Small Munsterlander Temperament: Personality, Testing, and How We Select the Right Puppies

What is the temperament of a Small Munsterlander?

The Small Munsterlander is known for a balanced, cooperative, and emotionally stable temperament, making it one of the most versatile hunting companions.

A well-bred Small Munsterlander should be:

• confident but not aggressive

• highly trainable and cooperative

• socially stable with people and other dogs

• adaptable in both hunting and home environments

• resilient to stress and new situations

These traits are what allow the breed to succeed both in the field and in the home.

Why Temperament Is the Foundation of Our Breeding Program

At Cedars Point Kennel, temperament is not just one trait — it is the foundation of everything we do.

A dog cannot fully express its:

• hunting ability

• trainability

• versatility

without stable temperament.

Research shows that behavioral traits such as fearfulness, trainability, and sociability are moderately heritable, meaning breeders can influence them over generations (Serpell & Duffy, 2014).

Because of this, we treat temperament as a primary selection trait, not a secondary one.

The True Personality of a Small Munsterlander

The Small Munsterlander is a cooperative, thinking hunting dog.

Proper temperament includes:

• cooperation with handler

• environmental confidence

• emotional resilience

• social balance

These dogs should be:

👉 aware of their environment

👉 responsive to their handler

👉 stable under pressure

This balance is what defines a true versatile hunting dog.

A Critical Insight: The Boldest Puppy Is Not Always the Best

A common mistake in breeding is selecting the boldest puppy.

These puppies often:

• dominate littermates

• show early confidence

• stand out during testing

But over time, selecting only boldness can lead to:

• dominance issues

• reduced cooperation

• instability in social environments

Instead, the best breeding candidates are typically:

• confident but thoughtful

• curious without being reckless

• quick to recover from stress

Our Structured Approach to Temperament Evaluation

Unlike many breeders, we do not rely on intuition alone.

We use a structured evaluation system combining observation and standardized testing, including the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test.

This allows us to:

• objectively evaluate each puppy

• compare littermates fairly

• track temperament across generations

How We Use the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test

The Volhard test is conducted at approximately 7 weeks of age, when behavioral traits are emerging but not yet heavily influenced by training.

It evaluates traits such as:

• social attraction

• following behavior

• restraint response

• social dominance

• retrieving

• sound sensitivity

• stability

While no single test predicts adult temperament perfectly, research and experience show that structured behavioral testing combined with longitudinal observation provides the most reliable insight (Wilsson & Sundgren, 1997).

Beyond Volhard: Our PLDS Temperament Tracking System

Where our program differs is in how we use this data.

We incorporate Volhard results into our Puppy Litter Data Sheet (PLDS) system, where we track:

• temperament scores

• growth data

• developmental milestones

• long-term outcomes

This allows us to move beyond one-time evaluation and instead:

👉 track patterns across litters

👉 evaluate sire and dam influence

👉 improve selection decisions over time

Very few breeding programs maintain this level of structured temperament data.

The Five Core Traits We Prioritize

1. Recovery From Stress

The single most important trait.

We look for puppies that:

• notice stimuli

• recover quickly

• investigate calmly

2. Environmental Confidence

We evaluate curiosity and adaptability in new environments.

3. Human Engagement

We look for natural cooperation without excessive dependence.

4. Frustration Tolerance

We evaluate persistence vs emotional reactivity.

5. Nerve Stability

We observe response to sudden stimuli and recovery.

Why Recovery Speed Matters Most

Research in working dogs shows that recovery speed is one of the strongest predictors of adult temperament stability (Foyer et al., 2013).

Stable dogs:

• perceive their environment

• respond appropriately

• recover quickly

In simple terms:

👉 The best dogs are not those that never react

👉 They are the ones that recover immediately

How We Match Puppies to the Right Homes

We do not allow puppy selection based on preference alone.

Instead, we match puppies based on:

• temperament profile

• experience level of buyer

• intended use (hunting, family, both)

Examples:

• high drive, independent pups → experienced hunting homes

• balanced, cooperative pups → family hunting homes

This results in better long-term success for both dog and owner.

Temperament and Preservation Breeding

Preservation breeding requires protecting:

• health

• structure

• genetic diversity

• temperament

Without stable temperament, the breed cannot function as intended.

Our goal is to produce dogs that are:

• cooperative

• confident

• emotionally stable

• adaptable

Frequently Asked Questions About Small Munsterlander Temperament

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What is the temperament of a Small Munsterlander?

They are cooperative, intelligent, and emotionally stable dogs that thrive in both hunting and family environments.

How do breeders test puppy temperament?

Responsible breeders use structured observation and standardized tests such as the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test, combined with long-term observation.

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Is the Volhard test accurate?

The Volhard test is a useful tool, but it is most effective when combined with ongoing observation and data tracking rather than used alone.

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Are Small Munsterlanders aggressive?

No. Properly bred dogs should be socially stable and cooperative. Aggression is not typical of the breed.

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Can temperament be improved through breeding?

Yes. Behavioral traits are moderately heritable, allowing breeders to improve temperament through selection over generations.

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How do you decide which puppy to keep for breeding?

We use a combination of:

• temperament scoring

• Volhard test results

• longitudinal data from our PLDS system

This allows for more objective and consistent decisions.

References

• Serpell, J., & Duffy, D. (2014). Dog Breeds and Their Behavior. Cambridge University Press

• Wilsson, E., & Sundgren, P. (1997). Behavioral testing for breeding selection. Applied Animal Behaviour Science

• Foyer, P., Wilsson, E., & Jensen, P. (2013). Maternal care and offspring temperament. Scientific Reports

• Overall, K. (2013). Manual of Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Dogs and Cats

• Scott, J., & Fuller, J. (1965). Genetics and the Social Behavior of the Dog

• NAVHDA – Versatile hunting dog training standards

Breeder Bio

Jeffery Mizenko

Cedars Point Kennel

Jeffery Mizenko is a preservation breeder of Small Munsterlanders focused on producing dogs with stable temperament, strong cooperation, and versatile hunting ability.

His program integrates structured temperament testing, including the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test, with long-term data tracking through a proprietary breeding database system. This approach allows for objective decision-making and continuous improvement across generations.