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The Large Munsterlander Association of Canada (LMAC)

LMAC commits to maintaining the Large Munsterlander (LM) as a dog for hunters, their families and ethical hunting. The Large Munsterlander is a long-haired versatile hunting dog, developed in Germany, which has been bred to performance standards in North America for over 40 years.

LMCNA (Large Munsterlander Club of North America) which was founded in Alberta in 1977. It was incorporated under the Animal Pedigree Act of Canada in 1999, and its name changed to LMAC in 2014.

Table of Contents



This web page was first mounted in October 2011 and last updated on March 7, 2024 by Sheila Schmutz.

Newsletter The Fall 2023 newsletter was emailed on September 25, 2023. Please submit articles, photos, etc. for the Summer Newsletter to John Staley (jsmunster@gmail.com) by December 10.

2024 Calendar The call for photos for the 2024 calendar appeared in the Fall Newsletter. Submission Deadline is Oct 31 to Patricia Oderkirk. Purchase deadline is November 15.


2023 Zoom Discussions/Presentations

Members, please reply to the email sent by Sheila Schmutz, Secretary that you'd like an invitation and a few days before, the invitation link will be sent.

2022 Zoom Discussions/Presentations

2021 Zoom Discussions/Presentations


Feature Story

Retrieving Commitment (Bringtreue)

While I was busy filling the bird feeder, Sunnynook's Gannet had found this White-tailed Deer antler in the woods around the house and proudly delivered it. In the versatile hunting dog tradition, there has been a long-standing test, called "Bringtreue" in Germany and Austria, translating to committed or faithful retrieving. The key is that a dog finds game, and of its own volition, out of sight and without being commanded to do so, picks it up and brings it to the owner.

In tests of this retrieving commitment, a rabbit or duck is laid out 200 yds from the handler in the woods. The dog shows its strongest commitment when a fox is used. Unlike bird game or rabbits, most dogs dislike foxes. A dog that can be encouraged to deliver a fox from out of sight of the handler and without prior commands, has shown ultimate commitment.

Truly committed and reliable retrieving can be encouraged by training but it has to come "from the heart". It comes from generations of performance testing when retrieving in various forms is expected (scroll down to see a former Feature Story "The Independent Search Is a Versatile Dog's Secret Weapon" ). It can also be encouraged with strategic exposure and ample praise from puppyhood on. In the end, a dog knows very well that the owner will never know it if it finds a dead game animal in the field that others have missed. Bringtreue is like moral behaviour, something one does even when no one is looking.

Joe Schmutz, 26 Feb 2023


Profile of a Large Munsterlander

Eagle Rock's Alpine pointing a Blue Grouse

The Large Munsterlander is one of several continental breeds of versatile hunting dogs. It gained breed recognition in the Münsterland of northwestern Germany in 1919. Although this makes the LM the last of the German breeds to gain official representation by a separate breed club, the LM was recognized as a black color variant of the brown German Longhaired Pointer going back to its breed club formation in 1878. Even before that time, the forerunner of the modern LM can be recognized in artists' representations of hunting scenes as far back as the Middle Ages.

The LM is a black and white dog with hair of medium length. They weigh 50-75 lbs with males about 60-67 cm and females 58-63 cm at the shoulder. In its German homeland and some other countries, this dog has been bred for over a century for hunting and not show. Hence coat color is highly variable, ranging from predominantly white to predominantly black. Markings occur as solid white patches, or ticked or roan regions.

This field dog characteristically is calm, gentle and intelligent, and therefore also valued as a family dog. The versatile and cooperative characteristics of the LM provide for a reliable companion for all facets of hunting. It is well suited for a variety of game, including the tracking of big game as practiced by some owners. On average, LMs search well outside of gun range in open country but are still responsive and not independent. LMs excel as bird finders before and after the shot due to excellent noses and a purposeful searching style with good coverage, rather than speed. Many LMs point with intensity from puppyhood on, and many honor naturally. Given their passion for retrieving, steadiness needs to be encouraged through training, especially in the exuberant youngster. LMs tend to be strong in the water. The LM's long and thick coat protects them against cold and allows them to search dense cover thoroughly. Even so, their coat is a compromise well suited for temperate climates. Short-haired breeds may be better suited for upland hunting in the hot South, while the oily and dense coat of retrieving specialists makes them better suited for prolonged water work in the late-season North.

The Large Munsterlander was introduced to North America by Kurt von Kleist of Pennsylvania in 1966. By May, 2007, at least 78 dogs had been imported to North America from Europe. The first LMs were brought to Canada in 1973. There have been 368 pups born in Canada, from 55 litters.

Available Pups

The best method of obtaining a pup of your choice is by reserving from a breeder who plans a litter. Most pups are born in spring or early summer. Occasionally pups are available immediately.

