What the Heck is a Large Munsterlander?

They’re focused. They’re smart.

And they look like they should be at a fancy dog show instead of showing up other receivers in the muck and mud of waterfowl country.

I’m talking about the Large Munsterlander.

A what you ask?

A Large Munsterlander, one of the best duck dogs you have most likely never seen.

Originally hailing form the Munster region of Germany they are an offshoot of the German Longhaired Pointer and were recognized by the UK Kennel Club in 1971.

According to Wikipedia this field dog characteristically is calm, gentle with children and well adjusted to living in the master’s dwelling. The versatile characteristics of the breed provide for a reliable companion for hunting.

“A recent comparison of the scores of 82 Large Munsterlanders with 104 other versatile breeds entered in North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA) tests showed that the Large Munsterlander is a versatile dog with a difference. On average, Large Munsterlanders work closer and are more responsive to the handler than other breeds although the Large Munsterlander’s pointing instinct matures later. The breed displayed greater cooperation than other breeds and an excellent concentration in the tracking and recovery of crippled game birds.”

I first learned of the breed a little over a decade ago and then met Zack Lemann of Louisiana who owns a beautiful male named Baker.

Here are some shots of Baker in the field. At 13 years of age he has likely retrieved his last duck according to Lemann but this beautiful dog has served his master well and retrieved many downed waterfowl over the years.

So here’s to Baker and all of his kind…

Chester Moore