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Home > Dogs > Dog Breeds > Small Munsterlander Dog Breed Guide: Info, Pictures, Care & More!

Small Munsterlander Dog Breed Guide: Info, Pictures, Care & More!

small munsterlander dog

The Small Munsterlander is an incredibly intelligent, active, and loving hunting dog. Because it was raised as a hunting dog for German families, this breed is perfect for active families who want a dog to join in on their activities. Even if you have small children in your household, Small Munsterlanders are likely to get along fine with everyone.

Breed Overview

Height:

20.5-21 inches

Weight:

40-60 pounds

Lifespan:

12-14 years

Colors:

Brown & white, brown roan

Suitable for:

Families who want a companion dog for outside activity and fun

Temperament:

Intelligent, passionate, pack-instinct

Because of its intense activity needs, the Small Munsterlander is not for the faint of heart. Actually, this dog is not suited for all people. Only a few families have the right lifestyle to introduce a Small Munsterlander into their home.

To learn whether a Small Munsterlander is right for you and your family, keep reading. This article details all the requirements and unique features of Small Munsterlander ownership, so you can decide if this active but sweet breed is right for you.

Small Munsterlander Characteristics

Energy:
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High-energy dogs will need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy, while low-energy dogs require minimal physical activity. It’s important when choosing a dog to make sure their energy levels match your lifestyle or vice versa.
Trainability:
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Easy-to-train dogs are more skilled at learning prompts and actions quickly with minimal training. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice.
Health:
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Some dog breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every dog will have these issues, but they have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Lifespan:
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Some breeds, due to their size or their breeds potential genetic health issues, have shorter lifespans than others. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet.
Sociability:
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Some dog breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other dogs. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed, it’s important to socialize your dog and expose them to lots of different situations.

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Small Munsterlander Puppies

Small Munsterlander
Image by: MichaelHansen, Shutterstock

The Small Munsterlander are wonderful companion dogs to families who enjoy being in the outdoors with their pup. This intelligent breed should be fairly easy to train. They have boundless amounts of energy so be prepared to exercise with them frequently. If you have kids, they will love running around in the yard with a Small Munsterlander as they are playful and patient with children.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Small Munsterlander

Like most other hunting dogs, Small Munsterlanders are incredibly intelligent, driven, and love to be around people. This dog makes a great companion for active individuals who live an active lifestyle and have many people in the family for these reasons.

Small Munsterlander
Image Credit: Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH, Shutterstock

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

Small Munsterlanders are fantastic for families. Even though they are hunting dogs, they are very affectionate towards humans and children. They are known to be protective over children and watch over them if there are any newcomers or strangers.

At the same time, these dogs love to play with kids. Because they are so energetic and playful, they aren’t afraid to get in the dirt and play with your children outside. They are even incredibly tolerant of the unpredictable nature of kids.

Of course, it’s important to train your Small Munsterlander properly. Likewise, teach your child how to properly play with dogs. Until both the dog and child are well educated on behaving with one another, supervise any playtime. You probably won’t have any issues between the dog and your child.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

Small Munsterlanders get along decently well with other pets. If they are well acclimated to dogs from an early age, Small Munsterlanders tend to be perfectly fine with other dogs, though they can get jealous. Early socialization helps offset any serious jealousy when another dog is introduced to the scene.

Small Munsterlanders are not as great with smaller animals. Because these dogs were used as hunters, their prey drive may kick in around cats and other small animals. For this reason, it’s important to socialize the dog early if you have other small animals in your home. Most likely, early socialization will do the trick with cats, but that might not be the case for rats and other small animals.

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Things to Know When Owning a Small Munsterlander:

Even though Small Munsterlanders are intelligent and well-behaved dogs, they are difficult to own for many individuals. It’s important that you understand all of the requirements that come with owning this dog before purchasing one. As great as they may be, they are suited for most homes today.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Like most other dogs, you want to tailor your Small Munsterlander’s food to its phase of life. For example, begin the dog on a puppy formula, but upgrade the food to an adult and senior formula when the time comes.

More so, select food that is specific for medium to large-sized dogs. These foods often come with ingredients that will help protect the joints and frame of this active and relatively big dog. Talk to your vet if you aren’t sure what food is best for your dog specifically.

