Short history of the Friese stabij
Source: NVSW
Originally the Stabij, as well as the Wetterhoun, comes from Friesland (a region in the North of Holland) mainly from the Friese Forrest Area (in the east and south-east of Friesland). Probably the breed already excists since 1800 and it was officialy recognized by the Kennel Club of Holland in 1942. Probably the ancestors are to be found in the population of the spanjoel (or spaniel), which came to the north during the Spanish Occupation of Holland (ca 1600 AD).
The Stabij is a pointing dog, used for the hunting of the furred and feathered game.
At the time the Stabij was a dog of "the simple man", standing aside at the hunting, worked as a mole- and polecat-catcher. It was also a good watchdog and even used to pul the milk cart.
It is a all-round dog, nowadays mostly held as a companion dog.
Outside of The Netherlands the Stabij wins at popularity in Danmark and Sweden (and Finland). In corporation with the Dutch breed association in these countries they breed on a small scale. In America you can also find some Stabijs.
