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Working standard

     Small Münasterländer

Standard FCI n.102

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Germany

UTILIZATION: Versatile working gundog
BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT: The Kleiner Münsterländer 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 keeps close contact with his master (team spirit); with passionate, persevering predatory instinct, versatile hunting aptitudes and strong nerves and keenness for game. The dog must have the natural abilities required to hunt in close cooperation with its handler in the field, forest and water (versability), and to retrieve game to the hunter.

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: Whole coloured brown.

Muzzle: Powerful, long, straight.

Lips: Short, tight closing, well pigmented – whole coloured 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 dentition formula. An over- or under number of 2 x P1 is permissible.

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 following the topline, 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:

General appearance: 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 upper arm forming a good angle of approximately 110°.

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:

General appearance: 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, unfavourable terrain conditions and injuries as possible. Short smooth coat on the ears is faulty. Forelegs feathered, hindlegs with breeching down to the hocks, tail with a long flag and white tip, abundant coat on the fore chest is undesirable. Colour: Brown-white and brown roan with brown patches, brown mantle or brown ticking; blaze permitted. Tan coloured markings on the muzzle, the eyes and around the anus, and on the ears, tail and legs are permissible („Jungklaus markings “).

SIZE:

Height at withers: Dogs: 54 cm. Bitches: 52 cm. A deviation of +/- 2 cm is within the standard.

Working standard

Preface:

The Small Münsterland Setter (MMS) is a medium-sized, long-haired, versatile dog that has been bred for more than 100 years in its country of origin, Germany.

The MMS has some  peculiarities typical of the breed, which developed over the centuries during its use as a hunting dog in the northwestern German lowlands.

On the one hand, we must emphasize the intelligence of the MMS, which it uses to hunt as effectively as possible with all its senses, and on the other hand, its enormous attachment to the driver, which makes it an excellent cooperative hunting companion. It is a naturally friendly and balanced dog with   high temperament  , and therefore requires rigorous obedience training. Sharpness is desired, as well as shot resistance on land and in water. Thanks to these features, MMS has become a popular hunting companion far beyond the borders of Germany.

They are dogs with great working potential when working in the field, in the water and in the forest, and they can make full use of their hunting passion, mind, joy of work  and aptitude for teamwork.

A. Work in the field

   1. Smell

The MMS has excellent nose performance for pre- and post-shot work, but especially for searching. He is always able to make good use of the wind to find game quickly and often, sometimes to mark  the hangout, find tracks  and work them out. It can quickly wind the animal and stabilize it while moving.

  2. Work on the trail

When working on a trail, the MMS should demonstrate a willingness to follow the trail.

The will to track can be recognized by how he adapts to the work and, taking into account the given circumstances (soil conditions, weather, etc.), he works willingly and in a controlled, concentrated manner and tries to progress even in difficult conditions. Track work  is typical  by calmly staring, after picking up the animal by chasing it  and when losing contact with a hare or fox, trying to find the trail again by looking for it randomly. Ideally, he should follow the warm trail loudly.

Tracking is manifested in the behavior of a dog that has the will to track (prey) as an expression of its innate qualities, i.e. especially in difficult conditions   to search for the path of the trail by calm process and   to work it out exactly.

When evaluating trail work, the will to follow and hold the trail in difficult terrain, weather, wind, and the age of the trail should be evaluated more than just its length.

   3.Searching for

When searching, the body is tense, it moves elegantly, and after catching the scent of the animal, it stops with a distinct position of the head, body and legs. Holds the nose up, semi-high or low against the wind. Often searches with a low nose when working on tracks. The position of his nose always depends on where he can best catch the animal.

His search is close to hunting, characterized by the will to find, he works systematically, comprehensively, briskly  and persistently. At the same time, it also orients itself independently according to the direction of the wind. He shows the joy of work, passion, hunting spirit and feeling for teamwork. He always likes to work for the success of his leader, even without influence and largely on his own.

It adapts to the terrain,  kinds of animals and wind.

When working, it advances against the wind in a transverse search, runs forward after the wind  and returns against the wind. His search speed depends on the quality of his nose.

The search is spacious, but the distance from the leader  about 100 steps should not be exceeded often. 

He allows himself to be controlled at work, even over long distances (leadership, ability to work in a team). At the same time, he repeatedly maintains eye contact with his leader and is ready to fulfill the commands issued (by voice, eye contact,  whistling).

He quickly learns that any activity is prohibited for him until the appropriate order comes from the leader. When he understands that this reduces the overall hunting success, he no longer pursues healthy game. He always tries to help his leader to shoot so that they can catch prey together.

