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Large Munsterlander
 
 
History.
 
The Large Munsterlander is one of several continental breeds of versatile hunting dogs or Hunt Point Retrieve (HPR). Although the Large Munsterlander is one of the last of the German breeds to gain official representation by a separate breed club, the Large Munsterlander was recognized as a colour variant of the German Longhaired Pointer prior to that time, bred solely for the black and white colour. Although as a registered breed in its own right, the Large Munsterlander has only existed since 1922. The history of the Large Munsterlander goes back to the Middle Ages evolving from the ancient longhaired hawking and retrieving dogs found across Europe, where they can be seen depicted in paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries. Up to the middle of the 19th century the breeding of hunting dogs in Germany was quite well regulated, then breeders decided that improvement was required. In most areas in Germany, out-crosses with English Setters and Pointers were very popular, but by 1879 the German breeders decided to take control and establish proper breed standards. Up to this time, what are now known as Large Munsterlanders, were registered as German Longhaired Pointers, which included both black and brown variations. When the new breed standard was fixed for the German Longhaired Pointer, it only allowed for brown or brown and white dogs to be included although black and white had always been present in German Breeds.  

The Large Munsterlander first gained official recognition in the Munsterland of north western Germany in the early 1900s. The hunters who owned them keenly supported the breeding of the black and white Longhaired Pointers and in 1919, to ensure the continuation of the breed, decided to form their own society. A foundation list for the breed was compiled for the breed register, which was started in 1922.

Description

The Large Munsterlander should be athletic, intelligent, noble, and elegant in appearance. Its body should be the same length as its height at the withers. The dog should be muscular without being bulky. Its gait should be fluid and elastic. The Large Munsterlander is black and white with hair of medium length. This dog has been bred for many decades for hunting and not show. Hence coat colour is highly variable, ranging from predominantly white to predominantly black. Markings occur as solid white patches, or ticked or roan regions. The coat is dense, but should be firm and sleek 
Large Munsterlander Breed Standard
 
 

General Appearance - Alert and energetic, with strong muscular body, having good movement with drive.

Characteristics - Multi-purpose gundog, ideal for the rough shooter. Excellent nose, staying power, and works equally well on land and in water. A keen worker, easily taught.

Temperament - Loyal, affectionate and trustworthy.

Head and Skull - Well proportioned to body, elongated. Skull sufficiently broad, slightly rounded, with no pronounced occiput. Strong jaw muscles, well formed black nose, wide soft nostrils, slight rise from the nasal bone to the forehead but no pronounced stop. Lips slightly rounded, and well fitting.

Eyes - Intelligent, medium size, dark brown, not deep-set or protruding. No haw showing.

Ears - Broad and set high, lying flat and close to the head, with a rounded tip. Hair on the ears should be long, extending beyond the tip.

Mouth - Strong and sound, with well developed teeth, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck - Strong, muscular, slightly arched, joining the shoulder and chest smoothly.

Forequarters - Chest, wide and with good depth of brisket. Shoulders laid well back, forelegs straight, pasterns strong.

Body - Firm, strong back, short coupled, slightly higher at the withers, sloping smoothly towards the croup and tail. Wide, well-muscled loin, wide croup, ribs well sprung, deep and reaching well up to the loin. Taut abdomen, slightly tucked up. Length of body, measured from point of shoulder to point of buttock should, ideally, be equal to height at withers, but may exceed height at withers by 2cm.

Hindquarters - Hips broad. Well muscled thighs, well turned stifles, hocks well let down. Dewclaws should be removed.

Feet - Tight, moderately rounded and well knuckled with dense hair between the toes, well padded. Strong nails.

Tail -Docked: Previously, docking of tip of tail was optional
Undocked: Well set on, in line with the back. Base thick, tapering evenly towards the tip, well feathered. It should be carried horizontally or curved slightly upwards.

Gait/Movement - Free, long-striding, springy gait.

Coat - Hair long and dense, but not curly or coarse. Well feathered on front and hindlegs and on tail, more so in dogs than in bitches. Hair must lie short and smooth on the head.

Colour - Head solid black, white blaze, snip or star allowed. Body white or blue roan with black patches, flecked, ticked, or combination of these.

Size - Height: dogs: 60-65 cms (231/2-251/2 ins); bitches 58-63 cms (23-25 ins).
 
 
 
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