At a glance the quick version
Coat and looks how to spot one
medium, feathered
A well-balanced, muscular gundog with a dense, straight coat over a water-resistant undercoat, longer on the ears and neck and feathered on the legs and tail.13
Personality what they are like
A friendly, loyal and clever dog that bonds closely with its family and is known for being sweet with children. It is fairly easy-going indoors and keen and cooperative in the field.132
Daily activity how busy a day looks
A working gundog that needs regular exercise and enjoys outlets such as field work, retrieving and swimming.12
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
The dense coat does well with regular brushing, paying attention to the feathering.1
Company who they like around
Strongly attached to its household and happiest when included in family life.2
The story where it all began
The Drent descends from spaniel-type dogs that reached the Netherlands from Spain via France in the 16th century. Farmers in rural Drenthe kept the type pure for centuries as an all-round hunting and farm dog, and it was officially recognised in 1943. It is related to the Small Münsterländer and the Epagneul Français.132
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
When a Drent catches the scent of game, its tail often swings in a circular motion.1
- 2
Dogs of this type appear in 17th-century Dutch paintings, such as Gabriel Metsu's The Hunter's Present.2
- 3
Unlike many continental pointers, the Drent keeps its natural full tail.4
- 4
It was bred by farmers for farmers, expected to hunt both fur and feather and help around the farm.4
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 224, Group 7 Pointing Dogs, Section 1.2 Continental pointing dogs, Spaniel type; standard dated 04.04.2016.1
- Raad van Beheer (Dutch Kennel Club)
- Officially recognised on 15 May 1943.1
- UKC
- Gun Dog Group; recognised 1 January 1996.3
- AKC
- Foundation Stock Service since November 2010.2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Drentse Patrijshond. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 7every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- FCI Standard no. 224: Drentsche Patrijshond fci.beused for recognition, size, weight, coat, colour, temperament, history, tail motion
- Wikipedia: Drentse Patrijshond en.wikipedia.orgused for names, AKC FSS, temperament, paintings (secondary)
- UKC: Drentsche Patrijshond breed standard ukcdogs.comused for recognition, height, coat, colour, temperament
- AKC: Drentsche Patrijshond akc.orgused for farm-dog background, tail
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.