Puppies from the ‘world’s rarest dog breed’ born in UK for the first time (and you could snap one up – for £1,500!)
This adorable litter of Wetterhoun puppies is the first group to be born in the UK.
Until last week there were just four members of the rare hunting breed in Britain.
Mike and Nicky Jan, who live in Dorchester, Dorset, fell in love with the Wetterhoun after buying Aafke, a female, in the summer of 2020.
Nicky, 63, found the perfect breeding partner for Aafke in six-year-old Lex who lived 450 miles away in Heteren, Holland.
The UK Wetterhoun and Stabyhoun Association is advising Nicky and Mike to offer the puppies for £1,500 each.
Mike and Nicky Jan, who live in Dorchester, Dorset, have revealed their dog has produced the first group of Wetterhoun puppies born in the UK
The UK Wetterhoun and Stabyhoun Association is advising Nicky and Mike to offer the puppies for £1,500 each
The couple fell in love with the Wetterhoun after buying Aafke, a female, in the summer of 2020
During the Second World War the breed almost disappeared completely after German occupation of the Netherlands.
Concentrated breeding efforts in the 1950s managed to bring the Wetterhoun back from the brink, but they still only number 1,000 worldwide today.
With such a limited worldwide population it took the couple a while to find a suitable male.
The new litter has tripled the UK population and a waiting list has begun to offer the rare pups loving homes.
Retired clinical scientist Nicky: ‘First and foremost we are looking for loving family homes for these puppies but we are also interested in hearing from people who might be up for the challenge of having their own litter of Wetterhoun puppies one day.
‘We are hoping to continue to build a healthy population in this country which is very exciting.
‘The last week has been very intense and we’re really pleased with the amount of interest there has been in the puppies.
‘If we can generate some interest and start to form a network of good homes in Britain that will be amazing.’
The new litter has tripled the UK population and a waiting list has begun to offer the rare pups loving homes
The species was originally bred 400 years ago in the Netherlands for hunting small game and waterfowl
Concentrated breeding efforts in the 1950s managed to bring the Wetterhoun back from the brink, but they still only number 1,000 worldwide today
The breed is gaining popularity again due to its entertaining and loyal natures (pictured, the adorable litter)
The species was originally bred 400 years ago in the Netherlands for hunting small game and waterfowl.
The breed is gaining popularity again due to its entertaining and loyal natures.
Jane Moss, breeding advisor for the UK Wetterhoun Association, said: ‘We are hoping that in the next decade we might see the Wetterhoun population rise to 50 to 100 in the UK.
‘This litter is brilliant news and a huge boost for the breed to continue bouncing back.
Jane Moss, breeding advisor for the UK Wetterhoun Association, said the litter of puppies was ‘brilliant news’
‘It’s very early days but with careful placement we hope this litter can provide a bright future for the Wetterhoun in Britain.
‘We think that the population dropped so much in the Second World War because interest just wasn’t there for the breed.
‘We are looking for good homes for the puppies and the process will be carefully done so that they go to the best homes.’
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