Overview
The Large Münsterländer is a modern German pointing dog of spaniel type, named after the Münsterland region of Westphalia. It is athletic, elegant and muscular without being bulky.
A versatile gundog that searches, points, tracks and retrieves on land and in water, it thrives with active owners who give it a job to do and plenty of exercise.
History
The breed shares its roots with the German Long-haired Pointer. When black-and-white coats were removed from that breed's standard in the early 1900s, breeders of the black-and-white dogs formed their own society in 1919 in Haltern, Münsterland.
A list of eighty-three foundation dogs was published in the first stud-book in 1922. The FCI accepted the breed in 1954, the British Kennel Club in 1971 and the American Kennel Club in 2023.
Appearance
An elegant, well-muscled dog of roughly square build. Males stand around 60 to 67 cm at the withers, with females about 2 cm less, and weigh about 30 kg.
The coat is black and white, medium in length, dense, sleek and sometimes lightly wavy. The head is usually mostly black and the tip of the tail white, while the amount of black on the body varies greatly from dog to dog.
Temperament
A clever, steady and loyal dog that thrives on partnership with its people. It is generally good-natured and gentle at home, but needs purpose and activity.
It learns well and responds to firm, kind and consistent training. It is alert and tends to be reserved with strangers.
Care and exercise
This is a working gundog that needs substantial daily exercise and real mental tasks such as tracking, retrieval or field work. It enjoys swimming.
The long, thick coat benefits from regular brushing, and burrs and debris should be removed after walks in cover. Check the ears regularly.
