Hi

So I'm still picking my own next dog and on my list at the moment is still the rough collie but I also have the silken windhounds on the list but have since met another breed I have fallen for the Large munsterlander.

I wanted to ask if anyone knows anything about them? The owner I met said they are from Germany , they are related to German pointers and that they need around 2hrs of exercise a day plus lots of mental stimulation and that energy level wise they have the energy levels of labs and that there not a hyper breed once they have there exercise?

Any of this true and anything anyone can add?

I'm not sure what basis you are 'falling' for breeds on, but the three breeds you have mentioned are incredibly different, from different categories/groups, have different functions and are very different dogs.  You also make no mention of what the purpose of the dog will be, for you.

I wouldn't really seek further information online but instead you need to go and meet the dogs.  I wouldn't contemplate a large munsterlander in a pet home.  I would only get one if you wanted to work the dog and intended to compete in field events. 

People are perfectly entitled to get Porsches when they live somewhere with 30mph speed limits, because cars don't suffer from not being able to do what they were designed to do.  Dogs do suffer.

A friend of mine has had large munsterlanders for years. Hers have been a bit iffy with other dogs and have needed more then exercise to occupy their brains. She takes them to scent classes, gun dog training and tracking classes as well as dog training when they were younger, certainly very active working dogs I would say. Need someone prepared to put the effort in

I know there different , they each have different reasons why I fell for them. But I'm not sure what really is right for me anymore and I prefer dogs who are reserved with strangers so I don't think the Large munsterlander is for me.

I would do a new thread asking for help but I don't want to waste anyone's time as im not sure if there is a breed for me.

My long-time neighbour had 2 LMs and they were very different.   The one was calm and pleasant to live with, without any hunting urges whatsoever.   The other, younger one came from a different kennel and bloodline and the moment we hit the outskirts of our small hamlet (when we were sitting/exercising them) he switched off from us completely and was primed and ready to run.    Which he did one lunchtime on a hot day (she would insist in walking them at 1 pm regardless of the weather).   He took off on her and was only found later, lying in the full sun in a ditch by a passing rider.   She got him home and I helped her try to cool him down but he started fitting which, after going with her to her vet, was unable to be stopped.   She lost him and he was only 3 going on 4.

Not being hyper if fully exercised would be accurate, for this breed.

Her first, older one, suffered with luxating patellas which were operated on, but again, the silly woman got him back on full exercise too soon so the surgery wasn't successful and he was always lame behind.

Lovely looking dogs, but just not for me.

Munsterlanders are members of the HPR continental breed group i.e. Hunt, point & retrieve dogs. Most are quite high work drive, but also quick to learn.

Some lines have epilepsy issues-for which there is currently no health test for. As a breed most breeders do health test for HD, ED, clinical eye tests & DNA testing for Hyperuricosuria(crystals in urine that usually end up in the bladder)

I don't think any breed requires 2 hours solid excercise everyday, but they do need mental stimulation. You cannot compare them to Labrador Retrievers as they have been developed to have different working traits, Labradors were developed to simply to retrieve game & Munsterlanders to seek game, indicate it & then retrieve it.

So I'm still picking my own next dog and on my list at the moment is still the rough collie

Zara, what breeds have you had before?
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The only dog iv ever had was a golden retriever , I loved her so much but the only thing I was not struck on was just how friendly she was she wanted to say hello to every stranger and it got annoying as I'm not as social but sometimes people would shout at me to get my dog away from them ( she was on lead she sniffing as I went past but yet I still had people having ago at me) so I know in my next dog I want one who won't want to say hello to every stranger.

She had 2hrs of exercise a day everyday and would like another dog who will be happy with this. After her walks she would just chill on the sofa with me , so again I would like a dog who can relax after walks and are laid back.

The Bernese does sound amazing for me but I don't think I could cope with the short lifespan like my sister is happy to.

So I'm not sure if there is a breed who will suit. My requirements, as to sum it up I'm looking for a dog who is reserved with strangers, happy to chill and relax after walks and is happy with at least 2hrs of exercise a day?

I think you need to go to Discover Dogs and meet the dogs and talk to more owners. I know people who do obedience and rally with Munsterlanders and they are stunningly beautiful dogs, I wouldn't mind one myself but I wouldn't want something that HAD to work, and they're a bit too big for the house for me (or for my husband!) lol

A rough collie would be ideal for you, provided you can cope with lots of grooming. Maybe a smooth collie if not.

Discover dogs has been suggested by other people on different threads by same postee

Um... I think the solution is to  get another golden retriever but this time train the dog to recall away from people reliably.  Rather than trying to get a dog which is less interested in people(!!).  Be careful what you wish for - many breeds which are naturally wary of people are also predisposed to guard or be reactive if they don't have optimal socialisation.

I would say the same.
My golden is a very friendly dog, but doesn't approach strangers. Out on a walk she will trot straight past ignoring anyone trying to stroke her. She loves the people who are our friends who she welcomes more then she does us when we come in. Workmen are equally well accepted and become temporary best friends. But a stranger in the street she's not at all bothered with.
I didn't encourage her to go up to people when she was younger. If I saw people coming towards us I would put her on the lead and I think this taught her not to go up to random strangers.

I do think it's a pity to write off the breed due to your experience of your previous dogs. All my Goldens have been different, but none of them have approached strangers once they were mature and I assume it is is due to the way I have trained them

Thank you, I did not know you could train a golden to not go up to everyone, I loved my last golden she was the light of my life , it was just she was a very friendly dog she just loved to say hello to everyone even on lead and since I'm not a sociable person myself it just worried me as I can get very anxious if a stranger talks to me.

Maybe I can reconsider the golden if they can be trained to not go up to everyone.

Training classes will be needed for any puppy. Good ones teach you to have control so that the dog is focused on you and you only so other people and dogs arent better and more fun than you.

A Barbet could be suitable for you, but any dog can, and should be trained not to approach people without permission

A Bouvier see Flandres is reserved with strangers, yet has a good temperament and is quiet. Coat care can be a dedication though.

A Golden Retriever with  better training. I grew up with GS - wonderful dogs. Yes they're friendly, but in a nice way (and I say this through gritted teeth as it was a GS puppy that came to say an enthusiastic hello to my dog last week, ignored his GO AWAY signals leading to escalation and thus setting us back in our anti-reactiveness training) ...

A good old fashioned terrier might suit you as well? V active and once adult can easily do 2 hours a day. Not so friendly for better or for worse but super friendly and often cuddly at home.