In addition to food, provide your dog access to clean, fresh water at all times. Because of how active these dogs are, they drink a lot of water.

small munsterlander_Peggychoucair_Pixabay
Image Credit: Peggychoucair, Pixabay

Exercise 🐕

Arguably the most difficult aspect of owning a Small Munsterlander is their intense exercise requirements. These dogs are incredibly intelligent and incredibly active. These two features mean that the dogs need both mental and physical stimulation.

At the very minimum, Small Munsterlanders need at least one hour of activity and stimulation every day, but some need even more. Most individuals cannot provide this dog with the right amount of activity and exercise it requires.

More so, Small Munsterlanders need a lot of physical activity outdoors. Because these dogs were bred to hunt, they loved to run and stretch their legs. They simply are not suited for apartment living. If you live in an apartment or don’t like outside time, a Small Munsterlander is not for you.

Training 🎾

One thing that’s a bit easier when it comes to Small Munsterlanders than other breeds is that they are relatively easy to train. These dogs are very willful on their own and will do anything they can to please their master. As a result, these dogs are pretty easy to train.

That being said, Small Munsterlanders take a bit longer to mature than other dogs. Your Small Munsterlander will not be mentally an adult until at least two years old. That doesn’t mean the dog will be mischievous for two years. It simply means it might not meet its full mental capacities until that time.

Because of how active these dogs are, training and socialization are a must. With a lot of training, the dog will likely get along great with other humans and children. Not to mention, frequent training will help to keep the dog entertained and tired down.

Grooming ✂️

Small Munsterlanders don’t require a ton of grooming, but they need some. These dogs have a double coat that keeps them warm, but it also means that they need occasional brushings. These occasional brushings will keep the coat shiny and minimize the amount of shed hair in your home.

Make sure to trim the dog’s nails whenever needed. If your dog is very active outside, nail clippings might not be as frequent, but keep an eye on them, nevertheless. Also, keep an eye on your dog’s ears. Check weekly to ensure there is no excessive wax buildup or debris.

Lastly, clean your dog’s teeth weekly at the minimum. There are plenty of dog-safe toothbrushes and different kinds of toothpastes to make the job a bit easier. Be sure to introduce the dog to the toothbrush before getting started so as not to scare it.

Small Munsterlander
Image Credit: KiraHundeDog, Pixabay

Health and Conditions 🏥

Small Munsterlanders are incredibly healthy dogs. Especially if you select a reputable breeder, you can expect your Small Munsterlander to live a long and happy life. The only health condition associated with this breed is hip dysplasia.

Minor Conditions
  • Hip dysplasia
Serious Conditions
  • None with proper breeding

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Male vs. Female

There are very few differences between male and female Small Munsterlanders since they were all used for hunting purposes. Males may be slightly larger, but not by much. Males are typically only about ¾ an inch taller.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Small Munsterlander

1. The Small Munsterlander is from Germany.

The Small Munsterlander is a German hound. Some other names that refer to the same dog include Kleiner Münsterländer, Vorstehhund, Spion, and Heidewachtel, though Münsterländer is the second most common name.

The true origins of this breed are not clearly known. All that is known is that the breed descended from various long-coated German Spaniels. It wasn’t until 1921 that the breed standard was drawn up.


2. He’s a fantastic hunting companion.

Because Small Munsterlanders were originally used almost exclusively for hunting purposes, they make fantastic companions on hunts. They have a great sense of smell and are determined and passionate. Not to mention, they will go anywhere their owner goes.


3. Small Munsterlanders make great rescue dogs.

Today, no dog breed is exclusively used for hunting. Although many serious hunters still love Small Munsterlanders for hunting purposes, these dogs also make fantastic rescue dogs. Because of their hunting background, these dogs are fantastic at finding individuals in need and rescuing them.

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Final Thoughts

Small Munsterlanders make great pets for active families that want a dog with them on every adventure. These dogs are great around nearly all people and look forward to falling asleep at their master’s foot every night. If you are an active family that wants an active dog, you will more than likely love the Small Munsterlander.

In contrast, do not get the Small Munsterlander if you live in an apartment or live a relatively sedentary lifestyle. Even if you go hiking on occasion, that is not enough activity for this super active dog. Your lifestyle must include serious outside activity daily.

If you decide that a Small Munsterlander is right for you, make sure to get the dog from a reputable breeder. If you do, you will most likely have an incredibly healthy dog that is happy to see you and your whole family.


Featured Image Credit: Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH, Shutterstock

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