Small Münsterländer

Coat and looks how to spot one

medium-length, dense, straight or slightly wavy water-repellent coat

A well-balanced, medium-sized gundog with a glossy coat that lies flat and shrugs off water. Longer hair forms feathering on the front legs, trousers on the hind legs and a flowing flag on the tail, which usually ends in a white tip.13

Personality what they are like

A bright, steady and cheerful dog that likes to cooperate and please its handler, while bringing real passion to fieldwork. It is sociable with people and fits well into family life, though it tends to mature slowly and does best with gentle, patient training.142

Daily activity how busy a day looks

High. As an all-round hunting dog that points, tracks and retrieves on land and in water, it needs generous daily exercise plus regular mental work.452

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Regular brushing keeps the medium-length coat and its feathering tidy and free of tangles; the coat naturally repels water.12

Home where they are happiest

Suits an active home with access to open country or water; it is happy living indoors with the family between outings.24

Company who they like around

Strongly people-oriented and happiest as part of the family rather than left alone for long periods.21

The story where it all began

Long-haired bird dogs have been kept in the Münsterland for centuries, and organised breeding is documented from around 1870. A breed club formed in 1912 to protect the dogs as their own hunting breed, and Dr Friedrich Jungklaus wrote the first standard in 1921. The first dog reached North America in 1971.134

Recognised by the official bits

FCI

Standard No. 102, Group 7 (Pointing dogs), Section 1.2 (Continental pointing dogs, spaniel type); current standard dated 4 Sep 20191

UKC

Gun Dog Group; recognised 20063

AKC

Foundation Stock Service breed2

The Royal Kennel Club

Gundog Group (imported breed register)2