“When all the genetic history has been worked out and the breeding programs are finished, the most important final result that really matters to me are those that produce good hunting dogs.

The German breed club’s emphasis on prey drive clearly shows up in the Large Munsterlander’s intensity on a duck search.

“The good-hunting-dog-factor applies as well for training and testing. A well-trained dog is important, along with top prizes in NAVHDA Natural Ability and Utility tests. But in the end, a dog that will hunt is most significant to a majority of the LM owners I know,” Shreve adds.

“My hunting buddies and I open the Minnesota ruffed grouse season in September when the leaves are still up, making shots at the birds tough to impossible. But we go anyway because this is a great chance to give our dogs some good exercise and experience for later when the leaves are gone,” Shreve continues.

“Then we go to North Dakota for ducks, geese and prairie grouse and then to South Dakota for pheasants. In December and January, Texas is the place for bobwhite quail and waterfowl. By February our Munsterlanders may have been in the field from 50 to 70 days during the whole season. This is the final exam and the real test of their genetics and our training.”

Owning A Large Munsterlander
“Do your homework!” is Mike Melotik’s advice to anyone interested in owning a Large Munsterlander. As president of the Large Munsterlander Club of North America (LMCNA) and owner of LMs for nearly 20 years, Melotik tells anyone interested in this breed to thoroughly research these dogs before acquiring one. “Educate yourself on this breed in general so that when you search for a puppy you don’t impulsively buy one from the first litter you find,” Melotik advises.

Also, read the book The Large Munsterlander: Twenty Years In North America by Joseph Schmutz, Breed Warden for the Large Munsterlander Club of North America.

The breed standard for Large Munsterlanders includes males from 24 to 28 inches in height and 59 to 76 pounds in weight and females from 22 to 26 inches tall and 50 to 60 pounds. Coat color is black and white with ticking in either color and mostly black heads; the coat is dense hair of medium length. From left to right with their Large Munsterlanders are Tiegan Shreve, Curt Shreve (Tiegan’s father), Don Orke, Pete Hagedorn and Mike Melotik.

“The best breeders will be asking you questions about Large Munsterlanders and why you want one. So be ready to impress them with your knowledge about these dogs,” Melotik suggests.

“Study up on the Large Munsterlander by going to the Large Munsterlander Club of North America Web site: www.LMCNA.com. There you will find a detailed description of the Large Munsterlander, a complete bibliography of reading material and a list of breeders who are in the LMCNA.

“If at all possible, make arrangements to see Large Munsterlanders at a couple of breeders’ kennels. And for sure watch the dogs at work in the field and on the water. Spend time with the dogs and the breeder to be certain this breed is a good choice for you,” Melotik emphasizes.

“Plan to actually hunt with someone’s well-started or, better yet, finished Large Munsterlander so you can see how they handle upland game birds or waterfowl. If the regular hunting season isn’t open, go to a hunting preserve for pheasants, chukar partridge or bobwhite quail.

“Or buy some pigeons or pen-raised game birds and set them up in a field just so you can see how these dogs handle themselves on live feathers. Likewise, purchase a pen-raised mallard, shackle its wings and then let the bird go in some water. When the duck is 75 feet out, release the dog so it can show its prey drive and tracking ability,” Melotik adds.