Following are some questions that I often receive regarding the Small Munsterlander Pointer. Please understand that the responses are my opinion, and I do not represent them as being that of an expert or veterinarian. Do your research well. Hopefully my comments will help you in your search for the right breed for you and your family.
Index
GENERAL BREED QUESTIONS
Do Small Munsterlander Pointers make good family dogs? Are Small Munsterlanders friendly towards people? The Small Munsterlander Pointer is known for its gentle nature and true love to be with people. In my opinion they are very affectionate and want to be close to you, and always demand your attention. I believe this gentle disposition is a strong breed characteristic, however, depending on breeding, treatment, training and other factors, dispositions of dogs will vary. My family of eight includes (at the present) three Small Munsterlanders. They are very friendly to everyone. They love children, and make very good family dogs. They will test the entire pack for dominance, and everyone must keep on their toes to make sure they mind and do not get too overbearing. They can be quite the lap dog if allowed. And they seem very fond of giving moonster kisses. If you don't like this behavior, you must either find a different breed or be a very good disciplinarian.
Unfortunately, we have become aware of a few dogs that show mild to severe aggression. Also, NAVHDA test results from recent years indicate that a relatively small number of dogs showed sensitivity or aggression to people. While this is most disheartening, there appears to be a common ancestry, and avoidance would be prudent. The prospective buyer is urged to carefully check NAVHDA test results, pedigrees, references, and ask very direct questions.
Do Small Munsterlanders get along well with other dogs and cats? My experience is that Small Munsterlander Pointers generally like to be around others of their like, although there may be occasional problems such as between two dominant dogs. It also depends on the amount of early socialization the puppy had, and how much the dog is routinely exposed to other dogs. Cats? It depends on the individual dog and the cat. I think if the dog is raised with a cat you shouldn't have a problem, unless perhaps if the cat is very feisty. However, if the dog is not used to cats, I would recommend caution. Remember the Small Munsterlander, like all of the versatile breeds, has been bred to be bold and handle furred game. Be careful with guinea pigs, rabbits and hamsters.
Should a Small Munsterlander Pointer be kept in a kennel or in the house? Sometimes it amazes me about the controversy that persists regarding this issue. My opinion is that any hunting dog will bond more strongly when it lives with you. I believe that the stronger the bond, the greater its desire to please you, thus making it easier to train and more cooperative in the field. Many insist on kenneling the dog. I think this is generally because someone in the house doesn't want dog hair somewhere where it shouldn't be, someone has a problem with allergies, or the person actually believes the only place for a hunting dog to live is in the kennel. The first are matters of understanding, the latter is ridiculous! However, I kennel my dogs enough that they are comfortable either in the kennel or in the house. This gives us much more flexibility, and less worry when we do have to kennel them. I do believe that extended kenneling of a Small Munsterlander does cause a much thicker coat, and the coat may not be as nice as when kept in the house. I am not talking about the dog's inherent coat quality, rather just amount of hair and appearance.
Do Small Munsterlanders have health problems? Although any dog can be afflicted with one type of health issue or another, as a breed, the Small Munsterlander Pointer is relatively free of genetic health disorders. There are some known cases of hip dysplasia. Other genetic health issues are almost non-existent. I believe part of the reason for this is the historic and continued care in breeding. Certain types of ailments are more prevalent in some breeds than others, and I do not know of a prevalence of any ailment in Small Munsterlander Pointers. The Small Munsterlander Club of North America, Inc. is very concerned about genetic health issues and is developing a data base of reported health issues. In the long run, this will help to maintain the breed's healthy predisposition.
Do Small Munsterlanders shed and require much coat care? We have found the Small Munsterlanders do not shed much compared to other breeds we have owned or been around. Generally the longer the coat, the more shedding may be expected. If we find dog hair on our clothes it is generally from Bud, who has longer hair than Angel, although we feel shedding is minimal. The only coat grooming we do is to strip the coat in the spring to remove excess winter hair, and perhaps a very occaisional brushing when the mood strikes, but not often. We never have found the need to bath our dogs unless they get into something rather foul smelling. One other thing, we have noticed that the Small Munsterlander is a very clean dog and does not have a typical dog smell. Oh yes if they are wet and you put your nose to them you can smell a bit of a wet dog, but other than that we find them without typical dog odor.
