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HEIDEWACHTEL

History

The breed is thought to be over 500 years old, originating from the Munsterland area of northwest Germany. The breed was formalized in German around the beginning of the 20th century.The origin of the Small Munsterlander Pointer is somewhat uncertain. It is possibly related most closely to the French Brittany through possible common ancestors, the French Espaquenel and Spanish spaniels and pointers. Having been bred for use on all game hunted in Europe, it does an outstanding job on all upland birds, waterfowl, rabbit, and tracking wounded large game where legal. It is useful to search the field, point, and retrieve and does all very well. Small Munsterlander is his enthusiastic desire to retrieve. By careful breeding selection the capability for pointing has been firmly established. At home and in the field the Small Munsterlander is very alert but he is never snappish unless he has often been teased or beaten.
This short write-up would not be complete if the sensitivity of the dog is not mentioned. Many a person has been amused by hearing the dog "tell" a failing shooter about the gunner's lack of shooting ability.Last but not least, the great passion for water must be mentioned. His sleek hair snuggles up in the water and isolates the dog against wetness and cold.

Standard

General Appearance The Small Munsterlander Pointer is one of the versatile continental pointing breeds. It has been bred to handle furred and feathered game equally well on land and in water. It is often described as being similar to a setter and a spaniel. They do look somewhat like a setter, but with a spaniel-type head, however have strong versatile abilities.

Characteristics The Small Munsterlander Pointer is known for having an excellent nose, strong retrieving instinct, and are excellent trackers. Their tail is a communication tool that the hunter should learn to understand. While the Small Munsterlander has a staunch point, flagging or waving of the tail is normal and in this manner the point is different from some onther pointing breeds, although no less intense. Some dogs will sound when on a track or pursuing wounded game.

Temperament Many people that have had Small Munsterlanders consider temperament their biggest virtue. They nomally love people and other dogs. Temperament will vary with individual dogs as in any breed, but they are considered as loving of people, loyal, kind and affectionate.

Height   Dogs: 20 1/2 to 22 inches. Bitches: 19 3/4 to 21 1/4 inches

Color:      Brown and white or roan. Tan colored spots (kiss marks) on
the muzzle and above the eyes is not a defect.

Head     Well proportioned, lean, slightly arched, not too wide skull.

Short stop. Short well closing eyelids with no visible haw.
The nose brown -- light colored spots are undesirable.

Jaws    Strong, straight with tightly fitting lips.

Ears Wide, pointed high on the head. The ears should not reach much further than the lips. Short straight hair on the ears is a defect.

Eyes: Narrow. The lids should close around the eyeballs. Brownm eyes are preferred. Open, round eyes is a defect.

Shoulders: Sloped shoulders with good angulation. Straight forearms and elbows close to the body.

Neck: Medium length, slightly curved and strong.

Chest Deep and well formed -- not barrel shaped.

Back: Strong, short to medium long with a powerful wide loin.

Abdomen: Slightly tucked-up.

Skin Close and tight.

Coat Close coat with even thickness (smooth coat) and slightly wavy. Wooly and too long a coat is a defect.

Legs:    Front legs straight with feathers. Hind legs well angulated with feathers on the thighs.

Paws:    Round, arched and closed. Too much hair is undesirable.

Tail: Medium length with long feathers, carried straight. The outer
third of the tail may curve upward.

Faults Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note* Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum .