The origins of the Small Munsterlander can be traced to the midst of the 19th century shrouded in the rural history of Germany. Following transformations in German hunting laws, the expansion of hunting devotees and the methodical management of game populations, the stage was set for the advent of new German Pointing Dogs. By around 1870 reports circulated of long-coated German Spaniels known locally as 'Wachtelhunds,' gaining notoriety in the Munsterland region for their steadfast pointing, remarkable tracking skills and adeptness in retrieval.
In the early 20th century, the famed poet Hermann Lons played a pivotal role in the breed's development. In 1906, he issued a call-to-action in the magazine 'Unser Wachtelhund seeking information on the remnants of the red Hannoverian Heath Hound breed. What he found with assistance from his brothers, were exemplary examples of pointing Wachtelhunds in rural homesteads, which they affectionately termed 'Heidewachtel.'
Noteworthy dog lovers like Baron von Bevervörde-Lohburg and other enthusiasts like Mr. Heitmann, a teacher from Burgsteinfurt were instrumental in nurturing viable breeding stocks in varying locales. This collective effort led to the advent of the 'Dorsten type,' a breeding line that emerged in Westphalia. On March 17, 1912, this culminated in the establishment of the 'Verband fur Kleine Münsterländer Vorstehhunde' (Small Munsterlander Pointer Club), which dedicated itself to the pure and earnest breeding of the long-coated small pointer indigenous to the Munsterland, a task complicated by the absence of clearly defined breed traits at that time.
It was not until 1921, with the guidance of Friedrich Jungklaus that a breed standard was adopted, paving the way forward for the breeders. However, the precise lineage of these dogs remains a mystery.
Engineered to excel in various hunting tasks by instinct, the Small Munsterlander was designed as a versatile hunting companion, capable of pursuing, pointing, retrieving and tracking all manners of game across both dense underbrush and aquatic environments. Beyond their hunting prowess, the breed was equally cherished for its sterling qualities as a family pet.
FRIENDLINESS
LIVELINESS
VIGILANCE INTENSITY
ADAPTATION CAPACITY