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Following the Dutch Kooikerhondje Association (), the Dutch Association for Stabyhoun and Wetterhoun Breeds ( will now also collaborate with the Expertise Centre for Genetics at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine to develop the Fit2Breed breeding guidance platform for the Frisian Stabyhoun. Like the Kooikerhondje, the Frisian Stabyhoun is part of the living Dutch heritage. That’s one of the reasons the Dinamo Fund supports sustainable breeding policies for these breeds.

Fit2Breed is a platform that breeders can use to find ideal matches between parent dogs, with the aim of producing healthy puppies and preserving genetic diversity within the breed population. The NVSW has been committed for years to thorough tracking of dog pedigrees and breed-specific health issues. With the use of Fit2Breed, new data from DNA testing and genetic markers will now be added. All this information is combined within Fit2Breed, allowing breeders to show that they use all available data to breed responsibly.

Positive Experiences with the Dutch Kooikerhondje

The first Fit2Breed platform was developed for the Dutch Kooikerhondje. Kerstin Ueckert, chair of the VHNK, said: “Fit2Breed has been a great success for the Kooikerhondje. All Kooikerhondjes bred worldwide are registered in the program. Over 500 breeders use Fit2Breed. It’s a new program, and it did take some adjustment for breeders to get used to it. That’s why we organized information evenings and work sessions. There is good cooperation among the breed associations for Dutch breeds. The experience gained with the Kooikerhondje is now being applied to the Frisian Stabyhoun.”

Strong Support for Fit2Breed

Riemie Lasker, secretary of the NVSW, said: “Sharing experiences from the Kooikerhondje platform was really helpful, because it gave us practical insight into what it takes to get started with Fit2Breed. The NVSW is a highly active association with many enthusiastic members who are deeply devoted to their dogs and prioritize the breed’s health—now and in the future. During our general members' meeting, Fit2Breed was approved by a large majority.”

Healthy Puppies, Healthy Population

Hille Fieten, coordinator of the Expertise Centre for Genetics at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, is thrilled with the positive commitment shown by the breed associations. “Thanks to collaboration with the VHNK, Fit2Breed became a success for the Kooikerhondje. We’ve also previously worked with the NVSW—for example, on research into the neurological disorder Cerebral Dysfunction and the congenital heart defect PDAB (Persistent Ductus Arteriosus Botalli). Now we’re teaming up again to bring all this knowledge together to responsibly breed future generations of Dutch dog breeds. This is really fantastic news.”

Prevention Is Better than Cure

Veterinarians are seeing more genetic disorders in purebred dogs—many of which could be avoided through healthier breeding practices. The Expertise Centre for Genetics aims to address this through scientific research and practical solutions, following the motto: prevention is better than cure.

Vital Support from Dinamo Fund via Vrienden Diergeneeskunde

The development of Fit2Breed for the Frisian Stabyhoun wouldn’t have been possible without support from partners and donors of , including the  (website in Dutch). Everyone involved is also thankful to the Foundation for Rare Domestic Breeds, which connected the NVSW with the Dinamo Fund. The Dinamo Fund advocates for preserving our living environment—animals, nature, and monuments alike.