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Gundog · Germany

Small Münsterländer

A walker's guide to the Small Münsterländer: how much exercise they need, what to expect on and off the lead, and what to ask the owner before the first walk.

Medium, 18 to 27 kgHigh energyHPR gundogLoves waterFeathered coatNeeds a job
Exercise a day90 min plus
Energy4 of 5
Walk styleBusy, hunting, eager
With other dogsSociable, friendly

Overview

The Small Münsterländer, or Kleiner Münsterländer, is a medium-sized gundog from north-west Germany, brown and white with a feathered coat and a cheerful expression. Despite the name it is not a small version of the Large Münsterländer but a separate breed, closer to the long-haired continental spaniels. It is well established in Europe and has a growing UK following among working gundog owners.

The breed is intelligent, eager and people-focused, which makes it a pleasure to train. Its hunting drive is strong and it will quarter ground, point birds and plunge into water without being asked. A walker gets a happy dog if that drive has somewhere to go.

Exercise and walking needs

An hour and a half to two hours a day for a fit adult, including off-lead running where safe. The dog covers a lot of ground and does best when it has a task: retrieving, scent trails or structured hunting on a long line.

Water is a magnet. Expect swimming in any river or pond the dog can reach and plan for drying time afterwards.

Daily minimum100 minutes
Ideal2 walks a day
Off-lead timeWith training

On the walk

  • Recall: Generally good with training, as the breed wants to work with its handler. Birds and rabbits will still test it, so build the recall in quiet places first.
  • Pulling: Moderate, mostly from excitement at the start. Settles with a calm beginning and a harness.
  • Other dogs: Friendly and sociable. Enjoys energetic group walks with other active dogs and rarely causes trouble.
  • Mud and water: The feathering gathers mud, burrs and water. Carry a towel and allow time to check ears and feet.

Tips for professional walkers

  1. Bring a retrieve toy and use it to give the walk structure and the dog a purpose.
  2. Check between the toes and under the ear flaps for grass seeds in summer.
  3. Use a whistle if the dog is trained to one; it carries further than your voice in open country.
Every dog is an individual. Treat this as a starting point and go with what the owner tells you about their dog. Anything to do with health belongs with the owner and their vet.

What to ask the owner

  • Does the dog work a whistle, and which commands does the owner rely on in the field?
  • Is the dog allowed to swim, and are there waters nearby the owner would rather it avoided?
  • Any history of chasing livestock or deer, and how does the owner manage it?
Large MünsterländerA German huntGerman Longhaired PointerA calmDrentse PatrijshondA Dutch farm gundogBrittanyA compact