Last updated 1 August 2026
A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance including the correct colour of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.
From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Breed Watch information related to this breed for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure. However, if a dog possesses a feature, characteristic or colour described as unacceptable, it must not be rewarded in the show ring.
Brief Historical Summary
The breed was first bred in the North German Munsterland, being documented since 1870 and involved the breeding of flushing and pointing dogs over hundreds of years. In 1921, Dr Friedrich Jungklaus created the first breed standard to promote the breed as an intelligent and affectionate medium-sized, versatile hunting dog, working in forest, field and water. Popular today with hunters, for its performance and versatility.
General appearance
A strong, medium-sized, pointing dog, upstanding in posture. Built on elegant, flowing lines. A keen, steady, persevering hunter, with good social skills; friendly towards people. Medium length, dense, slightly wavy coat. Feathering on ears, forelegs and breeching extending to the hocks. Heavily feathered tail, carried horizontally, with a distinctive long flag and white tip.
Important Proportions
Length of body from point of shoulder to point of buttock, slightly greater than height at withers, ideally in the ratio 11:10. Length of skull from occiput to stop, equal to length from stop to nose. Depth of body from withers to brisket equal to length of foreleg from elbow to ground.
Temperament
Intelligent, easily trainable. Alert and friendly towards people.
Head and Skull
Head balanced, lean and in proportion to body. Skull slightly rounded from ear to ear. Stop distinguishable, not pronounced. Cheeks well-muscled. Lips slightly rounded, tight fitting, with solid brown pigmentation. Nose solid brown.
Eyes
Medium size, dark brown, neither protruding nor deep-set. Eyelids close fitting, showing no haw.
Ears
Set on high, hanging close to head and tapering towards the tip. Not extending beyond corner of mouth. Hair on ears long.
Mouth
Powerful jaws, regular and complete scissor bite. i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaw. Large white teeth.
Neck
Moderate length, muscular, lightly arched, gradually widening towards the shoulder. Without throatiness.
Forequarters
Chest deep, rather than broad. Well up at withers. Shoulders moderately laid back. Elbows set well under the body, turning neither in nor out. Viewed from the front, forelegs straight and parallel. Pasterns strong and slightly sloping.
Body
Topline slightly sloping from withers to croup. Back short and firm. Ribbing deep. Costal arch carried well back. Loin short and muscular. Croup long, broad slightly sloping. Skin closely fitting.
Hindquarters
Hips broad and muscular. Upper and lower thigh of equal length. Well-turned stifle. Hocks well let down, straight and parallel when viewed from the rear.
Feet
Round, turning neither in nor out. Toes well-arched. Firm, well-developed pads. Feathering between toes not too profuse.
Tail
Medium length, thicker at base, tapering towards the tip. Set on fairly high, extending along line of the topline. Well-feathered, tapering to a flag. Held down at rest; in action, carried horizontally, or slightly above the level of back with a slight upward sweep.
Gait/Movement
Straight and true with good drive and reach. Pacing undesirable.
Coat
Medium length, dense, and water repellent; Slight wave acceptable. Never so long as to obscure outline of body. Long on ear, reaching to tip. Forelegs
3 feathered. Hindlegs with breeching to the hock. Long flag on tail with white tip. Profuse feathering on forechest undesirable.
Colour
Brown & white. Brown roan, which may have brown patches, brown mantle and/or brown ticking. Often with a white blaze. Tan coloured markings on the muzzle, the eyes, ears, tail, around the vent, and legs permissible
Size
Dogs: 52–56 cms (20½–22 ins) Bitches: 50–54 cms (19¾–21¼ ins)
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.
Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
*Note for prospective puppy buyers
Size – The Kennel Club breed standard is a guide and description of the ideal for the breed; the size as described does not imply that a dog will match the measurements given (height or weight). A dog might be larger or smaller than the size measurements stated in the breed standard.