Small Munsterlander Club of North America, Inc.

Tips on Buying a Small Munsterlander

What questions should I ask myself and my entire family before buying a Small Munsterlander?

• Dogs of any breed deserve a permanent, stimulating, clean, loving home. Purchasing a puppy on impulse, without proper planning and consideration can cause much heartbreak and pain for you, your family, and your new puppy.

• Unfortunately some puppies are acquired for the wrong reasons. The following are reasons not to purchase a dog:

Is a Small Munsterlander the dog for me?

A Small Munsterlander puppy is much the same as buying a puppy of any breed. Before you purchase a puppy, make sure you seriously think of the commitment you will be making. Most Small Munsterlander’s live to 12-14 years of age. Will you be willing to provide the time, the attention, the consistent training, the patience, and the permanent loving home for the lifetime of your Small Munsterlander?

See a Small Munsterlander in person to decide if it is the type of dog that you are interested in. Ways to see a Small Munsterlander are:

Where will my Small Munsterlander live?

Small Munsterlander’s do not make good full-time kennel dogs. They are very social, active, intelligent, tenacious and loving companions. They require considerable mental and physical stimulation on a daily basis. Like most other hunting dogs, they can become bored, unhappy, and destructive if their basic needs are not met. However, a Small Munsterlander whose physical, mental, emotional needs are met on a daily basis can be your pleasant house companion, faithful hunting partner, and best friend.

Will I have any life changes that can impact on owning a hunting dog?

With such a mobile society, many people are experiencing lifestyle changes. Consider the impact of new babies, young children, new jobs, divorces and moves into apartments or other rental housing where your Small Munsterlander may not be acceptable. If potential owners think and plan ahead before buying a Small Munsterlander, they can provide a loving permanent home for the life of their hunting companion.

Buying a Small Munsterlander puppy is much the same as buying a puppy of any breed. The selection of your breeder is as important as the selection of the breed.

Make a list of the qualities that you are looking for in your Small Munsterlander, and include the activities that you plan to participate in with your dog. Once you have decided that a Small Munsterlander is the breed for you, contact several breeders with puppies or breeders planning to have a litter. Do not buy a Small Munsterlander puppy from a pet store or a dog broker, these puppies may be the products of a puppy mill or an unscrupulous breeder who cannot sell their puppies with the normal person to person methods. Many times, the socialization of pet store puppies is seriously lacking and can affect the dog for its lifetime.

Take your time. Do not be in a hurry to buy your puppy. You will have your Small Munsterlander for 12-14 years. Plan on interviewing many breeders and seeing as many Small Munsterlanders as you can. Do not make your choice until you have interviewed a number of breeders. After you have researched a number of breeders and learned about their breeding philosophies and breeding programs, choose your breeder and get onto their waiting list.

Breeders expect to be interviewed. Below are some question suggestions, write down some questions of your own and start doing your interviews before you ask to visit Small Munsterlanders.

Small Munsterlander breeders who are in good standing of the SMCNA abide by the Code of Ethics and Bylaws of the Club. Their breeding program follows the rules and guidelines of the SMCNA as set forth by the Breed Council and Registry Manual.

2. Are the Sire and Dam both approved for breeding in the SMCNA?

To be approved for breeding in the SMCNA the dog must meet the qualifications for breeding, which means the sire or dam have passed an educated and fair evaluation by the SMCNA Breed Council. Areas where the dogs have been evaluated are temperament, conformation, NA hunt test score, and genetic health.

3.Can you send me information on the Dam and Sire?

Most breeders have an information package to mail to prospective buyers which includes pictures of both dogs, a copy of each dogs three generation pedigree, copy of both dogs NAVHDA test scores, and a copy of the dog's OFA or Penn hip report.

