Drentsche Patrijshond
The Drentsche Patrijshond is one of the Netherlands' oldest and most versatile gun dogs — a pointing, retrieving, and tracking breed that has hunted in the Drenthe province for centuries.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
Netherlands
Lifespan
12–13 years
Weight
20–30 kg (44–66 lbs)
Height
55–63 cm (22–25 in)
Exercise
40 to 60 min/day
Diet
Omnivore — high-quality food appropriate for an active gun dog.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
The Story
The Drentsche Patrijshond is one of the Netherlands' oldest and most versatile gun dogs — a pointing, retrieving, and tracking breed that has hunted in the Drenthe province for centuries. Gentle and calm at home but tireless in the field, the Drent is an excellent family and hunting companion. It is rare outside the Netherlands and Scandinavia. The breed's combination of versatility (pointing, flushing, and retrieving), gentle temperament, and moderate exercise needs makes it an excellent all-purpose dog.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
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Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
A medium-large, well-proportioned sporting dog with a slightly wavy, dense coat. White with brown (liver) patches, often with ticking. Long, pendant ears with slightly wavy hair. A broad, wedge-shaped head with a gentle expression.
Grooming
Moderate
Shedding
Moderate
Brushing
2-3x-Weekly
Bathing
Every-4-6-Weeks
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Gentle, loyal, and sociable — equally at home as a family pet or working hunting dog. Excellent with children and other dogs. Relatively calm indoors for a sporting breed. Easy to train with positive methods.
Personality Scores
Adaptability
4/5Attention Need
3/5Friendliness
5/5Playfulness
4/5Protectiveness
2/5Living Profile
Ideal Space
House-Small-Garden
Daily Exercise
40 to 60 min/day
Ideal Weather
0°C to 25°C
Cognitive Benchmarks
Adaptability
40%
Attention
30%
Playfulness
40%
Communication Style
Stress Signals
clinginess, restlessness, barking
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •1.5–2 hours exercise daily — needs genuine outdoor activity, not just garden time. Brushing 2–3 times weekly. Ear cleaning weekly — long pendant ears are prone to infection.
Nutrition Notes
Healthy Dutch partridge dog. Few dietary restrictions. Joint supplements.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Senior Care
Hip dysplasia. PRA (CSNB). Ear infections. Dutch partridge dog. Gentle, trainable. 12-14 years.
Wellbeing Activities
Nutrition & Sustenance
Daily Calories (Adult)
1100 kcal
Daily Calories (Young)
800 kcal
Recommended Foods
Foods to Avoid
Health Overview
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) — hereditary eye testing recommended. Hip dysplasia. Generally a healthy, robust breed.
Common Conditions
Price Estimates
Pricing Guide
Average estimates as of 2025
Dutch partridge dog. India: unavailable.
Purchase Price
$1,200 to $2,500
Adoption Fee
$100 to $400
Data from 2025
Fun Facts
The Drentsche Patrijshond is one of the few gun dog breeds that is classified by the FCI as both a pointer AND a retriever — its versatility in the field at all hunting tasks is a defining characteristic.
In the Netherlands the Drent is valued as a family dog rather than just a hunting specialist — its gentle temperament and moderate maintenance makes it the Netherlands' favourite all-round dog for active families.
