Our LM story

In January 2001, a year after the passing of our 14-year old Golden Retriever, our kids began whining about getting another dog.  Zack was gun shy so hunting with him was never an issue.  Our son was then 12 years old, had completed his hunter safety course and was starting to make noise about small game and bird hunting with his dad.  Knowing Dick the way I do, I began scheming.  Maybe I could get him to go along with the idea if I suggested a hunting dog!

Dick is a lifelong hunter and has raised and trained setters, retrievers and pointers over the course of 30 years.  His last bird dog was a German Shorthaired Pointer named Ty.  Losing Ty to cancer in the early 80s, coupled with the decreasing wild pheasant population here in Michigan, Dick began focusing his enthusiasm for hunting on more plentiful game such as deer and wild turkey.  Over the years I’d heard many a story about Ty.  In Dick’s eyes, the sun rose and set on that dog.  I was hesitant about looking for another GSP because how could any dog live up to Ty’s legacy? 

So I began my Internet search for a young hunting dog.  One of my searches led me to a breed called a Large Munsterlander.  I’d never heard of this type of dog.  Upon reading that these dogs were natural born pointers and retrievers and excellent family companions I was intrigued.  Further investigation led me to the Large Munsterlander Club of North America^® website where, as luck would have it, a 20-month old neutered male was listed as available.

When Dick called home during a snowmobile trip, it was time for me to come clean with what I was up to.  I stated my case and told him about the dog.  When I told him it was a Large Munsterlander, his response (which we hear often) was, “A What?”  Upon his return home we sent an email to Gus’s breeder, Dave Peterson of Red-tail Ridge Kennel, and followed up with a phone call. 

Dave explained LMCNA’s breeding requirements and we were impressed. He also indicated that he had run Gus in his NAVHDA natural ability test where he scored a 99 Prize II.  Gus had been hunted his first fall and showed the signs of becoming a great hunting companion. 

Needless to say, we were thrilled when Dave felt we were a good fit for Gus.  We made arrangements to make the trip from Charlotte, Michigan to Wisconsin and brought Gus home on March 7.

It took no time at all for Gus to adopt us and settle right in.  He was friendly, well mannered and extremely cooperative.   After a few weeks he was consistently coming when called and we took him out in our 5-acre field to see how he’d run.  Dick was pleased with his search pattern and how easy he was to keep within gun range. Dick did a lot of preserve hunting with Gus their first season together to get him into as many birds as possible. 

Gus's hunting desire and ability and his easy going temperament have made us big fans of Large Munsterlanders, so much so that Snowy Oaks Alli joined our family in May 2003. 

We are so committed to this breed that we decided to breed Alli to help expand the gene pool here in North America.  Alli whelped her first "A" litter on March 8, 2006.  Thunder Ridge's Altessa "Tess" stayed here so now there are three LMs living with us.  We have enjoyed raising Alli and Tess from pups and watching their puppy antics (well, most of them).   It's been a rewarding journey as they mature into versatile hunting and family companions.

As Dick has said many times over, "I only wish I'd known about this breed 30 years ago!"

Yes, these really are hunting dogs.  Gus (bottom), Alli (left) and Tess (right) enjoying a relaxing afternoon on the couch.  Yep...they are spoiled!