However, MMS must not be wild, because when hunting, it should and must work on the trail of wounded game. He must not pursue fleeing fur or feathered animals without a warrant.

He does not change his search style, even if he has to work with several dogs at the same time (pair search), because he always works for joint hunting success.

Frequent running away and disturbance, aggressive behavior towards a cooperating dog, lack of obedience, weak searching, as well as many loud commands and frequent whistling of the leader are undesirable.

   4.Exhibiting

MMS does not have a special form of expression when exposed. Exhibits in all possible positions. By turning its head against the wind, it remains in a tense position and no longer moves its tail. When exhibiting, all four feet are on the ground, or one front or rear leg is raised. It is also typical for the breed that some MMS crouche   or lie down upon olfactory contact with the animal.

Once the  MMS approaches the animal, he should mark it by exposing it and advancing cautiously or purposefully circling and standing in front of it, or remaining in place until his leader approaches, even for a long time and distance, allowing him to shoot without haste. He knows exactly how to create the best conditions for the leader to shoot. The handler can usually see very well when the animal is no longer fixed in front of the dog or when it has run away. Because the tension in the dog is released and the end of the tail begins to wag slightly. 

It stands equally well with fur or feathered game, although it usually exposes the feathered game at a greater distance.

Balamuting is undesirable when it repeatedly, significantly and for a long time exposes breathing passages without animals.

If the MMS searches with several dogs at the same time, it should also expose or admit simultaneously.

Concurrent exposure means that the second or third dog also exhibits the same animal as the first dog.

Acknowledgment in this case means that the second or next dog stays in the show position if it sees another dog in the same position. The second does not exhibit smell, but only  to a visual signal. The awarding dog should remain in the exhibit until the first dog has completed its work on the game.

 

B. Water work

It is requested that the dog be quiet near the water. On command, the dog should immediately enter the water and do its job.

​   1.Chasing in the reeds

 Working before the shot means MMS has to find waterfowl even in deep water with extensive reeds. It is a job that requires high physical and mental abilities from him. He must have sufficient resistance, endurance and passion for working in the water. It is a work of smell, as in the field, trying to find a waterfowl to displace and force it to take off or leave cover.

   2.Search

 If the dog is sent out looking for shot waterfowl, the MMS should be guided towards the duck. Found waterfowl should be brought without the leader's order.

   3.Live duck track

If the waterfowl is only winged, it tries to get to safety from the dog that is following it. The dog has to concentrate on working with his nose to be able to follow the bird's track on the surface of the water. Ignoring or avoiding live waterfowl are serious mistakes.

If the dog caught a duck in the reeds or drove it out of the cover to the open surface and  there the handler shot her, the dog must retrieve her correctly.

The dog must first hand over the duck before it can shake.

C. Work in the forest

In addition to work in the field and in the water, the little Münsterland setter can also handle a lot of work before and after a shot in the forest.

​   1.Stalking in the forest

Stalking in the forest corresponds to  searching in the field with one big difference, in the forest, eye contact is very limited even due to the size of the MMS, and therefore the dog in this case is required to work consistently "under the gun".

Working under rifle means that the small Münsterland setter can only search as far as the handler is able, given local conditions, to shoot game that is standing or moving away from the dog.

So, while the small Münsterland setter can search in the field at a great distance from the leader, in the forest  he has to search the thickets in the hilly terrain at a distance of about 25-30 m. A winded animal must be exposed, a raised animal must not be chased so that it does not escape the shooter.​

   2.Chase in the woods

A small Münsterland setter is required to be more independent, as he has to go to the assigned area without his handler and be completely alone, without any connection with his handler, who is often far away. He should chase the found animal and, if possible, direct it to one of the hunters or to his leader.

It is essential that the dog has a sense of direction and is loud at least when seen, preferably even on the trail. A dumb dog is absolutely useless for forest hunting. While the handler can follow the dog's hunting with his eyes when searching and working in the field, here he has to rely on hearing. A dog that only hunts visually leaves the hunter or hunters waiting without knowing what is happening in the thicket.

Furthermore, it is very important that the small Münsterland setter does not hunt excessively, i.e. j. to hunt only in  the area intended for hunting and not to leave it, to possibly continue hunting in the adjacent thickets that are yet to be hunted. 

The small Münsterland setter, which hunts only in thickets surrounded by archers, hunts in arches. After finishing work or on command, he quickly comes to his master and allows himself to be tied. Dogs that are only a few meters from their handler   and move back and forth only on the edge of the cover are undesirable.