How much do puppies cost? This is, of course, up to the breeder. Typically pups have sold for $600 to $800, although with the very high demand the last three years, prices seem to be more in the range of $700 to $1,000 and up to $1,500. You should consider factors such as Small Munsterlander Club of North America, Inc. registration, pedigree and ancestry, NAVHDA testing, and hip testing history. Started dogs, when available would likely be a few thousand dollars. Finished dogs, good luck. If you find one you may have to get a second mortgage.
Are Small Munsterlander Pointers registered? If you buy from a reputable breeder, the answer is yes. At this time, the Small Munsterlander Club of North America, Inc. (the official breed club) maintains a registry and provides registration papers showing a three-generation pedigree. Small Munsterlander Pointers are also registered by the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA), although there is no certainty that the puppies have been produced from breeding quality stock.
Does the AKC recognize or register Small Munsterlanders? It is my understanding that the American Kennel Club recognizes the Small Munsterlander Pointer as a breed, however, it does not maintain a registry. There are a couple of reasons for this. First, there are not enough dogs in the United States to meet the AKC's requirements to be registered. Second, for the AKC to accept a breed into it's registry, it must be sponsored by the breed club. The Small Munsterlander Club of North America, Inc. has not shown an interest in moving in this direction.
What is the origin of the Small Munsterlander Pointer? The Small Munsterlander Pointer is believed to be a very old breed, perhaps originating in the 15th century from the French Epaquenel or possibly the Spanish spaniel. It was nearly lost when two lines were discovered in northwest Germany around the beginning of the 20th century. The breed was then formalized and breed records were kept. It was known as the Heidewatchel and the Spion, but later changed to the Kleine (small) Muensterlaender Vorstehhunde. This was Americanized to become the Small Munsterlander Pointer.
Are the Small Munsterlander and Large Munsterlander pointers related? No. They are completely different breeds that share only a common geographic area of original popularity (and origin in the case of the Small Munsterlander Pointer), and a similar name. The Large Munsterlander is generally a slightly taller dog and is always white and black in some form. Its origin is the German Longhaired Pointer. The Small Munsterlander never has black. It is always brown (a.k.a. liver or chestnut) and white. Sometimes white with brown patches or plates. Sometimes ticked, and sometimes nearly all brown (saddled; in German I believe this is referred to as 'mit umhaug', meaning 'with cape') with some white, ticked white, or roan.
Are Small Munsterlanders good retrievers? Absolutely. The breed is considered to have a very strong retrieving instinct. Young puppies as well as older dogs always seem to be carrying something. Remember, this is a basic instinct that has been improved through careful breeding, not unlike a Labrador or Chesapeake. On a few occaisions I have heard retriever breeders talking about ther six week old puppies carrying things. I have seem Small Munsterlander puppies showing this instinct at five and six weeks.
What type of hunting does the Small Munsterlander Pointer do best? Like all of the versatile pointing breeds, the Small Munsterlander has been bred to hunt upland game birds, waterfowl, and furred game equally well. Careful breeding of the Small Munsterlander, and other versatile breeds, have enhanced certain basic instincts so that these dogs excel at finding and pointing game, tracking running or wounded game, and retrieving all sorts of game on land or water. I believe that a good dog of any of the versatile pointing breeds will do just as good as the specialty breeds such as the pointing breeds (e.g., English Pointers and Setters) or the retrieving breeds (e.g., Labrador, Golden, or Chesapeake). There you have it. Hunt them well on quail, chukar, partridge, pheasant, duck, geese, rabbits, squirrel, or deer (where legal). I do however see one possible drawback. If I were hunting only geese, I would probably have a Chesapeake or some other large, well muscled retriever, but a Small Munsterlander Pointer can handle it given the proper training and physical conditioning. In 1998, a Small Munsterlander search and rescue dog found a boy in an avalanche in Austria. I think that no matter what type of hunting you choose, your Small Munsterlander Pointer will probably be better at it than you. Good hunting!
