Small Münsterländer

Also known as: Heidewachtel, Münsterländer

The Small Münsterländer, despite the name, isn't really a smaller version of the Large Münsterländer, its roots trace to old German falconry dogs used well before firearms entered the hunt. Males weigh around 27 kilograms, a medium, agile build suited to both pointing and retrieving. The coat is medium length with feathering on the legs and tail, needing regular brushing. The breed stayed little known outside Germany for a long time, only gaining wider recognition in recent decades. Temperament runs lively and driven, it needs serious exercise or that energy tends to surface in less welcome ways. It bonds closely with its family and generally does well with children. Life expectancy runs 12 to 14 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Small Münsterländer: how old in human years?

50–56 cmHeight
20–27 kgWeight
12–14 yrsLife expectancy

Drentse Patrijshond

FCI group: Pointing Dogs
FCI section: Section 1.1: Continental Pointing Dogs, Type Braque
FCI: 102
Country of origin: Germany

Energy level

5/5
Trainability

4/5
Family friendly

4/5
Grooming need

3/5

At a glance

Height

Males 52–56 cm

Females 50–54 cm

Weight

Males 20–27 kg

Females not specified

Life expectancy

12–14 yrs

Coat

medium length, feathered (medium-length)

Temperament & Family Life

Small Münsterländer's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is moderate.

Family friendly 4/5
Good with children 4/5
Good with other dogs 3/5
Friendly with strangers 3/5
Intelligence 4/5
Trainability 4/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Small Münsterländer's energy and exercise needs are high.

Energy level 5/5
Exercise need 5/5
Apartment friendly 2/5
Prey drive 5/5
Hunting instinct 5/5

Guarding & Alertness

Small Münsterländer's guarding and alertness traits are moderate.

Guarding instinct 2/5
Watchfulness 3/5
Barking level 3/5

Grooming & Care

Small Münsterländer's grooming needs are low.

Shedding 3/5
Drooling 1/5
Grooming need 3/5

Living with the Small Münsterländer

At the edge of a meadow it suddenly freezes, one paw raised, neck stretched, the plume of its tail trembling, and you haven't the faintest idea yet that there's a partridge in the grass. The Small Münsterländer is a German all-round gundog, bred to search, point, track and retrieve on land and from water, and that whole hunter's program is running from puppyhood.

It has so much energy that an ordinary lead walk is only a warm-up. Every day it needs long off-lead runs somewhere safe, swimming, search games, tracking or hunting. It learns quickly and gladly, particularly when a task feels like work, and it is sensitive to a harsh tone, so praise and consistency will get you further. Its prey drive and hunting instinct are very strong: recall takes long, patient practice, and cats and small pets need careful introductions.

Indoors it is gentle and affectionate and likes to be near the family, good with children and, properly introduced, with other dogs. It is friendly to strangers and will tell you someone is at the door, but it is no guard. A flat is cramped for it, and long hours alone bore it; it does best with an active family or a hunter who has a garden and happily spends weekends in the fields and by the water.

Grooming and coat

The Small Münsterländer's coat is of medium length, straight or slightly wavy, with feathering on the ears, the backs of the legs and the tail. That feathering is exactly what carries half the forest home after a walk: burrs, needles, seeds. Brush and comb it once or twice a week, and after outings check the feathering and pick out whatever got caught before it turns into a mat. It sheds moderately, more at the turn of the seasons.

Its hanging, hairy ears stay damp for a long time after a swim or a rainy walk, so lift them and look inside every week; redness, discharge or a bad smell is a reason to see a vet. The hair between the pads can be trimmed, and the nails need attention if they don't wear down on their own. After a dip in the pond, a towel is all it takes: the coat dries quickly and sorts itself out.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

We don't have reliable health information specific to this breed, so we don't list conditions here. Keep up regular vet check-ups, and if you are getting a puppy, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Food for large breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (27 kg) rather than the breed itself: shops label food by dog size, so every breed of the same size gets the same list. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 315 g of dry food a day, from €17,25 a month For a neutered, normally active 23,5 kg dog. Calculate for your dog