Game Fair attendees learn how to properly care and train dogs

While researching for a type of hunting dog that would work for him, Brian Felsen of Minnetonka came across a breed that is rare in the U.S.: the Small Munsterlander.

According to the American Kennel Club, Small Munsterlanders are versatile hunting dogs with a solid pointing instinct, a knack for the water and friendly towards people. There are only 3,000 to 4,000 Small Munsterlanders in the United States. In Germany, where the breed originated, it’s known as a Kleiner Münsterländer.

Felsen said he made the right choice by adopting Birdy.

“She’s exceeded all of my expectations,” Felsen said. “She’s only been out in the fields finding birds. Her natural prowess, intelligence [and] her bloodline is shining through. She’s going to be mostly trained for [hunting] grouse. We’re going to be up in the Superior National Forest a lot.”

Felsen was one of thousands of attendees on Saturday, Aug. 17, at the 43rd annual Game Fair at Armstrong Ranch Kennels in Ramsey. It ran from Friday, Aug. 9-Sunday, Aug. 11 and again from Friday, Aug. 16-Saturday, Aug. 18. Vendors selling dog accessories, guns and duck calls lined the walkways of Armstrong Ranch Kennels. Game Fair is primarily known for dog shows and demonstrations, hunting demonstrations and its variety of vendors.

Felsen came to hear one of the dog seminar speakers, Mike Wieben, teach owners how to train their retrievers for upland and waterfowl hunting. Wieben was one of several speakers on Saturday that also featured Cartrell Cooper of Big D’s Dog Training, Josh and Whitney Miller, and Al Freiberg.

Felsen said the seminars were great and that he learned that dog training is a long process.

“We’re not necessarily doing something wrong or not being patient enough,” he said. “It’s part of the process of training your dog and getting them to understand the way you command them and what you’re expecting them to do. A little pointer can make a big difference when we’re trying to do it ourselves. Having those experts readily available to us to learn from and ask questions is valuable.”

Birdy is five months old and will begin hunting this fall. Felsen said he encourages anyone who is thinking about adopting a hunting dog to adopt a Small Munsterlander like Birdy.

“Without even a lot of training, we’re seeing her excel,” Felsen said. “It’s been fun to see her get some of that guidance.”

The 44th annual Game Fair will return next summer at Armstrong Ranch Kennels. It will be two weekends: Friday, Aug. 8-Sunday, Aug. 10, and Friday, Aug. 15-Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025.