Large Munsterlander 

     The History    

The Large Munsterlander originated in German, and may be traced back to the early 19th century. Once recognised as the black & white versions of the Deutsch Langhaar - German Longhaired Pointer, the Large Munsterlanders history is one of a breed trying desperately to survive, whilst the world around it threatened its extinctionIn 1878 the Deutsch Langhaar breed name was fixed, at this time they decided that the black & white offspring could not be registered. Consequently many black & white puppies were put down at birth, with only a few being allowed to survive, given away to gamekeepers and farm workers. It was with these people that the breed started to gain a following. Several years later the breed club was convinced to readmit the black & whites for registration. A somewhat short lived decision, with them once again being struck off the register in 1908.1919 brought about the most significant event in the breed's history. A meeting of supporters of the black and white dogs was held at Haltern im Munsterland Westphalia. At this meeting the breed name of Grosser Munsterlander - Large Munsterlander was fixed, with registration only going to black and white dogs! A register of these dogs was compiled which totalled 83 Large MunsterlandersAt last the breed seemed to be safe, experimental matings with German Longhaired Pointers during the 1930's took place to increase the gene pool. The numbers of Large Munsterlanders added to the list grew and all looked well. Unfortunately life took a turn for the worse for the Large Munsterlander as with all the German breeds with the onset of World War II. Many Munsterlanders found themselves in the hands of military personnel, one litter even being whelped by Benno Fisher at the home of Adolf Hitler. Two less than fortunate dogs ended up at Auschwitz. Once again life had tried to eliminate the Large Munsterlander. Records of the breed, matings and kennels during that time are very sketchy, although it is believed that only six kennels survived the war.Was it not for the efforts of the breeds enthusiasts guided in the breed warden Herr Egon Vornholt, they would surely not have survived. In 1973 the German Longhair was again crossed with the Large Munsterlander to increase the gene pool. In pedigrees the letters DL after a dogs name denotes the dog was a Deutsch Langhaar.Even now the occasional liver and white puppy will be produced in a litter of Large Munsterlanders, from black and white parents

CHARACTERISTICS ***  Multi-purpose gundog, ideal for the rough shooter.  Excellent nose, staying power, and works equally well on land and in water.  A keen worker, easily taught. 

TEMPERAMENT ***  Loyal, affectionate and trustworthy. 

EYES *** Intelligent, medium size, dark brown, not deep set or protruding.  No haw showing. 

MOUTH ***  Strong and sound, with well developed teeth, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. Upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. 

NECK *** Strong muscular, slightly arched, joining the shoulder and chest smoothly. 

HINDQUARTERS ***  Hips broad.  Well muscled thighs, well turned stifles, hocks well let down.  Dewclaws should be removed. 

TAIL -*** Well set on, in line with the back.  Base thick, tapering evenly towards the tip, well feathered.  It should be carried horizontally or curved slightly upwards.  Docking of tip of tail optional. 

GAIT/MOVEMENT ***  Free, long-striding, springy gait 

COLOUR ***  Head solid black, white blaze, snip or star allowed.  Body white or blue roan with black patches, flecked, ticked, or combination of these. 

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

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