4. Do you supply registration papers?

If the breeder is a member of the SMCNA, the puppies of their Small Munsterlander litter will be registered in SMCNA. Many breeders will register the puppies of their Small Munsterlander litter with both the SMCNA and NAVHDA. If you plan on testing in NAVHDA, you will need to have a dog that is registered with these clubs.

5. What is the focus of your breeding program?

Find out what the interests and intent of the breeder are. Seek a breeder who is doing the kinds of things that you want to do. Not only will they best be able to evaluate the litter and send you the most suitable puppy, but also they will be an invaluable source of support and advice for preparing your pup for hunting. The breeder should select for the "total dog" with consideration paid to genetics, temperament, structure, type and natural abilities.

6. How old are the sire and dam?

Experienced and responsible breeders do not breed dogs younger than two years of age. There simply is not enough known about a young dog to merit using it in a breeding program. In the first place, the dog is not mature, either physically or mentally. He cannot be accurately evaluated in the field, hips cannot be certified with OFA until two or older, although the PennHIP test can be used at one year or less. Bitches are usually not bred after nine years of age, and studs can be used as long as their sperm is of good quality.

7. What are the pros and cons of this breed?

A knowledgeable breeder will be able to offer detailed information on problems in the breed, as well as the breed's good points.

8. What are the strengths and weaknesses of your Small Munsterlanders?

There are no perfect dogs, every bloodline has it's own strengths and weaknesses. What one breeder may consider strength, another breeder may consider a weakness. This is why it is so important to interview more than just a few breeders are. You can find out how these traits will affect you.

9. Inquire whether the breeding is an outcross breeding, a line breeding or an inbreeding.

The breeder should know the pedigrees, and be familiar with details of the parents, grand parents and great grand parents. In particular you should ask for details on the traits of the Sire (Father) and the Dam (Mother) of the expected litter, As well, inquire about any dog that appears more than once in the 3 generation pedigree for the litter. Your discussion should include the following qualities:

1. temperament (how are they in the house, field and with strangers)

2. conformation (structure will affect soundness in the field)

3. hunting ability (natural pointing, tracking and retrieving and game drive )

4. genetic strength and vigor (a dog with genetic a disease should never be bred)

5. cooperativeness and bidability

10. What genetic problems are in the breed and in your bloodline?

A breeder who has only bred one or two litters may not be fully aware of the genetics strengths and pitfalls of their bloodlines. You should expect that a breeder who has bred a number of litters over a number of years will be familiar with any of the genetic problems present in their bloodline. Expect the breeder to be open and honest about genetics and have an OFA hip certification number or PennHIP evaluation. The breeder should be willing to provide you with copies of the certification.

11. Would a puppy from your bloodlines suit my needs?

A knowledgeable and ethical breeder will advise you as to whether a Small Munsterlander from their bloodlines and breeding program will or will not suit your needs and your lifestyle. Why did you choose to breed this particular female with this particular male? The breeder may give you information on the qualities that they hope to bring forward in this litter.

12. How many years have you owned a Small Munsterlander?

Basically, you want to establish the experience and knowledge of the breeder, If the breeder has owned Small Munsterlanders for years and bred a number of litters, chances are that they will have a better understanding of the breed and better ability to evaluate Small Munsterlanders and puppies. If you are dealing with a breeder who has less experience, it is all the more important to research the breed and breed problems, as a new breeder may not know how to address all of your questions and concerns.

13. How many Small Munsterlanders have you owned over these years?

It is an advantage for a breeder to have owned/trained more than a few members of the breed as they will have had more experience with a variety of Small Munsterlanders, probably of different bloodlines.

14. How many Small Munsterlanders do you currently own?

Find out about the kind of dog that the breeder keeps. What qualities do they look for with each of these dogs? Does this correspond with the kind of Small Munsterlanders that you are looking for? How does the breeder care for their dogs? Are they housedogs, do they live in a crate while the owner is at work, or are they out in a kennel. Whether the breeder has two or twenty Small Munsterlanders, does the breeder spend appropriate time with each dog and keep them in a healthy and stimulating environment?

