spaniel and setter types of dog. An excellent Pointer and retriever, this dog is often used to hunt fowl and adapts equally well to the field or marshes. 

History

 The origins of the Drentsche Patrijshond are in the 16th century, from the Spioenen (or Spanjoelen) which came to the Netherlands through France from Spain, and is related to the Small Münsterländer of Germany and the Epagneul Français of France. In the Netherlands, these dogs were called partridge dogs. The presence of the partridge dogs had been visible for centuries, as in the 17th century painting The Hunter's Present, c. 1658-60, by Gabriel Metsu. In the painting, the partridge dog leans against the hunter's knee, as the man is handing a woman a partridge, which was a double entendre at the time.  The dog in The Hunter's Present is a very large, stocky dog that could possibly pull a cart; showing the range of the early type, a much smaller, lighter dog of the same type is shown in another painting by the same artist, The Poultry seller, 1662. This painting also involves a woman being offered a bird, regarded with suspicion by her dog. Before formal recognition as a modern breed in 1943, the type had been kept separate from other dogs as an undocumented breed for centuries in the rural province of Drenthe.  As the Drentsche Patrijshond is a breed developed in the Netherlands, the breed standard was first developed and approved in 1943 by the Raad van Beheer op Kynologisch Gebied (Dutch Kennel Club), the Fédération Cynologique Internationale national kennel club for the Netherlands. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale recognised the breed using the standard developed by the breed's country of origin as the standard to be used in international competition. The United Kennel Club in the United States also recognises the breed using the original (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) standard. None of the other major kennel clubs in the English speaking world currently recognise the Drentsche Patrijshond/Dutch Partridge Dog, although the breed is also recognised by various minor kennel clubs and internet-based dog registry businesses.

Appearance and Size

Valid color is white with brown or orange markings. Mostly white with large brown plates (spots.) There is usually one plate that covers the backside above the tail. Tricoloured, with the addition of tan markings, is permissible. A mantle (large making across the back) is permissible, but generally less desired. The Drentsche Patrijshond is 55 to 63 cm (22 to 25 in) at the withers. 

Personality

Though the breed shows a strong hunting instinct in the field, and can be quite driven, these dogs tend to be more relaxed in the home than many of the hunting breeds. They are strongly attached to family members, loyal, and of sweet disposition, particularly with children. 

Wikipedia and GNU

The content of this entry is from the Wikipedia article "Drentse Patrijshond" licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.