Little Munster Spaniel
region Germany
cut 48 - 56cm
weight 14.5 - 16.5kg
hair long sober, firmly applied, slightly wavy on the hanging ears and exceeding the tips of these
dress The base color is white or dappled white with brown patches, sometimes also forming a coat. The head is usually decorated with a chamfer or a white flake.
head noble, endlessly remarkable, but with definite features distinguishing the sexes
eyes Dark eyes close well in the corners of the eyelids
ear Not too heavy hanging ears, with pointed ends are set high.
tail carried straight that is slightly curved upwards in its last third and trimmed with a beautiful plume
behaviour obedient, bold, energetic, good-natured
federation FCI Nomenclature Group 7 Section 1 no 102
introduction
Care: Not too easy to care for, brush and comb daily. Utility: hunting, family and guard dog Life expectancy: 13 to 14 years
origins
The Small Munster Spaniel is likely a descendant of the Medieval Spaniel and the Germanic Goshawk, as well as being a close relative of the French Spaniel. In its restricted country of origin, the region of Munster, it was used at the end of the 19th century mainly as a shepherd and hunting dog. But as the German Shorthaired Pointer and later the German Wirehaired Pointer became more and more preferred by hunters, the breed was greatly decimated at the beginning of the 20th century. It is thanks to the German breeder Löns and by a severe selection undertaken especially between 1925 and 1935 that the breed was able to regain its homogeneity, to consolidate to finally obtain the valid standard in 1936. It is also from Löns that the name of "heather quail", probably deduced from the use of the dog for quail hunting. It is in France, Sweden and Norway where it is used mainly for hunting in the forest, that the small Munster spaniel is currently the most widespread.