Large Munsterlander

The Large Munsterlander originated from the Munster area in Germany and descended from the bird dog, the German Longhaired Pointer (GLP) in the 1880s. In fact, it is believed that the Large Munsterlander came from the GLP litters (a subtype) with all colourations, except liver and white, which is the standard colour of the GLP. These multi-coloured litters were given away to farmers and hunters in the Munster area in Germany, where they do not discriminate dog colour.

It was in 1919 that the Large Munsterlander was recognised as a separate breed in its own right. In 1922, early fanciers introduced the spaniel bloodline in the mix to create a new derivation of the breed and develop its standards. The result of the new breed of the Large Munsterlander was recognised by the German Kennel Club in 1922 with 82 registrations.

The Large Munsterlander was recognised by The Kennel Club in 1971. However, its low volume of annual registrations and people's preference to keep it as a hunting dog make it an unpopular dog to keep as a family pet, despite its kind, loyal and affectionate nature.

The Large Munsterlander is a medium to large dog weighing 59 to 66 pounds and standing 58 to 65 centimetres at the withers. It is a well-proportioned breed that carries itself with pride. It boasts of a well-balanced, long and easy stride, typical of a gundog. Its head is nicely balanced with the rest of the body with a moderately dome-shaped skull minus a pronounced stop. It has a strong jaw to retrieve live game and well-developed black nose with a wide nostril to smell and point hunters the location of the prey.

Large Munsterlanders have long and dense coats with a great deal of feathering on the legs and tail. The hair on its head is shorter and smoother, lying flat on its head. Accepted standard breed colours of a Large Munsterlander include white and black, blue roan, and black.

Their coats are easy to groom and can be dealt with a weekly brushing, although the feathering on the legs and tails will need a little tidying up to keep it clean and in excellent condition.

Other grooming regimens, including brushing its teeth two to three times a week to avoid oral problems such as gum disease and bad breath. The ears should be checked and cleaned out at least once a week to prevent ear infections. Look out for clicking sounds on the floor, which means it's time to trim its nails.

Large Munsterlanders form a strong attachment with its family and do not like to be left alone for extended periods. Thus, this dog breed is well-suited to households where one family members stay at home. Nevertheless, Munsterlanders are an excellent choice for inexperienced dog owners since they are intelligent and easy to train, as long as the owner can dedicate enough time to provide them with enough exercise.

The Large Munsterlander has natural affinity with children and are extra careful around them. However, like in most dogs, supervision is necessary when playing games to make sure both the children and the dog stay safe, especially given the size of the Munsterlander.

• Senior and less active: up to 1,340 calories daily
• Typical adults: up to 1,500 calories daily
• Physically active/working dogs: up to 1,670 calories daily

Since only a few puppies are registered from the Large Munsterlander litter, it is inevitable that to buy a Large Munsterlander puppy one must be on a waitlist. However, this is not as bad as you think, since the waiting can help you get the funds you need for the purchase as well as for other expenses necessary to raise it. Below is a breakdown of some costs required for a Large Munsterlander:

• The purchase price is not less than £500 for a well-bred puppy.
• Getting a pet insurance will set you back £30 to £65 a month.
• Buying high-quality dog food will cost around £40 to £50 a month, minus treats.
• Veterinary costs (include vaccination, boosters and neutering) can quickly add up to £1,100 annually.
• Initial dog supplies and equipment can cost more or less £200, depending on the quality you buy.