I need the all-knowing OB's opinion. I've been looking for a good bird dog for a while and was about set on either a GSP or GWP. Went hunting with a buddy in Minnesota this past week and his friend brought along his 2 Small Munsterlanders. They were great and I loved their size (40-60 lbs).

My question: does anyone have experience with these pups they can share? Temperament as pups? Good family dog too?

Everything I've read online seems really positive.

Oh, and Rule 1...

http://m.imgur.com/NKtjM5D?r

my gsp is almost 4 months old and he is absolutely hilarious. hes great around ALL people and ALL dogs. he's probably smarter than me too. He's learning commands quickly and is for the most part very obedient. I dont have experience with mustlanders but based on their coats they may be more suited for cold water duck hunting. BUT, I've seen a few on this board with GSPs and they do fine when retrieving ducks.

my buddy has a large Munsterlander he got from a breeder in Minnesota. it's a pretty good dog.

I had a Small Munsterlander for 13 years, just had to put him down a little over a year ago. Incredibly smart, docile, gentle with kids. Great size for an indoor dog. They have finer hair than a lab, and don't shed as much. They also don't get the "wet dog" smell. In the field, they'll go all day long. Love water as much as any water dog, strong retrievers. Very strong pointing instinct, and very strong drive to hunt. Still, they will curl up and sleep when you bring them inside. Before you get your pup, read everything you can about training a "versatile hunting dog." He will start learning the day you get him, so be ready. They do require plenty of daily exercise, so be ready for that too. As long as they get some activity, they are great indoors. I had mine doing blind retrieves on multiple birds, and he was great with voice commands, whistles, and hand signals. The SM is a one-man dog. He will get attached to you right away, and will never doubt whose dog he is. There are a couple of organizations that govern the breeding of munsterlanders (NAVHDA and SMCNA). These groups keep bloodline records, and will certify the hips and eyes of the dam and sire before they are bred. The Small Munsterlander is an incredible hunting dog and family dog. Very popular in Europe. I'm one of those people that can't even think about getting another dog for a long time after losing the one I had for 13 years. But if/when I do, it will be another Small Munsterlander.

Thanks aad03. Very helpful info. I had never heard of them until this past week and they quickly caught my interest. Sound like awesome dogs.

Can't comment but you should also look at wirehaired pointing griffons as an alternative to GSP/GWPs, great with kids, less energy, awesome drive/nose

Always lots of love on the OB for versatile breeds.

I never seen one point like a pointer and I certainly have never seen one hit the water like a retriever.

These dogs may be adequate at both pointing and retrieving but they are certainly not the same thing as the real thing.

I have a 6 month old GSP and he's fantastic. Very easy to train, knows who his master is. Only complaint is he loves to play and can get restless at night if I don't run him. But 10/10 recommend