Live Life Team
Münsterländer dogs originate from the Münster region of Germany. While there are two breeds of dog listed under the Münsterländer name, they aren’t very closely related. There are Large Münsterländers and Small Münsterländers. The names suggest the difference in size between the breeds. Large Münsterländers average a weight of around 30 kilograms while Small Münsterländers average 20 kilograms. Also, the large version of this breed has a height between 58 and 65 centimetres while the smaller version is between 45 and 55 centimetres in height.
Another big difference between the two Münsterländer breeds is their history. Large Münsterländers have been used as hunting dogs for centuries. They are often depicted in paintings from as far back as the Middle Ages. As show dogs, they were first recognized by the Kennel Club in England in the year of 1919.
The Small Münsterländer doesn’t have as regal a past. It is a descendant of the Drentsche Patrijshond and the Epagneul Français dog breeds. Although they were first used as hunting dogs for aristocracy, they were soon taken over by countrymen of a lower stature. Small Münsterländers aren’t used as much as their larger counterparts, so they are hard to find in the United Kingdom. While the Large Münsterländer was recognized by the Kennel Club in 1919, the Small Münsterländer was recognized in 2006 as an imported breed.
While Münsterländer breeds look similar and both have great hunting abilities, the Large Münsterländer is easier to handle in regards to its temperament. Both breeds interact well with humans, but the Large Münsterländer can better tolerate inconsistent treatment.
