Breed Characteristics:
Apartment Friendly
?How well will this breed adapt to apartment living? Is the apartment size the most important factor when it comes to proper living conditions? Is the breed suitable for apartment living?
Good For First-Time Owners
?Some dogs aren't suitable for first-time dog owners. Is this breed a good match for someone with no dog experience? Can training help them be on their best behavior with owners with no dog experience? Are they suitable to be handled by someone who is just entering the canine world?
Overall Sensitivity
?Some dogs are sensitive. Certain breeds are rough on the outside, while having the softest heart on the inside. In other words, some dogs are 'thick-skinned' while some are 'easygoing.' Is this breed prone to sensitivity?
Tolerates Being Alone
?Separation anxiety in dogs is a serious condition that can affect a dog's life quality. Is this breed prone to this condition? Can you leave him alone for hours? How destructive this breed can become when bored, neglected, or not loved enough?
Affectionate With Family
?How affectionate this breed will be around his humans? Will he welcome new family friends easily or he will choose to be shy? Some breeds can be clingy with owners, while others don't attach a lot. Will this breed act as the family's best friend?
Kid-Friendly
?Some dogs will tolerate children, while others will adore well-behaved ones. Dogs and children should always be supervised, no matter how well trained the dog might be. Will this breed act as a nanny dog or he will stay away from children?
Friendly Toward Other Dogs
?Some dog breeds cannot wait to run to the dog park and run with others. Others prefer to be with their humans, and not to be a part of a multi-pet household. Is this breed dog lover or not? How friendly this breed will be toward other dogs?
Friendly Toward Strangers
?Some dog breeds tend to be reserved toward strangers and highly suspicious. Others are fast to walk away with them easily. How welcoming this breed is toward strangers?
Drooling Level
?If you love to clean all the time drooling level in dogs is a trait that you should mind. Is this breed less likely to drool, or you will always need a towel on hand?
Easy To Groom
?Heavier shedding during the shedding season is something that every dog needs to go through. However, some dogs shed just a bit all year round. Is this breed one of them? How often should you groom this dog?
Overall Health
?What can you expect from this breed in terms of health? Are there any genetic conditions to vary about? Is obesity a major issue in this breed? By knowing more about the dog's health, you are learning how to help him live a longer and healthier life.
Prone To Obesity
?Treats are a great addition to training sessions. Dogs love sweet bites of dog treats but they should be served in moderation. Treats can lead to obesity, next to poor nutrition. Can this breed gain extra weight from treats? How prone to obesity this breed actually is?
Trainability Level
?Training some dogs is easier than others. How easy this dog will be to train? What can you expect? Some dogs are huge people pleasers and they will master commands easily, while others will try to outsmart you.
Intelligence Level
?Dogs are smart beings. We do our best to train them, but they do still end up training us to adapt to their needs. How intelligent is this breed? Will he try to outsmart you? Or he will need multiple training sessions to master basic commands?
Prey Drive
?Dogs were bred for a specific purpose. Those who were bred to hunt have natural instincts to hunt, even today. This is why many dogs, like Terriers, will chase other animals. They will also have a hard time concentrating on your commands when there is something small moving. Is this breed prone to following his prey instincts?
Barking Level
?How vocal this breed is? Can you expect neighbors to ring you often to calm your dog? Or you can sleep without worries of hearing your Fido bark? Some breeds are highly vocal, others have unusual sounds, and some are silent. Is this breed prone to barking?
Energy Level
?Low-energy dogs are happy with regular walks and indoor chill times. High-energy dogs are always ready for action. Is this breed a couch potato, energetic dog, or somewhere in between?
Exercise Needs
?Some dogs are more than happy with a slow stroll down the street. Others need hours of active time to stay happy and fit. Is this breed demanding in terms of exercise? How much exercise this breed needs to stay happy and healthy?
Playfulness Level
?Some dogs never lose that puppy spirit, not even in their senior years. Others are more serious and prefer having a job to do. Is this breed demanding in terms of playfulness? Can you expect playfulness in their senior years as well?
The name might be the Small Munsterlander Pointer, but this isn’t a small breed.
The Small Munsterlander Pointer is a medium-sized dog, highly popular within hunting circles in Europe. They are fast, agile, and willing to go the distance to catch their prey.
They are so famous hunters, that they have been named the third most popular versatile hunting dog in Europe. They are also quite athletic.
Small Munsterlander Pointers are, in fact, so energetic that they can sprint up to 25 mph.
Their coat is of medium length and is thick and wavy, with feathering on the chest, tail, and back legs. This is a versatile dog known for his elegant movement, and fast hunting style.
As true hunting dogs, they are capable of learning and thrive on training. They have even temperament and are steady.
This breed will always be friendly toward people, which makes them a great choice as a family dog.
