What is a Small Munsterlander?
GENERAL APPEARANCE : Strong and harmonious build of medium size, showing balanced proportions with a lot of quality and elegance. Distinguished head. In upright posture the dog displays flowing outlines with horizontally carried tail. Its front legs are well feathered, the hind legs with breeches, the tail has a distinct flag. Its glossy coat should be straight or slightly wavy, dense and not too long. Its movement is harmonious and far reaching.
IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS : The length of the body of a Small Munsterlander from point of shoulders to the buttocks should exceed the height at the withers by not more than 5 cm. The length of the skull from the occiput to the stop is equal to the length of the muzzle from the stop to the nose.
BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT : The Small Munsterlander is intelligent and capable of learning, full of temperament but even, with steady character; its attitude towards people is alert and friendly (suitable for family life), with good social behaviour and orientation towards his master (team spirit); with passionate, persevering predatory instinct, versatile hunting aptitudes and strong nerves and keenness for game.
HEAD : The expression of the head is part of the type.
CRANIAL REGION :
Skull : Distinguished, lean, flat to slightly arched.
Stop : Only slightly pronounced but distinctly recognizable.
FACIAL REGION :
Nose : Wholecolored brown.
Muzzle : Powerful, long, straight.
Lips : Short, tight closing, well pigmented – wholecolored brown.
Jaws / teeth : Large white teeth. Powerful jaws with regular and complete scissor bite with the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws. 42 teeth according to the dentition formula.
Cheeks : Strong, well muscled.
Eyes : Of medium size, neither protruding nor deep set. As dark brown as possible. Eyelids tight fitting to the eyeballs, covering the haws.
Ears : Broad, set on high, lying close to the head, tapering towards the tips, ear leather should not reach beyond the corner of the mouth.
NECK : Its length in balance with the general appearance; gradually widening towards the body. Napeline slightly arched, very muscular. Tight fitting throat skin.
BODY :
Topline : Slightly sloping in a straight line.
Withers : Pronounced.
Back : Firm, well muscled. The spinal processes should be covered by the musculature.
Loins : Short, broad, muscular.
Croup : Long and broad, not short slanting, only slightly sloping towards the tail; well muscled. Broad pelvis.
Chest : Rather deep than broad, breastbone reaching as far backwards as possible. Ribs well arched.
Underline and belly : Slight tuck-up towards the rear in an elegant curve; lean.
TAIL : Set on high, with long flag, strong at the base, then tapering. Of medium length. Carried downwards in repose, horizontally and not too high above the level of the topline with a slight sweep when in action. In the lower third it may be curved slightly upwards.
LIMBS :
FOREQUARTERS : Viewed from the front straight and rather parallel, viewed from the side legs set well under the body. The distance from the ground to the elbows should be approximately equal to the distance from the elbows to the withers.
Shoulders : Shoulder blades lying close to the body, strongly muscled. Shoulder and upperarm forming a good angle of approximately 90 °.
Upper arm : As long as possible, well muscled.
Elbows : Close to the body, neither turning in nor out. The upper arm forming a good angle with the forearm.
Forearm : Strong bones, perpendicular to the ground.
Carpal joint : Strong.
Pasterns : Very slightly sloping.
Front feet : Round and arched with well knit toes and sufficiently thick, tough, robust pads. Not too heavy coat. Parallel in stance or in movement, neither turning in nor out.
HINDQUARTERS : Viewed from the rear straight and parallel. Correct angulation in stifles and hocks. Strong bones.
Upper thigh : Long, broad, muscular; forming a good angle with the pelvis.
Stifle : Strong, upper and lower thigh forming a good angle.
Lower thigh : Long, muscular and sinewy.
Hock joint : Strong.
Metatarsus : Short, perpendicular to the ground.
Hind feet : Round and arched with well knit toes and sufficiently thick, tough, robust pads; not too heavy coat. Parallel in stance or in movement, neither turning in nor out.
GAIT / MOVEMENT : Ground covering, with good drive and appropriate reach, straight forward and parallel coming and going, with well upstanding posture. Pacing gait is undesirable.
SKIN : Tight fitting, without folds.
COAT :
HAIR : Dense, of medium length, not or only slightly wavy, close lying, water-repellent. The outlines of the body may not be hidden by too long coat. By its density it should provide as good a protection against weather, unfavorable terrain conditions and injuries as possible. Short smooth coat on the ears is faulty. Forelegs feathered, hind legs with breaching down to the hocks, tail with a long flag and white tip, abundant coat on the fore-chest is undesirable.
COLOR : Brown-white or brown roan with brown patches, brown mantle or brown ticking; blaze permitted. Tan coloured markings at the muzzle, the eyes and around the anus are permissible ("Jungklaus markings“).
SIZE : Height at withers: Dogs: 54 cm. Bitches: 52 cm.
A deviation of +/- 2 cm is within the standard.