Munsterlander (Small) or Heidewachtel

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN Germany

MOST SUITED AS Field sports dog and family pet.

SIZE
The shoulder-height is 50 - 56cm (19 1/2 - 22in) for dogs and 52 - 56cm (20 1/2 - 22in) for bitches. Variations of 2cm (1/2in) are permitted.

COAT
The Heidewachtel ( or small Munsterlander) has a long-haired coat that is lank or lightly waved. The colour is usually brown with white but brown roan is also permissible.

CARE REQUIRED
Check the ear passages regularly to ensure they are clean and remove any excess hair in the ears, and trim such hair between the pads of the feet. The coat should be groomed with brush and comb about twice a week. Occasionally light-brown hairs appear on the brown areas of the coat. These hairs should be plucked out. These dogs are only fully physically mature at three years.

CHARACTER
The Heidewachtel loves to swim(got that pool owners?), is obedient, intelligent, cunning, gentle-natured, cheerful, and fairly tough on itself.

TRAINING
These fine family pets want to please their hand­ler. Train them with a gentle but consistent approach.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
Dogs of this breed are renowned for getting on well with children. They also mix well with other dogs and household pets without any problem.

EXERCISE
This is primarily a field sports dog with tremendous stamina. If you are unable to work them in the field, then find alternatives such as agility skills trials or fly-ball - which are both ideal for them. Take this dog regularly to woods and open countryside and let it retrieve objects out of the water, they love it and will hit the water with a splash from a full run.