An excellent pointer and retriever, this dog is often used to hunt fowl and adapts equally well to the field or marshes.

[1] As the Drentsche Patrijshond is a breed developed in the Netherlands, the breed standard was first developed and approved in 1943 by the Raad van Beheer op Kynologisch Gebied (Dutch Kennel Club), the Fédération Cynologique Internationale national kennel club for the Netherlands.

The local mayor, the farmer, and landowners in general developed dogs to support their pursuit of various small game.

Perfectly suited to the walk-up (upland) hunter, the Drent is thorough, in order to find all the game on the smaller plots available in Drenthe.

As with most European versatile breeds, the Drentsche Patrijshond points and retrieves, and will hunt both birds and small mammals, including rabbit, hare and fox.

Breed health concerns may include progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and hereditary stomatocytosis.

Although it will come home and quietly assume its position on its bed, it should not be mistaken for a sedentary dog - the breed will suffer if insufficiently exercised.