A dog that is not used for work and stays with its handler must behave absolutely calmly. A dog placed next to its handler must not get up or move away from the place. He must not whine or make noise. All these manifestations would lead to a failed hunt.

Just like when shooting in the field, also when shooting in the thicket or with the noise of the hounds, the dog must behave calmly and must remain controllable.

   3.Work on paint

MMS is very suitable for  track work, because it has the necessary skills and physical prerequisites for it. This includes persistence on the trail, the ability to concentrate and stay calm, a fine nose and a fair amount of controlled sharpness. By constantly circling and barking, he can face a large, defending animal. However, it can also annoy and finally pull down an injured deer animal. Thanks to its loudness, its leader  can also follow it by hearing.

On the painted track, the MMS tucked into the belt works calmly and firmly holds the track. He doesn't get distracted and always tries to successfully complete the trail together with his leader.

D. Bringing

A small Münsterland Setter must only start retrieving at the command of its handler. He should find the piece in the most direct direction possible, immediately pick it up and quickly bring it by the shortest route. After arriving at the handler, the dog must sit down and hand over the piece on command. The fault is squeezing, slow or hesitant bringing of game, as well as lack of obedience   when handing over or incorrectly serving (e.g. throwing, releasing without command) a piece of game brought in.

Weimaraner Short-Haired

Standard FCI n. 99

Country of origin:Germany

Features:

A versatile, easy-to-manage and passionate dog that can be used for hunting, a systematic and persistent search, although not excessively temperamental, with a remarkable nose quality. Sharp towards pests and people, but not aggressive towards people. Reliable in display and work in water. Notable penchant for post-shot work such as trail holding, tracking and fetching.


Breed characteristics


Overall appearance:
Height:

(Withers, measured with a fixed measure) 59-70 cm in dogs, and 57-65 in bitches. A medium-sized hunting dog. Purposeful working type, beautiful shapes, sinewy, strong muscles. Male, or the female type must be clearly sexually distinct.
Farba:

Color silver, fawn or mouse gray, as well as transitions between these shades of colors. Head and veil often lighter. White markings are permissible to a small extent on the chest and on the fingers. Often on the middle of the back a more or less wide dark, "eel stripe". Dogs with pronounced red-yellow tan--can be used in breeding only after the decision of the club and only if they have achieved above-average working results, while individuals cannot expect more than "good". Brown burning is disqualifying.
Coat:

1. Ideal: short, fine (short rough is rarer)
2. Short hard with longer hair (with longer dogs and dense undercoat, so-called "stockhaar")
3. Long-haired
K ad b) medium-long, dense straight, smoothly fitting cover hair with a dense undercoat, moderately formed "feather" and "pants".
K ad c) soft, long top coat with or without undercoat. Smooth or wavy. It can be velvety at the tips of the curtain, long at the point of attachment, hanging down. Length of hair (coating) due to practicality, 3-5 cm on the back and sides--a little longer on the lower side of the neck, on the front chest and on the belly, good "pen" and "pants", but less long fur down. Tail with a good flag, between the toes furred, with less long hair on the head. The perfect formation of fur often occurs only in the second year.

Head:

Head proportionately long, in line with the size of the teeth. In dogs, it is wider than in bitches, but in both the width between the ears is in proportion to the length of the head. From the tip of the nose to the beginning of the forehead a little longer than from there to the crown of the head. A depression in the middle of the forehead, the occipital ridge is slightly to moderately protruding. A clearly visible zygomatic bone behind the eyes. The muzzle (lip) is long and, especially in dogs, massive, in profile it looks almost angular. Surroundings around pointed and tearing teeth of equal strength. Massive, flawless teeth. Nasal back straight, often even arched, never arched downwards. Stop (frontal tilt) noticeable to a very small extent. Proportionally overhanging lips, these as well as the flesh-colored palate. A small corner. Muscular and expressive cheeks. "Dry head".
Hang up:

Hinge wide and rather long, almost reaching the corner of the muzzle, pointedly rounded, set high and narrow. Slightly turned forward in affect, fused.
Nose:

The nose is dark flesh-colored, gradually passing into gray at the back, extending beyond the lower jaw.
Eyes:

The eyes are amber-colored, dark to light, with an intelligent expression, azure blue in puppyhood. Round, slightly obliquely inserted.
Neck:

Neck acting and carried nobly, muscular, almost round, not too short. Strengthening to the shoulders and flowing gracefully into the back and chest area. Without a lobe. The skin on the throat is not too loose.
Hull:

