The Munsterlander's nature, ability and enthusiasm makes them a good dog to try various activities with. Despite their sometimes stubborn streak, Large Munsterlanders are dogs which need to use their brain and be kept active.

This page gives you an idea of some of the activities Munsters are currently involved in. If you intend to try these, please be aware that Munsters do not fully mature until they are at least 18 months old, and should not take part in jumping or over exercise too early.

Agility

Agility is the negotiation of a course of obstacles in as fast a time as possible, without being eliminated or picking up faults. Courses consist of jumps, long jumps, tyres and tunnels and weave poles if it is a jumping course, or if an agility course it will also include some contact equipment (the A frame, Seesaw and Dogwalk). 

It is a hugely popular sport and although dominated by Collies, there are also ABC (anything but a Collie) classes to give other breeds a sporting chance! Dogs must be 18 months to compete and serious training shouldn’t start until the dog is at least 12 months so as not to damage growing joints. 

Working tests

The various elements in a working test are designed to test the ability of the dog in all areas of gundog work, relevant to the HPR in a non-shooting situation. 

The LMC holds one working test a year, in July, at Beaconsfield, but there are many other tests held by other HPR clubs over the summer months.

As well as its working test, the Club holds an annual Natural Aptitude Test. The NAT is a perfect starting point for any owner wishing to learn more about the natural inbuilt capability of their Munsterlander.

There are also experienced owners on hand, to offer advice.

Showing

​Large Munsterlanders have classes in championship shows and open shows up and down the country. The Club itself hosts two open events - one in February and one in October - as well as a championship show in June.

When showing we are asking the judge to measure our dog against the Kennel Club standard for the breed.  

​The competition in the ring is only part of  the reason why so many people enjoy dog shows.  It is a good day out for you and your dog, plus you will meet many friendly and like-minded people.
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Flyball

Flyball is an incredible sport that is exciting for both you and your Munsterlander.  It is essentially a relay race where your dog negotiates four hurdles, triggers a box to release a tennis ball, which the dog must catch and return to the handler.  

​The next dog then takes its turn. The sport is very fast, very noisy, which will suit most Munsterlanders down to the ground!  Any breed of dog can compete in flyball, big or small, as the height for each jump is determined by the smallest dog in the team.  

Mantrailing

 Large Munsterlanders have been turning their paw to scentwork more and more over recent months, with some group lessons for Munsterlanders only being scheduled. Their natural ability makes them a great dog to try scentwork and mantrailing with.

Mantrailing is when a dog uses his nose to find a person, because they are missing or maybe just for fun. It's a low impact sport, which means there is less pressure and stress on your dogs joints. As well as providing physical exercise, Mantrailing also engages your dog's incredible olfactory senses, giving them an intense mental workout. 

Obedience

Competitive obedience requires a great deal of concentration from both dog and handler to achieve a high level of precision. The challenge in competition is to achieve a high degree of precision but maintain style, drive and motivation. 

Competitive obedience uses the basic dog training requirements of walking to heel, coming when called and fetching articles and develops them into tests of precision and accuracy in how those exercises are performed

Many Large Munsterlanders have competed at the highest level of obedience. Their in-built drive and enthusiasm and desire to learn makes them a good partner.

Working trials

Working trials are the civilian equivalent of police work, however for the competitor it is purely for competition. All breeds can take part and several Large Munsterlanders have done the breed proud in recent years.  

It is a fairly complex sport and can be physically demanding so both dog and owner must both be physically fit.  There are five stakes in Working Trials: Companion Dog, Utility Dog, Working Dog, Tracking Dog and Patrol Dog.

The elements involved are Control (including heelwork, sendaway and re-direct, dumbbell retrieve, stays and steadiness to gunshot. In the higher stakes sendaway and redirects are introduced, while speak on command replaces the dumbbell retrieve), Agility (including a 9ft long jump, 3ft high jump and a 6ft scale), and Nose Work (tracking a human scent and searching out articles in a marked out square).

Heelwork to music

Heelwork to Music is the dog working on the left and right side of the handler as well as other close positions.  The dog can move in any direction i.e. forwards, backwards and sideways.  

​Additional movements should be linked via heelwork.  It is more restrictive than canine freestyle which requires no heelwork and allows the dog and handler to be more creative.  The dog can be at any distance from the handler for all or part of the routine and can perform any number of moves.  

Large Munsterlanders just love to keep their brain occupied and heelwork to music is a good, full of fun sport. 

Canicross/Bikejor

Running with the help of your dog pulling you, dog in special harness. Great fitness is achieved – and needed.
 
Bikejor
Cycling with the help of your dog pulling you, with dog in special harness. High speeds are achieved, and dog becomes very fit. It is a very hot activity for dogs, and short-coated breeds are probably better suited to this activity than munsterlanders.

CONTACT THE CLUB

If you are looking to contact the club please see the Contacts page