Large Munsterlander Association of Canada Conformation Evaluation and Coat Color Genetics

This web page was first mounted on December 18, 2011 and last updated on June 21, 2025 by Sheila Schmutz.

LMAC Conformation Evaulation Dates in 2025

Conformation Evaluation is a required aspect for a LM to be Eligible to Breed, as of the 2020 Bylaws. It was recommended since LMAC began.

Although conformation was assessed in various hunt tests for many LMs over the years, the first large Conformation Evaluation was held at the LMCNA® Reunion in Hutchinson, MN in 2007, with German judges. Another conformation evaluation was held in Pine City, MN at the LMCNA® Meeting in 2010. Two smaller conformation evaluations were held in Saskatoon with the late Sigurd Käser as Judge with Joe Schmutz. Others have been held with Rhonda Shewfelt, Sheri Hallwyler and Joe Schmutz judging.

A LMAC conformation evaluation was held on Saturday, July 7, 2012 in Delisle, Saskatchewan with Jan Buchanan, Kaley Pugh, and Joe Schmutz judging.

Although such large evluation events have not been held again,the fall VHDF tests in Saskatchewan are heavily participated in by Large Munsterlanders and owners can request a conformation evaluation on the Friday before such tests. Alternative arrangements can also be made using LMAC conformation judges in other locations. Please email joe.schmutz@usask.ca to discuss this.

Conformation is evaluated based on the FCI Standard for the Large Munsterlander.

As of January 2012, LMAC Conformation Evaluation will be conducted with at least one certified judge and a minimum of one LMAC member who observes and signs as a witness and recording assistant.

LMAC Conformation Pass: Females must be 58–63 cm at the withers and males must be 60-65 cm at the withers. (2 cm additional is allowed by the VGM and therefore also LMAC) Both must be black-and-white, although the amount of each colour doesn’t matter. The ratings for body and coat must be “Good”.

LMs should be 18 months or older for conformation evaluation, intact and not pregnant or have recently whelped. Dogs 15-18 months of age may undergo "preliminary evaluation" as is the custom in the VGM. If they obtain a very good in body and a very good in coat, then this may count as equivalent to an adult evaluation.

~ LMAC Conformation Evaluation Form ~
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LMAC Conformation Judges, 2024

LMAC Conformation Apprentices, 2024

LMAC Conformation Judge Application Procedure

LMAC members (Regular or Associate) who are interested in becoming LMAC Conformation judges should:

To apply, please submit a letter to the Conformation Coordinator indicating your experience hunting upland birds and waterfowl, including with a dog or dogs. Explain how many LMs you've owned, over what period. Indicate any other related background you may have, such as judging show dogs, assessing conformation traits as a field test judge, anatomy courses about domestic animals, handling dogs in hunting tests, etc.

Rhonda Shewfelt, DVM, MSc, is giving a presentation about the dog skeleton and its impact on conformation at the LM group hunt held in Saskatoon in September 2009.

A Zoom presentation on the importance of conformation, as part of the LMAC series, was given by Joe Schmutz on Sunday, February 26, 2023.

LM Coat Color Descriptions, a downloadble pdf. This can be useful for breeders to report the color and markings of pups in litters. It can also be helpful for people writing Total Dog Profiles (TdP) of their dogs when applying for their eligibility to breed.

These topics are described and illustrated in various dog breeds on Genetics of Coat Color in Dogs.

Please direct general questions about the content of this page to: Sheila Schmutz

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Large Munsterlander Association of Canada