Overview

The origin of the Small Munsterlander was 15th century Germany. This was also the time when common men were allowed to hunt. Before the Industrial Revolution, only wealthy land owners that could pay for special hunting dogs were allowed to hunt game.

Activity

Because of having so much energy, the Small Munsterlander needs to be exercised daily. They enjoy high performance exercise like running and swimming. They can also adapt to less energetic exercise like taking a long walk. As long as they get some exercise every day, that's all that's important.

Care

Small Munsterlander dogs must have some grooming. Their coat needs to be combed frequently to prevent tangles and mats from forming after they've been out hiking or in the field. Give them a bath once every 6 weeks as well as routine care such as brushing their teeth, trimming their nails, and cleaning their ears to prevent infections.

Character

The Small Munsterlander is among the smallest gun dogs. They're tough, noble, strongly built, and enthusiastic. They use their tail for expression, which is very useful in their work. Many Small Munsterlanders bark when on the trail or have scent when game tracking. This is a particularly desirable characteristic in Europe. The hunter will hear his dogs bark and know the kind of game the dog is tracking or hunting.

Coat

The coat of the Small Munsterlander should be smooth, medium long, wavy and thick with feathering on the legs, chest, tail and ears. The color of their coat can be roan pattern, chestnut and white with darker markings and speckling.

Temperament

Small Munsterlanders are very sociable little dogs. When they're properly trained, they can be the perfect family pet. They're well-behaved and love to please their owner. These dogs are affectionate, courageous and can be playful. They're highly intelligent and take well to training. They make excellent guard dogs.

Training

The Small Munsterlander is highly intelligent and trains easily especially in retrieving. Training should be conducted with firmness, fairness, gentleness and positive reinforcement. Don't over train these dogs or it can be unhealthy for them. Also, don't force these dogs or they'll resist.