Are Small Munsterlanders bold in the field? I have heard they are a soft dog. Small Munsterlander Pointers can be as bold as any of the versatile breeds. Just as with a shorthair, wirehair or Brittany, boldness between dogs will vary. Boldness in the field is a description we use to describe the dog that desires to search out game, go into the tough cover and dispatch wounded game. Boldness is generally a good characteristic and closely related to desire, but I believe to have a really good dog, it has to be cooperative. Boldness, strong desire, and a dog that hunts for you as part of your team is a joy. Munsterlanders are often called soft or sensitive. This should not be confused with lack of boldness, although as in any breed, a particular dog could be truly soft or timid and lack boldness. Generally they do not respond well to heavy-handed training approaches and hard discipline. The Small Munsterlander wants to please and will reach their fullest potential when trained with positive reinforcement and mild reprimands. A good trainer will know when too much pressure is being used.
Do Small Munsterlanders require a lot of exercise?As with any hunting dog, the Small Munsterlander Pointer requires daily exercise. They are active dogs and do well when they get at least some daily running time. On days when our dogs are not road worked or taken afield, we take them swimming or just let them chase around the yard. This is an advantage to having two dogs, they entertain and exercise themselves at the same time. However, they are not generally the type of dog that will be running on the walls if they are not excercized daily. They are normally well mannered during periods when we have not given them their proper excercize. They are not "high strung" as some people call certain breeds that have a tendancy to this manner.
Why aren't there more Small Munsterlanders in this country? There are likely less than 600 dogs in the United States. Ask yourself why certain breeds of dogs become so popular and others that are equally good don't. The Labrador Retriever is the number one dog in the country in simple numbers. Is it the best hunting dog? Many would question this. Why are there so many German Shorthairs? Is it any better than say a Wirehair or a Brittany? Who knows, it could be debated into eternity. Why isn't the Pudelpointer, Griffon or Vizsla more popular? So what about the Small Munsterlander? Strictly my opinion, but I believe there are several factors. Breeding of the Small Munsterlander Pointer is very controlled in Europe and North America. This had done two things, improved quality, but limited numbers. There has not been much effort to publicize the breed compared to other breeds such as those that are registered by the AKC and compete in AKC trials and conformation shows. It is interesting to note the growth in popularity of the breed as NAVHDA has become more popular. Testing of pups and mature dogs has a way of establishing (documenting) a dog's true hunting abilities, and its ability to take training. I believe people are now seeing how good these dogs are. Actually, I believe that dogs are probably much better than the test results indicate. This is because many first-time Small Munsterlander owners also are first-time handlers in a hunt test. It is not hard to make mistakes in getting your dog ready for a test (or not getting them ready because the novice may think it is a 'natural ability' test, and the pup doesn't need exposure because its in his genes). It is not hard to 'handle' your dog right out of a prize. Natural ability testing is not difficult for dog or handler, but mistakes are made. Then there is the rather long name. Small Munsterlander Pointer, or just Small Munsterlander. Many people can't seem to even remember Munsterlander. I always wonder if they had a simpler name, would their popularity have grown? Who knows, but those that have them love their "moonsters".