Quick Facts
Real name: Small Munsterlander Pointer
Other names: Kleiner Münsterländer, Munsterlander (Small), Vorstehhund, Spion, Heidewachtel
Common Nickname: Munster
Origin: Germany
Breed type: Sporting Dogs
Weight: Sporting Dogs
Height: 19 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder
Lifespan: 12 to 14 years
Litter Size: 4 – 6 puppies
Color: Usually large patches of brown on a white background
Coat: Medium length and dense. Coat can be straight or slightly wavy.
Small Munsterlander Pointer History
The development of this medium-sized dog started in the 19th century.
Breed’s name stands for the town of Munster in Germany where this breed was in fact created.
Small Munsterlander Pointer is a result of crossing between German Longhaired Pointers with Wachtelhunds, which were Longhaired Spaniels.
Breeders’ main goal was to create a multipurpose dog that could point and track wounded or dead games.
Like many breeds that do exist today, the Small Munsterlander Pointer was almost extinct during WWII, mostly due to food shortages. However, thanks to breeders and lovers of the breed, the Small Munsterlander Pointer was successfully revived in his homeland.
From there, the Small Munsterlander Pointer spread to different corners of the world. They were welcome to different countries due to their size, calm temperament, love toward people, and amazing hunting skills.
The Small Munsterlander Pointer is so great when it comes to his hunting skills, that he was called ‘little spy’ due to his intelligence in the field.
While this breed was perfected as a hunting dog, breeders worked at the same time on making this breed an ultimate family companion. With serious time investment and significant dedication, this breed was finally recognized by the United Kennel Club as a member of the Gun Dog Group in 2006.
As for the States, the most relevant breeds’ club is the Small Munsterlander Club of North America.
Small Munsterlander Pointer Physical Appearance
Small Munsterlander Pointer may be a new breed when it comes to the States, but it has been one of the Europan favorites for decades. People love his size and nature.
Plus, they won’t mind spending time outdoors when it rains or is a bit colder. This is a medium-sized dog with a thick and wavy coat.
Overall, the Small Munsterlander Pointer has a well-balanced body and balanced proportions of great elegance. The coat is often straight or slightly wavy, dense, and never too long.
The skull is lean and flat, while the muzzle is powerful and straight. Teeth are large, while the lips are short and well pigmented. Eyes are of medium size, while the cheeks are strong.
Ears are set on high, while loins are short and muscular. The shoulders are muscular, while the hindquarters are strong. The coat is brown-shite or brown with patches of different sizes and colors.
Patches are usually brown. This breed comes with tan markings on the muzzle, which are named ‘Jungklaus markings.’
The Small Munsterlander Pointer has a strong and harmonious body of light move.
Small Munsterlander Pointer Personality
Sporting dogs are highly intelligent animals, and Small Munsterlander Pointer proves it. This is an intelligent and highly trainable breed. This breed will be a big challenge for those who don’t have experience as dog owners.
On the other hand, if you know your way around dogs and your home is a hunting home, this breed will suit you perfectly. If your home isn’t a hunting home, this breed will still be a great companion and more than good family addition.
They are quiet at home, happy to play indoors, as well as to have outdoor adventures. This is a jumping breed, so teaching him to stay off the couch should be included in the training.
They are highly active and can run for hours. That being said, they need a lot of exercise on a daily level. This dog loves being busy.
Anything that could enhance his instincts in terms of tracking, pointing, and retrieving will keep this dog busy and happy for hours. This dog will inspire you to challenge him with mind games, interactive toys, and puzzle toys.
Dogs need mental stimulation as well to keep them happy. This breed will learn quickly and he will remember what he learns, opposite to many other hunting breeds.
The Small Munsterlander Pointer will love spending time with children as well. They will get along with children perfectly as long there is good communication between them.
It’s important for children to be educated on how to behave around dogs and to know how to treat them. This way, possible accidents will be put to a minimum.
No matter how well-behaved your Small Munsterlander Pointer is, you should never leave any dog unsupervised with children.
Children, especially toddlers tend to see dogs as moving toys and will try to treat them as such. Therefore, ears or tail pulling shoudl never be treated as a regular thing.
If you want a disaster, this is how one creates it. To avoid unpleasant moments, educate children on how to behave around dogs and slowly introduce your Pointer to children. Let them build their connection on mutual respect and love.
Small Munsterlander Pointer Training
Small Munsterlander Pointer is an active dog who thrives when there is a job to be done.
They may be smaller dogs, but that won’t stop them from staying busy all day long.
Keeping calm a dog who needs to burn his energy isn’t an easy task. Although this is challenging, it’s important to note that a tired dog is a happy dog. This is why training is so important.
Everything starts with proper training. Training should start as soon as you bring your Small Munsterlander Pointer home.
Dogs are capable of mastering basic commands at eight weeks of age. By the time he finishes with his vaccination, your Small Munsterlander Pointer should know commands such as ‘sit, ‘come’, and ‘no’.