15. Has the sire or dam been breed before?

Is this a first time breeding for either the sire or dam and have this sire and dam been bred together before? If the sire and dam have been bred before (either together or to another sire), ask how the puppies from prior litters turned out. What were their NAVHDA natural ability scores and did any puppies from the prior litters have any health problems?

16. Ask to see their dogs.

If you are close enough to visit the kennel, look for Small Munsterlanders that are the picture of health; clear eyes, wet noses, good coats, happy and well cared for. Look for dogs that are active and energetic. Be sure that the Small Munsterlanders have good, friendly temperaments and respond joyfully to visitors. If you are looking for a dog for a specific purpose, (i.e. upland or waterfowl hunting), ask to see the dogs work in a bird field or pond.

17. How do you raise and socialize your litters?

This question will speak to the experience of the breeder in raising and properly socializing your puppy. Ask for details about the methods that will be used to raise your puppy. Find out where the puppies are raised. Learn how much time is spent with the puppies, and if they are socialized individually on a daily basis. If the breeder has not raised a litter before, ask from whom they are learning how to properly raise and socialize puppies. Ask what the breeder does with puppies that he cannot sell when they are young.

18. Do you breed other breeds, or have you bred other breeds in the past?

Some experienced and successful breeders enjoy keeping and breeding more than one breed. However, be wary of someone who is actively breeding a number of different breeds.

19. Do you give vaccinations to your puppies or does a Veterinarian give them?

Puppies should go to their new homes with up to date deworming, shots and a veterinarian's health examination. Some breeders will vaccinate puppies themselves. Even if the breeder gives vaccinations, you should ask that a Certified Veterinarian do a complete health examination before your receive your puppy and that the Veterinarian supply an International Health certificate.

20. Do you stand behind your Small Munsterlander and for how long?

Find out if there is a guarantee for replacement or refund (entire amount or 1/2) and whether you have to return your dog in order to enact the guarantee. Get the guarantee in writing, and make sure it is signed and treated as a legal document with witnesses and dates. If you are dealing with an established breeder who will be involved in the breed for a long time into the future, you can probably be more confident that there will be some resolution should your guarantee need to be enacted. If you are you dealing with someone who only plans to breed one or two litters, make certain to find out what happens to your guarantee if the breeder ceases to breed.

21. What kind of service will I receive after the sale?

Ask the hard questions. Ask about support and advice, does the breeder have the experience in your area of interest to help you to condition and train. If this is your first Small Munsterlander, you may want a breeder who is willing to offer advice and help on a frequent basis.

22. Ask about the kind of support supplied with your puppy.

Some breeders will supply the following:

• a bag of the food that the puppy has been eating and feeding instructions for the puppy,

• NAVHDA or other training books,

• a book of information on raising your puppy to it's best advantage.

23. What happens if l have to give up my Small Munsterlander?

Many breeders will have a clause written into their sale contract that states that they will have right of first refusal if you are to sell the dog. Or if there is a problem with your Small Munsterlander, will the breeder take it back?

24. Is there anything that you need to know about me?

Select a breeder who asks many questions about you, your family, and your schedule, why you want a Small Munsterlander and the type of puppy personality you feel would be most suited to your home and hunting needs.
 

How Do I Select My Breeder?

By now you have interviewed a number of breeders, and from each one you have learned more about the Small Munsterlander, about the different bloodlines, and breeding philosophies. Select a breeder that is breeding the kind of Small Munsterlander that you want to own. One who actively participates in your area of interest and will best be able to evaluate the specific traits in the litter and select the best puppy for you. In addition, they will be best able to help you to develop your puppy for your chosen area(s) of interest. You will both be well ahead. Finally, use your instincts. If you do not feel comfortable dealing with a certain breeder, follow your intuition. The relationship is going to be a long one, lasting the life of your Small Munsterlander, and perhaps beyond.