Is a Small Munsterlander the right breed for my first hunting dog? This is a difficult question. Some breeders are beginning to feel that the Small Munsterlander Pointer may not be the best choice for your first hunting dog. I tend to agree, and I'll try to explain. We have all heard that many a fine dog has been ruined by bad training. Usually this really is a nice way of saying the dog was ruined because of a mean or heavy-handed trainer. Successful dog training (or for that matter, handling if you have had someone else train the dog) requires skill developed over time. We all make mistakes with our first dog or two. It is easy to get frustrated and take it out on Fido. This problem is magnified when dealing with a sensitive dog like the Small Munsterlander Pointer. This breed will not take heavy-handed training. They will shut down completely. They want to please after they come to understand they have to do the task. If you haven't developed the temperament for training or handling a dog with total love and kindness, I'd suggest something a little more hard headed, or perhaps hunt with a friend that has a good dog. We are getting reports, and I have personally seen that a particular Small Munsterlander "will not mind", or "is totally disobedient" or some other similar remark. These complaints are typically from first-time dog owners. It really boils down to two things. First, the Small Munsterlander is a very intelligent dog and will constantly test all those in it's pack. It will constantly try to see if it can be boss. This may be too much dog for the first-time dog owner. Second, the first-time dog owner will likely not understand dog behavior, and obedience training. Yes, its very cute for the dog to sit-up in front of the milk bone cupboard and you give him his reward. As the dog sees it, he has just dominated you, and every time you do it on his demand he has increased your training and strengthened his dominance over you. And, like so many things in life, perception is everything. In this case it is the dog's perception that matters. If you don't hunt, please get one of the many very nice breeds that will also give you life-long unconditional love, and take it to obedience class. If you hunt but haven't owned and trained a hunting dog before you should make your decision carefully.
I am having difficulty locating a Small Munsterlander puppy. Should I consider importing a dog? Selecting a breeder and a puppy is the buyer's decision. It should be done very carefully as discussed herein. The pertinent research would be necessary no matter whether the dog was produced domestically or imported from overseas. It would seem that locating a reputable breeder overseas would complicate the task. Language barrier being a paramount issue. There would also be the difficulty in developing a relationship with the breeder so that you could be sure you would get a quality dog. Importing an adult dog would be much more expensive, although I believe your risk would be greatly reduced. For those that want to import a dog I say go ahead, if you want the risk. We can use the genetic diversity, although please don't tell me you intend to breed this puppy. As a responsible breeder you will not know if it is of sufficient quality to breed for at least two years. Import if you want, it is your decision and your money.
Are there any differences between a male and a female? What is best for me and my family? I really believe there are no significant differences between male and female as it relates to hunting ability, or as a pet. I do not detect any difference between the sexes regarding boldness in the field, nose, desire or other hunting characteristics. I really believe it should not make a great deal of difference which sex you choose. Both males and females have very good dispositions and I could not recommend one sex over the other based on any temperament differences. There is a certain stubborness to many of the continental breeds. The Small Munsterlander is no different and in my experience the females may be a little more stubborn. This, however, is not bad. Rather, I believe it equates to a certain boldness in the field. No proof, just my thoughts. Several of the dogs I have been around show this. This stubborness may increase challenges for the trainer, especially a novice. This relates to the response above relating to suitability of the breed for first-time hunting dog owners.
Where can I find an Small Munsterlander breeder? Locating any rare breed can be a laborious and sometimes rather long process. There are not many breeders of Small Munsterlander Pointers in North America. I usually help put people in touch with breeders that are planning litters. However, please be aware that there are only a few litters whelped each year. The puppies are in high demand and most litters are sold prior to the actual breeding, at least the breeder has usually received a deposit on five or six pups. Do your home work, be patient, and ask all the right questions (see below). Refer to Small Munsterlander Pointer breeders that meet my standards. Please be very cautious. Ask lots of questions, select a breeder that you have confidence in and is breeding good stock.
How do I select a breeder? Getting a puppy comes with some risks, such as you are not sure what you are getting. That is, what it will be like as an adult (e.g., temperament, conformation, coat, hunting abilities). You can improve your chances of getting that very special dog by doing the following:
Thoroughly research the various breeds to be sure which one is right for you and your family.
After you have selected the breed, more research is needed to determine what lines of dogs and breeders are producing dogs with good NAVHDA test scores. NAVHDA sells, for a reasonable cost, the test results for all of the versatile breeds. These test records also indicate the judged temperament of each dog. Talk to as many people as you can that have experience with the breed.
