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MUNSTERLANDERS |
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Additonal Breeds Starting With Letter:
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Back in the days
of the generic huenerhunden^ bird dogs in Germany came in all sizes
and coat colors and textures. These were interbred, based on function
only. In the latter part of the 19th century, the interest in individual
breeds grew, and the types were separated.
When the club
for the German Longhaired Pointer drew up its written standard, for some"
reason, it accepted only the liver/white dogs. Litters were often of mixed
colors in those days, and the black/white pups denied registration were
usually given away. Farmers and hunters, many from the Miinster area,
were the recipients of these well-bred gun dogs and cared little about
their color or registration status. They continued breeding the black/white
longhaired pointers, perhaps crossing to other dogs of the setter or spaniel
type, and in 1919 formed a club for the Munsterlander.
The Miinster
has found friends throughout Germany and has been brought to England as
well. He is an all-purpose pointing/retrieving gun dog and is expected
to perform in the utility trials in Germany. In England, he competes with
the other Continental gun dogs in the HPR (Hunt Point Retriever) Field
Trials.
Although bred
for training and ability to withstand the pressures involved, the breed
wants to please and can be soft in nature. His beautiful, fringed coat
is never exaggerated. The tail may be left intact or have just a tiny
bit of the end removed. They love to retrieve, and naturally like to
carry things about in their mouth.
As with all
of their hunting relatives, they require sufficient exercise. But if
walked or run enough, a Munster can adapt easily to indoor life, even
in the city. He tends to be vocal and owner-oriented. Owners say if
they are gone for even a moment, a Munster enthusiastically greets their
return by "talking" in his low rumble and bringing them "their
treasured possessions." The Munster does well in obedience, and
is good with other animals and with children.
The smaller
variety is of more recent origin, from the early 1900s; they are pointing
dogs— as setters are—rather than flushers. The Small Munsterlander was
the result of crosses of the German Longhair to Continental spaniels.
This Munster appears only in the liver/white ticked color, and his tail
is left long.
He is a good
hunter, with a happy tail-wagging nature. Both the Large and Small Munster-landers
are known in Canada, England, and in various European countries, although
not in large numbers.
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