When discussing the Large Munsterlander dog breed, the first thing that one must mention is that these should be considered hunting dogs like no other! The Large Munsterlander is a natural-born predator. He is a ferocious hunting dog breed who can accompany you on a hunt in any terrain and condition.
Now when…
We say ferocious; we don’t want to give you the impression that these are wild and dangerous animals; we just want to stress that hunting is what these guys do. In fact, there aren’t many dogs out there with the same stamina and sheer running power as the Munsterlander. This is why he is a favorite of hunters across Europe, mainly because these guys can hunt just about any animal, even though his favorite prey will be water birds.
As a hunting dog…
These guys do everything – he is a tracker, pointer, and a retriever, which is evident by how well these guys usually do on the Navhda Natural Ability Test, which measures the inherent natural ability of a dog. They are mainly well known for their ability to track a scent, point at a target, and retrieve big and miniature games. If you’re not an avid hunter and don’t care too much about that, the Large Munsterlander may not be the right dog for you.
In fact…
Large Munsterlander breeders are conscientious about placing their Munsterlander puppies only in the homes of avid hunters for this reason. The Munsterlander is a very physical, athletic breed and requires his share of daily exercise. He is most comfortable in a rural area and a house with a large yard with more than enough space for him to run around.
But Remember…
It is the Large Münsterländer’s instinct to hunt. Not allowing him to do that is cruel; it’s going against nature and what nature intended for this creature. So, unless you love hunting, this dog isn’t for you. This is why we wanted to take a moment and discuss what it might be like to own a Large Munsterlander so that if you’re considering adopting one, you’ll know for sure if it’s a good idea for you!
Large Munsterlander Dog Fast Facts
Country of Origin: Germany
Original purpose: Hunting and retrieving
Height: 23 to 25 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 50 to 75 pounds
Dog Breed Classification: Sporting group (although not “officially” recognized by the American Kennel Club)
Life Span: 11 to 13 years
Origin of the Large Munsterland
We have all read about the tremendous German hunting dogs. They have been around for more than 1,000 years through the Middle Ages in the forests of Bavaria. , However, the history of the Large Munsterlander is not so old. This recent dog breed emerged as a “type” of the German Longhaired Pointer in the 19th century. He was different from the German Longhaired Pointer because of his black patches – while the Pointer had brown spots. This is mainly why the Large Munsterland hasn’t been “officially” recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as its unique breed.
But that hasn’t…
It stopped those who are passionate about this “type” of dog from creating a breed “Standard” for the Large Munsterland, which has been modeled after those dogs that first originated in the town of Munster or Munsterland in the early 20th century and later accepted by the German Kennel Club in 1922.
The Large Munsterlander…
Soon, he became a famous hunting dog across Europe. However, events such as World War II and the Great Depression intervened, and most dog owners forgot about this dog for a while. This is probably why the Large Munsterlanders weren’t brought to the United States until the mid-1960s. Here in the US, the breed’s development in the U.S. is overseen by the Large Munsterlander Club of North America. Today…
The breed is considered a massive success within the hunting community and is slowly gaining more and more “recognition” by Kennel Clubs worldwide daily.
Physical Characteristics
The Large Münsterländer rises to a height of 23 to 25 inches. He has a powerful, muscular body. He has a lean, mean look about him, and he looks big and strong without being bulky. These guys also have an elongated head, powerful teeth and jaws, dark, oval-shaped eyes, and ears set just above eye level. You can sense his strength from his powerful-looking, muscular neck and back, deep chest, and tucked abdomen.
His coat is…
Thick and dense and usually black and white with black patches. He looks like a ruthless hunter capable of hunting absolutely anything that moves. He walks with a spring in his steps and can start running at full gallop almost effortlessly.
Comparisons Dog Breeds
The Large Munsterlander is often compared with the Small Munsterlander. The Small Munsterlander is a smaller version of the breed that’s a few inches shorter at shoulder level. This German dog is often compared with his compatriot, the German Longhaired Pointer, another versatile hunting dog breed that is equally adept at tracking, pointing, and retrieving.
Temperament and Personality
The Munsterlander can be a perfect family pet. He is loyal to his family and is always cheerful and gentle with children. He is easy to train and quick at learning new things. He is one of the most intelligent dogs out there. However, he is a hunting dog, and it is his instinct to hunt. Never deny him that. When on the prowl, he is in a zone of his own. There’s just no stopping him when he gets started on a scent.
But even though…
The Large Munsterlander loves to be outdoors; they should live in the house with you and your family. You cannot just leave him out in the yard all by himself. That would bore him senseless and lead to destructive habits. This dog craves human company and wants to be around his family.
And while…
He is a calm and cheerful dog and great with children. But he may not be the right dog for a family with toddlers. He gets along with other dogs. Remember… he is a predator. If you have other pets, such as a cat or something more exotic, he will probably have them for dinner.
Potential Health Concerns
Large Münsterländers are among the healthiest dogs out there. They have an excellent life expectancy of 11 to 13 years. However, even these dogs are vulnerable to specific health problems. Such as…
- Allergies,
- Elbow dysplasia,
- Hip dysplasia.
And while many of these conditions may not be life-threatening, they can become quite expensive, particularly if they become recurring issues. This is why we here at IndulgeYourPet also recommend that any new pet owner take a moment and see what it might cost for you to purchase a pet insurance policy for your new animal.
Now, will a pet insurance policy be suitable for everyone?
No, probably not. But until you fully understand what these policies “will” and “won’t” cover and how much these pet insurance policies cost, how will you know if one might be right for you?
For more information on who we feel currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies out there, we would encourage you to check out our Best Pet Insurance Policies article.