Correct proportions and muscular. The length of the body in relation to the height at the withers is about 12:11.
Chest:

The chest is massive, not too wide with sufficient depth, reaching almost to the elbows, of sufficient length, vaulted without a barrel shape, with long ribs.
Back:

Back more or less longer, but not bent, not built behind and not projecting in front, otherwise firm and muscular, if not - as a breed peculiarity - not defective.
Tail:

The tail should be shortened on the day or two after birth, according to animal protection regulations, for short-haired and stockhaar weim. erectors by 4-4.5 cm. In long-haired Weimaraners, 2-3 vertebrae are removed (corresponding to the length of one willow lamb). The tail is set lower below the back line than in other comparable breeds and shows the original (original) vertically falling tail.
Shoulders:

Shoulder blades well angulated, long, oblique and well adjacent, equipped with strong muscles.
Legs:

Legs in all "tall", not set too wide, sinewy and straight. From elbows to the middle of the forefinger and from the elbows to the withers showing a ratio of length of about 1:1. The elbows are neither turned in nor out, they are free and straight Adjacent. The front leg is correctly connected at the height of the middle to the forechest. The front legs are parallel to each other. The hind legs are long from the pelvis to the heel joint. it is shorter than in the pelvic and tibial joints. Legs also parallel, sinewy, neither turned in nor out. The vertically formed structure of the bones causes a smooth and easy walk. The hind legs are set noticeably parallel to the front. The back remains straight at the trot.
Paws and pads:

The paws are closed and massive, without claws, set straight with the middle of the body. The fingers are arched, longer middle fingers are not a mistake. Claws are light to dark gray. Paw pads equally well shaped.

Addendum to the revised standard:
In addition to generally common knowledge   appreciation of the exterior, for example, that a reliable assessment of a dog is only possible in movement, takes into account the fact that a well-built dog tries to make it easier in its stance, that it lies down or sits, or that its posture changes unfavorably in its stance . It is not the task of the exterior judge to "finally catch the dog at fault", as expressed by a well-known cynologist, recommending the following guidelines. With the exception of exclusion faults, other faults, according to the number of types and in conjunction with marking up to "insufficient", can modify the exterior evaluation by reducing .


EXCLUDING ERRORS

The following are considered to be in complete contradiction to the breed characteristics, or against the principles for maintaining the breed, and therefore with the award of the "inadequate" mark from the exterior:
- Color other than shades of gray
- Eye color other than amber
- Eye too slanted, entropion or ectropion
- A distinct stop
- Unusual head for a Weimaraner
- Arched back
- Insufficient coat, especially on the abdominal area (with the exception of bitches before the litter or just after it)
- Dogs in which both testicles are not visible
- Dogs with a weak appearance, especially shy and fearful
- Overgrown or undergrown dogs
- Dogs weak, with rickets
- Dogs with severe dental defects, especially overbites and underbites
- Pink colored nose
- Dogs that are not in exhibition condition


GROSS ERRORS

Grading including "sufficient" to "inadequate" showing:
- Missing more than two premolars
- Bad move, also wrong advance
- Unclosed paws
- Pads of the paws unevenly seated
- Incorrect angulation of the limbs at the back and front
- Defective heel bones
- Claws (wolf claws)
- Strongly arched or hunched back
- Heavily rebuilt (appreciation only with the grade "inadequate"
- Too short or insufficient muzzle (always according to size)
- Errors of nature - reduce to the grade of "inadequate"
- Too thick lips
- Too short ear
- Non-corresponding individuals to sex type
- Indistinct occipital hump
- Loose skin-lobe
- Insufficient depth and length of the chest
- Crooked tail (if not an acquired defect, otherwise "deficient")
- Tail set too high
- Red-brown burning
- Hair sticking out and undercoat missing in the stockhaar variant except for the "pen" and "pants"


MISTAKES

Awards ranging from "good" to "poor":
- Insufficient muscle mass
- Bad teeth
- Too loose skin on the neck
- Barrel legs and cow stance (depending on the size of the defect up to a gross defect)
- A stance that is too wide or narrow (the latter, i.e., a narrow stance, but not caused by a narrow chest) and the same error reaching "gross errors"
- More or less arched or carp back, less built
- Elbows other than directly pointing back
- Steep or loose shoulders (shoulders)
- Insufficient faucet
- Paws turned in or out (French stance)
- Too long torso
- Tail not raised in action
- Waves in long-haired Weimaraners
- Flag too small for long-haired breeders


SHORTCOMINGS

- Tail shortened too short or long
 

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