 Sharing one of my favorite photos of Ila taken by the wonderful Michael van der Burg in the Netherlands She's absolutely not perfect, but shhhh, don't tell her that Another weekend of dog shows has come and gone, this one during which I showed ALL my breeds (like a crazy person) at a venue with no cell service (probably for the best), so I had ample time to really watch dogs in different breeds and in various groups, and it really is amazing the thoughtful and intentional breeding that goes into purebred dog fancy. And per usual, I got the most inquries about the Drents, which is normal when most people have never seen one. Judges often stop and ask me what Caper is, what group the breed will eventually move into, and what the most important things about the breed are. Many judges donate their time and use judging open shows as an educational opportunity, which us rare breed folks very much appreciate But I suppose if I had to pick 3 things about the Drent that really make them unique it would be: . Size and Substance: the Drent is not a small dog. Males should be 22.8-24.8 inches tall and 65-75 lbs, and females 21.6-23.6 inches tall and 55-65 lbs. The standard does allow for a small deviation upwards as long as the dog remains in balance. In my opinion, this is not negotiable. This should be a dog with substance and bone, a characteristic that sets them apart from other "comparable" breeds like the Small Munsterlander or French Spaniel. In direct comparison the Drent will look substantial when standing next to them, but not massive like a Clumber Spaniel. 2. Head: the Drent is absolutely a head breed. It should be a wedge on a wedge, with the wedge shaped muzzle slightly shorter than the skull. The stop should be marked and eyebrow arches are well developed. There should be fill under the eye and in the cheek. The eye shape and color matters immensely. A round eye will give a harsh expression, as will an eye too light in color. This construction leads to the Drents unique and rather pleasing expresion which we have written about before HERE. 3. Coat: The Drent's coat is not a long coat, but it gives the impression of being longer because of the density and texture. In mature dogs, there should be furnishings the neck and feathered trousers. The hair on the back is not flat - it should have texture with some wave, and the tail should be richly feathered on all sides. One of the most unique features of the breed is the brushy "corn cob" tail, which should have hair wrapping around itself. The "brushy" tail is a truely unique feature of the breed, and most Drents don't even have the ideal presentation - making the few with this feature a bit of a unicorn. The hair should "wrap" around. In my mind's eye, it will resemble twisted decorative iron work with hair twisting one way, and then in another. Most often a Drent will have this wrapping at the base of the tail for a few inches then the tail go more or less "fox brush". The tail hair should not be hanging long as to create a flag tail. For point of reference, our dogs are/were as follows: Powder is 23.2" at the withers and 63 pounds Tule is 22" at the withers and 59 pounds Ila is 22.5" at the withers and 62 pounds Caper is 22.5" at the withers and 60 pounds. Fowler was 24.5" at the withers and 73 pounds Paxson was 25" at the withers and 74 pounds 
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The breed standard of the Drentsche Patrijshond doesn’t state it outright, but the Drent is a “head breed”. So, what does that mean, being a “head breed”? The details of the head are what defines a Drent. It is these details individually, and in summary that separates the Drent from the German Longhaired Pointer, Small Munsterlander, French Spaniel, or other somewhat similar white and brown piebald continental hunting dog from western Europe. Another element not mentioned in the breed standard that all true fanciers can and will go on and on about is the “expression of the Drent”. The expression of the Drent is the summary of all the details of the breed standard referencing the head; eye set, shape and color, ear set, muzzle length and proportion to skull, stop, nose bridge, and so forth all coming together in balance to create the classic look of the Drent; calm, warm, inviting and intelligent. A correct expression is defining of the Drentsche Patrijshond, much in the way that correct coat defines a German Wirehaired Pointer. Once you know what the correct expression of a Drent is, you cannot unsee it. Here is Bono Cooper v. d. Bezelhonk for reference.  |
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