Talk to the breeders. Find out what the breeder is looking to accomplish in a particular breeding. As an example, ask why a particular dog and bitch are to be mated. That should indicate what the breeder is trying to improve on in the offspring. Listen carefully to the response. I think this is a significant indicator as to the quality of the breeder and the resulting puppies. Listen for specifics. If the breeder can't tell you something like "my Sally should have a wider search and Hans runs big", or "Sally doesn't have the best furnishings and Hans has a nice coat with abundant feathering on front legs and tail". Don't settle for anything less than a good answer. Push the question if you need to. Be aware of someone that is not trying to produce the best pups possible. Ask about any known temperament or health issues with his dogs, ancestors, or offspring. Don't be in a hurry, look further if necessary and ask a lot of questions.
Ask the breeder where the litter will be whelped and where the litter will be reared. How much human contact will the puppies have. Weather permitting, does the breeder expose the puppies to water or even birds? At what age can you pick up the puppy? Can you come early to see the litter and maybe pick your pup? Although, understand that first pick, is first pick and the breeder may have an order for picking the pups. If you are well down the list you may not be able to pick early. Actually, I wouldn't really want to pick before six weeks. Now having said that, I feel that too much emphasis is placed on getting a high pick. As an example, in our "A" litter my personal favorite "pick of the litter" went seventh out of ten and my family's two favorites went ninth and tenth! Tell the breeder what you are looking for in a puppy. He or she can help you get the right pup for you. I believe it is much more important to get a pup from a proven line of dogs than to get a high pick. Said another way, show me the papers (pedigrees, pictures, test scores, hip certifications) and I can close my eyes to pick the pup. There are just too many variables to know how the puppies will turn out. They best is to do your homework up front.
Have both dogs been approved for breeding by the Breed Council of the Small Munsterlander Club of North America, Inc? This is the governing breed club and its endorsement provides assurance that the dogs meet the breed standard, and the breeder abides by the Code of Ethics of the Small Munsterlander Club of North America, Inc. Ask for copies of pedigrees on each dog. Study them. Get to know the names. Compare the test results.
Ask for copies of hip certification (most use OFA; PennHip has a very good system, but not enough Small Munsterlanders have been evaluated to provide meaningful rating). Ask if the dogs were asleep during the tests. This is best to be sure the hips are splayed properly for a good image. Ask about hip testing on both parents' ancestors. Obviously, a pedigree full of good or better testing minimizes your risk in your puppy developing HD problems.
If possible, examine both the sire and dam. Watch them move while looking from the side, front and rear. See if you can tell any difference in their movement. Look at their eyes, coat (including density of the hair and coverage on the feet, chest and stomach), look at the hind legs from the rear (straight or cow-hocked?), is there proper angulation in the front and back legs, and examine the bite. If you are not comfortable assessing the dogs, bring along someone you trust that knows dogs, not just anybody you hunt with, but someone that has some expertise.
Ask about the breeder's guarantee. Will you get a refund if the dog has genetic health problems? Will he take the dog back? Replacement generally isn't a good situation because of the infrequency of Small Munsterlander litters from a breeder, and also you wouldn't likely want another pup from the same sire and dam. Does the breeder require you to return the dog to him if, at some point, you can no longer keep the dog. This is good. I believe a good breeder will demand this. Of course all of this is probably not enforceable without a contract. Many dog breeders use sales agreements, and I think this can be a good thing for both seller and buyer.
Now the tough part. Be ready to answer some questions yourself. The demand for pups is high. I was looking for a wirehair pup many years ago and the breeder told me he would not sell a pup to me unless my family came to stay with his family for a weekend and do some hunting. He obviously wanted to be sure his pups went to only good homes. Testing is very important for the betterment of any rare hunting breed. Some breeders will not sell to someone that will not keep the dog in the house. Some will not sell to someone that will not NAVHDA test the pup. Most Small Munsterlander breeders will not sell a pup to just anyone that has the money. Most breeders will not sell to non-hunting homes. Be open and honest with the breeder, as you both need to know each other and be comfortable before the transaction. If you are offended by a breeder interviewing you, perhaps you should look for another breeder and be satisfied with dealing with someone that doesn't care much where the puppies go. What does that tell you?
© 1999 - 2007 by J. Turner. All rights reserved.
Updated February 16, 2007
Small
Munsterlander Pointer Puppies