This is a quick video showing some typical Large Munsterlander Gundog

If one was looking for a breed of dog that was built to work, then one doesn’t have to look farther than this athletic dog that is covered in an attractive coat of mottled black and white. The Large Munsterlander gundog is a hard working gundog breed that has all the enthusiasm that one would expect from a hunting dog.

The breed is courageous and is known for their ability to be versatile in the field. They are very intelligent and combined with their eagerness to please, they are very quick to learn and with the proper guidance will stay on course when they are in the field.

When they are at home, they are a loving pet and do better if they can live in the home with their owners. In addition, they thrive when they have ample time with their family and can suffer from separation anxiety if they are left too long. They do very well with other dogs and with children but they are not suited for homes with small pets.

In addition, they are also not suited for apartment life and will do much better if they have an active family that is willing to give it the attention and exercise the breed needs.

Pro’s and con’s of owning an Large Munsterlander

The Large Munsterlander is a versatile gundog that seems to be the perfect breed for both home and field. They are happy to work in a number of tasks and usually seem happiest when they are at work. When they aren’t working, they make excellent family dogs and they are very loyal to their owners. Unfortunately, they can be overly clingy and if they are not properly exercised or stimulated, they can be very destructive. The Large Munsterlander is an active dog that is not suited for everyone and it is important to be aware of their pros and cons before you purchase one.

The Pro’s

One look at the Large Munsterlander and you can see that it is a beautiful breed with its unique black and white mottled coat and large dark eyes. This is an intelligent breed that has shown its worth in the field as a versatile gundog that can be used in a variety of ways including pointing, retrieving and tracking.

• They are a rare breed and most are bred for gundog work

• They are very intelligent and are usually very eager to please. This makes them easier to train.

• They are very sociable and do well in homes with other dogs.

• The Large Munsterlander is a gentle breed and they do very well with children.

• They are a hard working breed.

The Con’s

The Large Munsterlander has proved too many sportsmen that they are an amazing breed of dog that is versatile in the field and at home but they are not a breed for everyone. This is an active breed that prefers family life to kennel and they may not be suitable for everyone.

• They can be very vocal dogs.

• They are a rare breed of dog so the waiting lists can be quite long and they can be expensive. In addition, many breeders only sell to hunting families.

• The Large Munsterlander is an average shedder with periods in the year where they are high shedders.

• They require a fair amount of grooming.

• They are not suited for homes that have small animals since they do have a strong prey drive.

• The Large Munsterlander is not suited for kennel life and will become destructive if they are separated from their family for long periods of time.

• They are active dogs that require at least 60 minutes of exercise per day, sometimes more.

• They are not suited for apartments and do much better in a home with a large fenced yard.

• They can be very mouthy and are prone to nipping and chewing.

Health Issues:

The Large Munsterlander is a very healthy breed and as of now, many studies are being put forward to test the health issues in the breeds. As it stands, there are very few health problems but it is important to purchase from a reputable breeder that has properly screened their dogs before breeding to insure that the breed remains healthy. Some issues that are seen in the Large Munsterlander are:

• Hip Dysplasia

• Eye Problems

Height & Weight:

The Large Munsterlander is a medium sized dog that has the appearance of a well balanced athletic breed. They are well muscled with well sprung ribs, slightly tucked up abdomen and a square body that is the same length as it is high. They should be elegant in appearance with enough muscle to appear solid but not bulky.

The size of a Large Munsterlander is:

Males: 24 to 26 inches (60 to 65 cm) tall

Females: 23 to 25 inches (58 to 63 cm) tall

Weight for both the male and female Large Munsterlander should be 50 to 70 pounds (23 to 32 kg.)

Note: Height is always determined from the ground up to the withers, also known as the highest spot on the shoulders, of the dog.

Grooming:

The Large Munsterlander’s grooming needs are actually different between male and female and it usually is because of the length of the coat. Females have a shorter coat than males and because of this, the female’s only need to be brushed once or twice a week to keep the fur free of any debris, mats and dead hairs. Males, on the other hand, require a brushing either daily or every other day.

The breed on the whole, is considered to be an average shedder but there are periods in the year when they are heavy shedders. During this time, the dog should be brushed frequently to keep the amount of hair to a minimal.

Bathing should only be done when the dog needs it and can be done on a monthly or bi-monthly basis, although some dogs can be bathed less and some need to be bathed more. Care should be taken of the ears and they should be kept clean and dry to prevent ear infections.

Nails should be kept trimmed and any excess hair should be trimmed from between the toes.

Life Expectancy: 12 to 13 years

History:

The Large Munsterlander can trace its origins back to Germany and is believed to have been developed in Munster, Germany. Although the breed is still fairly young, it is believed to be traced back to the early 1800’s but it was considered to be a color variation of the German Longhaired Pointer.

It wasn’t until the early 1900’s that the Large Munsterlander was recognized for what it really was, a versatile hunting dog that was separate from the German Longhaired Pointer. The Large Munsterlander club was formed in 1919 and the breed was imported to the United States in 1966 where it has continued to grow slowly in popularity.

Grouping:

Gun Dog

Recognition:

LMCNA, FCI, KCGB, NKC, NZKC, CKC, ANKC, APRI, ACR

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