LM breeders, see below, will place pups only in hunting homes for several reasons. Breeders rely on progeny performance data when planning future breeding - a dog that is not hunted/tested is in that sense lost. Although LMs make good companions, their insatiable hunting instinct can lead to frustration for non-hunters when their dog insists on chasing nearly everything - even the squirrels during a picnic in the park.

We encourage potential owners to do their homework, including meeting an LM owner and dog where possible. Even "retired" breeders may be willing to show their dogs and answer questions about the breed. Most breeders encourage continued contact with puppy buyers/owners.

All sires and dams have earned at least a Prize III in the NAVHDA Natural Ability test or a Fair in the VHDF HAE test or a Pass in the VJP test. Their total test scores and accompanying ratings are shown below. Most dogs have also run in intermediate level hunt tests, such as NAVHDA UPT or VHDF AHAE, or JGHV HZP. Some have also run in the highest level tests, such NAVHDA UT or the VHDF PE test or the JGHV VGP test. All dogs were judged to be of normal temperament in their test. They have all been certified HD free and are free of elbow dysplasia. Some dogs have received Progeny Performance Awards when at least four of their pups from a single litter have passed first level tests.


The early litters born in North America were registered with the Verband Grosse Munsterlander in Germany. From 1983 to 2011, all LMs born in North American were registered by the Large Munsterlander Club of North America (LMCNA®), and since that time all litters born in Canada were registered by LMAC. Such registration implies that both parents have met breeding eligibility criteria, which include passing a test of hunting performance and certification free of hip dysplasia. ALL litters listed below are bred under the guidance of the Animal Pedigree Act of Canada.

The Large Munsterlander Association of Canada has been formed to foster the continued breeding of LMs in Canada and by like-minded U.S. breeders. LMAC registered dogs will have a "C" at the beginning of their individual tattoo in their ear.

Litters Whelped in 2024

Litters Expected in 2024

Litters Planned for 2024


LMAC Breeders

Some of these kennels have not breed a litter recently, or have retired from breeding, but are shown here so that owners of pups in the past have their current contact information.

  • Bear Hills Kennel (2008-2015)
    • Byron and Kaley Pugh, British Columbia as of summer 2018
  • Cariboo Kennel (2006-2013)
    • Gerhard Loeffeler, Canim Lake, British Columbia, Canada 250-397-2826 e-mail gerhard@loeffeler.org
  • Dogwood Hill Kennel (1982-1989)
    • The late Helmut and Rita Merkel of Vancouver Island, BC
  • Eagle Rock Kennel (2016-
    • John & Janice Staley, 338 Green River Circle, Evanston, Wyoming 82930 801-725-3689 e-mail jsmunster@gmail.com
    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jsmunste
  • Jägermatt Kennel (1987-1991)
    • Ilse and Mike Vallee of Quebec
  • Manapi Kennel (2009-2010)
    • Clint & Colleen, RR3, Prince Albert, SK 306-764-1892 e-mail c-r@sasktel.net
  • Muddy Waters Kennel (2002-
    • Rick & Sheri Hallwyler, 12401 S Casto Rd, Oregon City, Oregon 97045 503-651-1884 e-mail hooch@teleport.com
  • Northwind Kennel (1998-2002)
    • Francois Messier of Saskatoon, SK
  • Prairie Fire Kennel (2018-
    • Tracy Fisher and Rick Espie, Regina, SK 306-530-7797 e-mail sturm1@sasktel.net
  • Prairie Sky Kennel (2003-
    • Lynn Oliphant & Rhonda Shewfelt, Box 80 Site 60 RR6, Saskatoon, SK S7K 3J9 306-374-1068 e-mail rhonda.shewfelt@usask.ca or lynn.oliphant@usask.ca
  • SaskElkana Kennel (2004-2007)
    • Vance Lester and Sue Echlin, Box 32, Perdue, Sask. S0K 3C0 306-290-1693 cell e-mail vlester2@yahoo.com
  • Sunnynook Kennel (1977-
      • Josef & Sheila Schmutz, R. R. 2 Site 202 Box 123, Saskatoon, Sask. S7K 3J5 306-382-8964 e-mail joe.schmutz@usask.ca or sheila.schmutz@usask.ca


Registration Criteria

Performance Requirements for Breeding LMs

All LMs in North America that were eligible for breeding in LMCNA® as of Dec. 31, 2011 will continue to be eligible to breed until they are 10 years of age (see list of eligible sires) in LMAC. From January 1, 2012 to June 30, 2020 LMs registered by LMAC could be registered in the standard fashion or in the Original Stream.

Based on the LMAC Bylaws of July 1, 2020, to be eligible to breed a dam or sire:


Breeders who plan to have a litter or have pups to be registered by LMAC should contact the LMAC Registrar, Derek Oderkirk.


Please direct general questions about the content of this page to: e-mail