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Large Munsterlander
Thinking of buying or adopting a Large Munsterlander?
Introduction
The Large Munsterlander is a favourite hunting dog and companion in Europe. It has strong hunting instincts and a high level of stamina and endurance for fieldwork, especially in the face of rough terrain and harsh weather. This dog breed is affectionate with its family and sociable with other dogs, being bred to hunt in packs. It is a medium-sized dog weighing 59 to 66 pounds and standing 58 to 65 centimetres at the withers.
Are thinking of getting a Large Munsterlander? Here is a bit of a background about this excellent multi-purpose dog.
History
The Large Munsterlander originated from the Munster area in Germany and descended from the bird dog, the German Longhaired Pointer (GLP) in the 1880s. In fact, it is believed that the Large Munsterlander came from the GLP litters (a subtype) with all colourations, except liver and white, which is the standard colour of the GLP. These multi-coloured litters were given away to farmers and hunters in the Munster area in Germany, where they do not discriminate dog colour.
It was in 1919 that the Large Munsterlander was recognised as a separate breed in its own right. In 1922, early fanciers introduced the spaniel bloodline in the mix to create a new derivation of the breed and develop its standards. The result of the new breed of the Large Munsterlander was recognised by the German Kennel Club in 1922 with 82 registrations.
The Large Munsterlander was recognised by The Kennel Club in 1971. However, its low volume of annual registrations and people's preference to keep it as a hunting dog make it an unpopular dog to keep as a family pet, despite its kind, loyal and affectionate nature.
Appearance and Grooming
The Large Munsterlander is a medium to large dog weighing 59 to 66 pounds and standing 58 to 65 centimetres at the withers. It is a well-proportioned breed that carries itself with pride. It boasts of a well-balanced, long and easy stride, typical of a gundog. Its head is nicely balanced with the rest of the body with a moderately dome-shaped skull minus a pronounced stop. It has a strong jaw to retrieve live game and well-developed black nose with a wide nostril to smell and point hunters the location of the prey.
Large Munsterlanders have long and dense coats with a great deal of feathering on the legs and tail. The hair on its head is shorter and smoother, lying flat on its head. Accepted standard breed colours of a Large Munsterlander include white and black, blue roan, and black. Their coats are easy to groom and can be dealt with a weekly brushing, although the feathering on the legs and tails will need a little tidying up to keep it clean and in excellent condition.
Other grooming regimens, including brushing its teeth two to three times a week to avoid oral problems such as gum disease and bad breath. The ears should be checked and cleaned out at least once a week to prevent ear infections. Look out for clicking sounds on the floor, which means it's time to trim its nails.
Temperament and Intelligence
No doubt that the Large Munsterlander is an excellent gundog breed highly-praised for its hunting instincts, intelligence and stamina. However, most people do not know that this dog has the bearings of a kind, gentle, loyal and friendly dog, which are characteristics of a wonderful family pet and companion. They are also great watchdogs, very vocal to quickly alert their owners when there are strangers around. Large Munsterlanders are quite the social dogs and get along well with any members of the family including other dogs, even cats. However, this can only be achieved when this dog breed is well-socialised at an early age.
Large Munsterlanders form a strong attachment with its family and do not like to be left alone for extended periods. Thus, this dog breed is well-suited to households where one family members stay at home. Nevertheless, Munsterlanders are an excellent choice for inexperienced dog owners since they are intelligent and easy to train, as long as the owner can dedicate enough time to provide them with enough exercise.
The Large Munsterlander has natural affinity with children and are extra careful around them. However, like in most dogs, supervision is necessary when playing games to make sure both the children and the dog stay safe, especially given the size of the Munsterlander.
Nutrition and Feeding
A typical serving for an adult Large Munsterlander is 2.5 to 3 cups of premium quality dry dog food per day. No single food is generally right for all dogs since there are factors to consider such as its age, size, gender, health, metabolism, and activity level. Finding the right food is not a challenge especially if you consult a veterinarian or a canine nutritionist for a diet recommendation specific to your dog.
Typical daily calorie needs of an adult Large Munsterlander weighing 60 pounds:
- Senior and less active: up to 1,340 calories daily
- Typical adults: up to 1,500 calories daily
- Physically active/working dogs: up to 1,670 calories daily
It is essential to provide the Large Munsterlander quality dog food formulated for its medium to large size. Also make sure that diet is rich in animal protein to support bone and muscle growth, especially for an active hunting gundog such as the Munsterlander.
Health and Exercise
The Large Munsterlander is generally healthy when properly cared for and fed well with healthy dog food. They can live up to 13 years unless they suffer some health conditions they are predisposed to such as Hereditary Cataracts, Hip and Elbow Dysplasia, Osteochondrosis, Black Hair Follicular Dysplasia, Epilepsy, Otitis Externa, and some skin allergies.
Since Large Munsterlanders are gundogs, they are active dogs with high stamina. In short, they will require the right amount of daily exercises (at least 2 hours) to be happy and well-rounded dogs. Without a job to do or activities to engage in, this dog breed can exhibit destructive behaviours due to boredom. Also, Large Munsterlanders love to roam around so make sure you have a securely fenced back garden to keep it from escaping.
Cost of Ownership
The Large Munsterlander is a rare breed in the UK and only a few puppies are registered with The Kennel Club each year. You would need to go on waiting list to obtain one and pay at least £500 for a well-bred pedigree puppy. To ensure it stays healthy at whatever age, be ready to spend £40-£50 a month on high-quality dog food. You also need to factor in the initial cost for dog accessories and equipment such as food bowls, leads, collars, and beds, which will likely be about £200 depending on the brand.
When it comes to healthcare, you need to be prepared in case your dog suddenly falls ill or gets into an accident. You can offset some medical bills if you get a pet insurance, which can range from £30 a month for a time-limited cover up to £65 a month for a lifelong insurance cover. These prices vary depending on your dog’s health and age, size and weight, the type of cover you choose, and whether it has pre-existing conditions.
Other outgoings to consider are veterinary expenses that may not be included in a pet insurance coverage such as vaccinations, routine checks, neutering or spaying, and annual boosters, which can have a combined cost of £1000 annually. Roughly, you will be setting aside £80-£120 a month for recurring expenses, depending on the type of insurance cover you choose. This estimate is exclusive of walking or grooming services that you might want to use at times.
Large Munsterlander Breed Highlights
- The Large Munsterlander is an excellent hunting companion.
- It is affectionate, kind, gentle and loyal.
- It is ideal for inexperienced dog owners since it is easy to train.
- It is vocal, which makes it an excellent watchdog.
- It requires enough mental and physical stimulation, at least 2 hours of daily exercises.
- It is a rare breed, which means getting one is tricky.
Are you sure the Large Munsterlander is the best breed for you? Take the Pet Breed Selector Quiz to find your perfect breed match.
Dog Breed Selector QuizDo you have the patience to be on a waitlist for a Large Munsterlander? If not, you can check out other dog breeds with our Pet Finder.
Disclaimer:
The information, including measurements, prices and other estimates, on this page is provided for general reference purposes only.
The information, including measurements, prices and other estimates, on this page is provided for general reference purposes only.
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