This is a sensitive breed and as such, he should be trained with a light touch. This gentle dog is fast when it comes to learning.
If possible, get him to puppy classes – this can be a great bonding experience for both of you.
Training sessions should be:
- Well-planned and structured
- Short
- Consistent
- Fun
- Packed with treats
If you feel that training your Small Munsterlander Pointer is too much work for you, think about hiring a professional dog trainer.
Proper training and early socialization are what make the dog a good canine citizen.
If your home is a multi-pet household, make sure that you make the introduction between them slow and step by step.
You want to avoid any sudden introductions. Make sure that you provide enough toys.
Any dog no matter how well-behaved he might be may show signs of destructive behavior when bored. That being said, providing enough exercise next to regular training is crucial to having a well-behaved dog.
How much exercise that this breed needs? The Small Munsterlander Pointer needs at least one hour of intense exercise daily.
If you have a fenced yard, where your Small Munsterlander Pointer can run and play, he will be more than grateful to you. What about grooming requirements?
Small Munsterlander Pointer Grooming
Keeping this breed clean and fresh shouldn’t be much of an issue. Regular brushing on a weekly level with proper grooming tools should keep coat tangles-free. They do shed, but they are more of seasonal shedders.
This is why extra care should be put in the late spring and early fall. Nails should be trimmed or grinded once to twice times per month.
A simple nail clipper or grinder should do the work. If this task is overwhelming for you, think about taking your dog to a professional groomer.
Treating nails should be a part of regular grooming practice – nails tend to overgrow, split, and crack. As such, they can lead to painful conditions and even create spine-related issues. A big part of a dog’s grooming practice is keeping the dog’s ears in order.
Learn how to clean a dog’s ears and how to remove debris safely. The best way to handle this is to check ears regularly and avoid a buildup of debris and wax. This buildup can lead to infection.
If recommended by your veterinarian, you should brush the dog’s teeth as well. Bathe only when needed.
Dogs have different skin than humans do, and they don’t need as frequent bathing like humans do.
The rest is simple care:
- Check gums weekly
- Check eyes for any sign of infection
- Clean ears regularly
- Use brushing time to check skin for any sign of fleas and skin infection
Small Munsterlander Pointer Health
The Small Munsterlander Pointer is considered to be a very healthy breed.
Health issues that may appear in this breed are very rare and may appear just from time to time.
Still, no matter how responsible a dog owner you might be, certain health issues will appear during your dog’s life. This is more common in a dog’s senior years when health becomes more fragile.
Here are the some of the helaht issues that you can expect to see in this breed:
- Hip dysplasia
- Ear infection
- Skin problems
The Small Munsterlander Pointer is one of the rare breeds that are so healhty thanks to the mutual work of responsible breeders. Breeders, both in the States and Europe are doing their best to keep the breed healthy.
This is the main reason why the majority of these dogs are healthy. Still, proper care, high-quality food, and prevention are what will keep your Small Munsterlander Pointer long living.
If you want to be sure that you are getting a healthy Small Munsterlander Pointer puppy, work only with responsible breeders.
Responsible breeders will always:
- Present you medical documentation on the breed
- Let you meet the bitch
- Show you facilities
- Ask you a lot of question, so you can get the puppy that will fit your lifestyle the best
- Direct you on how to care on dog and what to do in certain situations
Responsible breeders will do their best to send puppies to the best homes possible. Therefore, talking with them will feel like an interview.
Responsible breeders will never give you a puppy if they aren’t sure that you can provide a proper home and care.
Once you take the puppy home, you are directly responsible for his feeding habits. Moreover, you are directly responsible for one of the most common health issues in dogs across the States: obesity.
Obesity in dogs is one of the biggest issues among dogs and their owners.
It’s easy to overfeed your dog when you don’t know how much you should feed him, or how often. If your Small Munsterlander Pointer tends to stay alone regularly, make sure that you keep treats and food away. This is especially the case when people are dealing with large dog breeds.
Feed your Small Munsterlander Pointer as recommended, and avoid feeding him after an intense walk or exercise time.
If you have any doubts about your dog’s diet, nutritional needs, and feeding style make sure that you talk with your veterinarian.
Use regular check-ups to keep a track of your dog’s weight. If you want to track your dgo’s weight at home, you can use this simple hack.
If you provide proper care, your Small Munsterlander Pointer should live between 12 to 14 years. This is a quite long period for a breed of his size.
To support his longevity, feed your dog on high-quality food, provide proper care, and make sure that he gets plenty of exercises.
By sticking to this, you are actually enabling him to reach his maximum lifespan.
The Bottom Line
The Small Munsterlander Pointer is an agile and versatile dog of medium size.
He has strong pointing instincts and a strong love for the water. He has great tracking abilities and is more than capable of excelling at any type of work.
This is an active breed that thrives on duties and human companionship. Before you welcome this breed into your home, make sure that you have enough time and energy to meet all the breed’s needs.
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