Large Munsterlander Association of America
Large Munsterlander Breed History
The Large Munsterlander is a breed of versatile hunting dog that originated in the area of Münster in northwestern Germany. Originally a black-and-white color variation of the German Longhaired Pointer, the LM gained official recognition as a separate breed in 1919 when the German Longhaired Pointer club chose to no longer recognize the black color variation.
The LM is a black-and-white dog with hair of medium length. In its German homeland and some other countries, this dog has been bred for over a century for hunting and not the show ring. Hence coat color is highly variable, ranging from predominantly white to predominantly black. Markings occur as solid black and white patches, or ticked or roan regions. The head remains primarily black.
The Large Munsterlander is characteristically calm, gentle and intelligent, and is therefore valued as a family dog as well as a hunting companion. The versatile and cooperative nature of the LM provides for a reliable foundation for all facets of hunting. It is well suited for a variety of game, including the tracking of big game. LMs are adept at adjusting their search pattern relative to the cover conditions at hand, performing well outside of gun range in open country and reducing their range in dense cover. Under all circumstances, they remain responsive to the handler and not independent.
LMs excel as bird finders before and after the shot due to their excellent noses, and a purposeful searching style emphasizing thoughtful coverage rather than speed. Many LMs point with intensity from early puppyhood, and many also honor naturally. Given their passion for retrieving, steadiness needs to be encouraged through training.
Large Munsterlanders are strong in the water, their long thick coat affords protection from the cold and allows them to search dense cover thoroughly. Even so, their coat is a compromise well-suited for temperate climates. Shorthaired breeds may be better suited for upland hunting in the hot South, while the oily and dense coats of retrieving specialists make them better suited for prolonged water work late-season in the far North.
The Large Munsterlander was introduced to North America by Kurt von Kleist of the United States in 1966. To date, over 80 dogs have been imported from Europe and over 2,000 puppies have been registered in North America. Since its introduction to North America, the LM breeding program and registry have been carefully administered as described above. The Large Munsterlander Club of North America was revised in 2012, bringing rise to the Large Munsterlander Association of America (LMAA) in the U.S., and the Large Munsterlander Association of Canada (LMAC). Under the continued guidance of LMAA, Large Munsterlanders in the United States will continue to demonstrate the versatile hunting dog abilities that have traditionally characterized the breed.