The Small Munsterlander Club of North America (SMCNA), established in 1993, is the original Small Munsterlander Breed Club in North America. The original twenty three SMCNA charter members along with Paul Jensen, the first SMCNA Registrar, had the foresight to create a breed Club that was performance based and required prior approval for any dog to be used for breeding.
This ensured that both the dam and sire had demonstrated their hunting abilities through approved North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA) hunting tests, and they meet health, temperament, and conformation standard. The SMCNA is dedicated to preserving the versatility of our breed true to the F.C.I. Small Munsterlander Standard of the breed as set forth by the German Verband for Kleine Munsterlander and adopted by the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale). The SMCNA Club has over 450 members who are dedicated to the hunting abilities, health, welfare and promotion of our breed in the United States and Canada.
The SMCNA is governed by a Board of Directors which consists of an elected President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary and Registrar. The Breed Council manages the SMCNA's breeding program.
S.M.C.N.A. Mission
The Club's mission is to promote responsible ownership of the Small Münsterländer. To that end, the SMCA will encourage training, testing, and hunting. Additionally, the club recognizes the Small Munsterlander to be a versatile hunting dog, accepts the Standard of the breed as set forth by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as the only standard of conformation by which the Small Munsterlander shall be judged in America, and encourages testing, training and breeding that conforms to accepted standards. Any deviation from those standards, derived from differences in language, locality or test requirements, could be accepted if those deviations would not lead to any outward differences in appearance, temperament or character.
SMCNA Natural Ability and Utility Breeders Award Program
The following are the qualifications for the Small Munsterlander Club of America, Inc. Natural Ability and Utility breeders award program. Both the Bitch and the Stud dog qualify. 1. The breeder must be a member of SMCA in good standing to apply. If co-owned one of the owners must be a SMCA member in good standing. 2. The producing bitch and stud dog must meet the SMCA qualifications for breeding approval. 3. The litter registration must have occurred before the dogs are tested. 4. A Breeders Award and Stud dog’s Award can be awarded for each successful litter. Breeders are not limited to one award per calendar year. 5. If applying for a NA Breeder’s Award, four dogs from the same litter listed must qualify with a minimum point total of 360 points (90-point average per dog) in NAVHDA Natural Ability tests (not necessarily in the same calendar year). 6. If applying for a UT Breeder’s Award, three dogs from the same litter listed must qualify with a minimum point 180-point and a Prize II per dog in NAVHDA Utility tests (not necessarily in the same calendar year). 7. Dogs that are judged as gun-shy, temperament shy or noted as aggressive towards people are not eligible for a Breeder’s Award or Stud dog’s Award. 8. It is the responsibility of the breeder to notify the Registrar and provide copies of qualifying NAVHDA test reports when a litter becomes qualified.
The Hall of Fame of the SMCA
The Hall of Fame of the Small Munsterlander Club of North America honors Small Munsterlanders that have achieved extraordinary success in their chosen endeavors. Inherent in the requirements for admission to The Hall of Fame is the intention to foster the historical concept of the Small Munsterlander as a versatile hunting dog possessing strong scenting ability, even temperament, and good social behavior and to see these characteristics exhibited in each individual dog. The owner of the dog being submitted for entry to the Hall of Fame must be a member in good standing of the SMCA. The Hall of Fame award may be granted posthumously.