Large Munsterlander
Temperament:
The Large Munsterlander is a child-friendly, kind and loyal dog. At the same time, it is lively, easy to handle and docile. Dogs of this breed should receive mental occupation as well as several hours of exercise per day. Otherwise they feel unwell and show destructive behavior. The Large Munsterlander is not suitable as a beginner's dog.
Characteristics
Large Munsterlander have quite a muscular build. They are considered to be strong and stocky dogs. Their appearance appears aristocratic and intelligent. According to the breed standard, the body length should exceed its height at the withers only by a maximum of two centimeters. A male of the breed reaches around 30 kilograms. The height at the withers of males is 60 to 65 centimeters. Bitches, on the other hand, are smaller. They reach a height of 58 to 63 centimeters.
The coat of the Large Munsterlander is dense and long. However, it is neither sticking out nor curly. This would hinder the dog in hunting. It is always in the colors white and black and has different variations in the pattern.
The four-legged friend is particularly docile. In addition, he shows good leadership. This is its most outstanding characteristic. Thus he can be trained quite easily to good obedience. The best way to do this is already in puppyhood. This pedigree dog is also a very reliable hunter. Especially he trumps at the retrieving of the killed game.
Dogs of the breed are also known for their lively nature. The four-legged friends are rarely nervous. They are also neither fearful nor aggressive. With good training, they are suitable as a family dog.
The Large Munsterlander are willing to work and alert. In a few cases they are also dominant. In general, however, the pedigree dog gets along very well with children. The dogs especially like to fetch and swim. For the well-being they need sufficient movement and occupation. Then also Large Munsterlander are balanced.
Many inexperienced dog owners believe that the hunting dog does not belong in an apartment. However, this is only partly correct. The Large Munsterlander needs sufficient exercise. So if you have a large garden, that's already a good start.
Nevertheless, you must take into account: A garden is no substitute for long walks. The walks can be exhausting, because the Large Munsterlander wants to experience and do something. Your dog wants to exhaust himself physically and do mental work.
If you can offer him that, he will be balanced and calm even in an apartment. You should spend four hours or more a day actively with your dog.
Because of his high need for exercise and employment, some breeders give the dogs only in hunter hands. In this way they can guarantee that the dog will be used to its full potential. Despite all this, the Münsterländer is still a real pointing dog for professional hunting.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
The food should contain balanced proportions of all nutrient groups for Large Münsterländer. In addition, fresh water must be available to the dogs at all times. If you regularly determine the body condition of your dog, you can ensure that it remains in top shape.
Feeding should be done, as a rule, two or even more times a day. Follow the general feeding recommendations of the specific food. Large Münsterländer have a pronounced appetite. They therefore tend to overeat.
Large Münsterländer are also prone to flatulence as well as stomach problems. As with most large dog breeds, there is a risk of gastric distention. To avoid this, you should feed him several small rations per day.
Nevertheless, every dog is unique. The need for food also depends on the age, weight and nutritional status. Likewise, the activity or breeding use is an important criterion. Diseases and allergies are also important adaptation criteria. In addition, the nutrient requirements also change in the different life phases of the Large Munsterlander.
Puppies and young dogs need a food ration that meets their needs. This helps prevent growth disorders caused by nutrition. Because your optimal development of the musculoskeletal system is especially important for these working dogs.
Depending on its area of use and activity level, there are differences in requirements. Also a use as a pure breeding dog has influence on nutrition. In addition, health risks can be excluded by avoiding an incorrect supply. Therefore, it is important to record and consider the individual nutritional needs of your dog.
Large Münsterländer Care
Compared to the other hunting dogs, the Large Munsterlander is very high-maintenance. This already starts with the high demand for employment and exercise. This makes him completely unsuitable for keeping in a kennel. A house with a large garden is advisable, because the Münsterländer is not a city dog.
You should brush or comb your dog's coat daily if possible. You should also check the dense coat for injuries or vermin. Especially if your dog goes hunting.
The coat of the Large Munsterlander is also responsible for ear diseases. This is because the coat prevents sufficient oxygen from reaching the ears of the Munsterlander. The ears are thus not sufficiently ventilated. As a result, the dogs form more earwax. This often leads to inflammation and itching. In general, however, the dog breed has few health problems.
In addition to mental activity, several hours of daily exercise are an absolute must. If you do not want to get a disturbed or even disturbed hunting dog. The dog can be taken for jogging and hiking. However, you should never forget the hunting instinct. You should walk him on a longer leash if possible. You should also train him well. The dogs are real hunting dogs and really love any weather. So be prepared for dirt and mud.
Suitable accessories
The Large Munsterlanders are hunting dogs for work. They feel comfortable in the field, water and forest. However, they also like to adapt to a family life. The prerequisite is that they get enough exercise. The dogs love water. Therefore, you must take care of their safety when off leash.
The dogs are suitable companions for more active people. They are satisfied when they can play or work. For this purpose, agility sports are very suitable. Because the four-legged dog is very fond of work. He wants to be kept busy physically and mentally.
Since this occupation takes several hours a day, non-hunters can rarely meet all the requirements. The dogs of this breed enjoy suitable toys. In the trade there are toys that are modeled on the hunt. As an example, squeaky rubber toys in the form of ducks can be mentioned here.
Origin & History
The history of the Large Munsterlander goes back to the Middle Ages. It begins with the female pickled dog and the Bird Dog. Further it leads over the Stöberhund until the Wachtelhund in the 19th century.
However, the planned breeding of this extraordinary breed took place quite late. Targeted breeding was carried out only from the end of the 19th century. But even before that, Dutch painters liked to use the dog as a subject for paintings. That was in the 16th as well as 17th century. Here the dog is still very varied in appearance. Sometimes he appears rather as a smaller dog, sometimes as a large long-haired dog.
The Large Munsterlander belongs to the breed family of German pointing dogs. Its closest relative is the Small Munsterlander and the so-called German Longhair.
Then in 1919 the Association for the pure breeding of the long-haired black and white Münsterländer pointing dog was founded for the first time. The club mainly took up the breeding of black and white dogs. These were a decade earlier still from the German Longhair Club excluded.
Due to its name, the Large Munsterlander is intuitively associated with its origin around Münster in Westphalia as well as the Münsterland associated. This is due to the fact that dogs of this type were especially common in Westphalia and Lower Saxony. They were especially appreciated by the hunters living there for hunting small game. That is why they got the name Large Münsterlander Pointing Dog.
The Large Munsterlander was considered a sheepdog until the end of the 19th century. For it was not until 1936 that the Large Munsterlander breed received a breeding standard.
