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Breed Characteristics
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Miniature Pinscher
| Other Names | Zwergpinscher |
| Nicknames | Min Pin, King of the Toys |
| Country of Origin | Germany |
| Weight | Males: 8 - 10 lbs. (4 - 5 kg) Females: 8 - 9 lbs. (about 4 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | Males: 10 - 12 in. (25 - 30 cm) Females: 10 - 11 in. (25 - 28 cm) |
| Coat | The Min Pin's coat is smooth, hard and short. They are silky and lustrous looking. Hair is the same length all over the body. |
| Colour | Solid Red - Coat should be a rich, dark red. Stag Red - Red with black hairs intermingling throughout the coat. Black - with rust red markings on the cheeks, lower jaw, lips, throat, above eyes and chest, lower half of forelegs, inside of hind legs and vent region and black stripes on the toes. Chocolate - with same red markings as blacks, except for the stripes on the toes. Blue coats are allowed in the UK but not in the US. White markings are a fault in the show ring. |
| Litter Size | 1 - 3 puppies |
| Life Span | 15 or more years. |
| Origin & History | The Miniature Pinscher is a German Breed, unrelated to the Doberman Pinscher, though they look nearly identical in features. The breed was developed from terrier breeds, including the German Pinscher and Italian Greyhound for the purpose of hunting rats in stables. The Dachshund was also used to help breed in the small size. (Pinscher means terrier in German.) In fact, the Doberman Pinscher was bred by Louis Doberman in 1890, and was designed to look like the Miniature Pinscher. For this reason, we know that the two breeds do share common ancestors, including the German Pinscher. These dogs have been pictured in paintings for centuries, but actual documentation on the breed is only about 200 years old. Development of the breed outside of Germany began in 1895, when the German Pinscher Klub was formed and created the first breed standard. The Miniature Pinscher first came to the US in 1919, and was first registered with the AKC in 1929. |
| Personality | The Miniature Pinscher is a hardy little fellow who is proud and courageous. He is loyal to his master, spirited and alert with high energy. Intelligent, lively and brave. Generally good with other pets and children so long as the humans provide proper leadership toward the dog. Its behavior depends entirely upon how you treat the dog. Do not let this sweet little dog fall into the Small Dog Syndrome, human induced behaviors where he believes he is pack leader to humans. That is when problems start to arise. The dog will become demanding, headstrong and will begin to bark more than you wish. If you allow this, the dog may become a tyrant. If you are not this dog’s pack leader, it will become protective and may become very aggressive with other dogs. It can also become rather suspicious towards strangers. The Miniature Pinscher can learn extremely well and wants very much to do so. It is certainly beneficial for its socialization to take the dog to puppy courses where it can meet other dogs and people. You will be amazed at how fast the Miniature Pinscher understands and obeys you. Pay particular attention when housebreaking this little Pinscher, since a little puddle from such a small dog can easily be overlooked; the dog may get the idea that you are happy to accept it fulfilling its natural needs indoors. Beware, this little dog will chew small objects and may choke on them. Do not overfeed this breed. A balanced Min Pin will not have the behavior problems listed above. If it truly has rules, boundaries, limitations, a true pack leader and a daily pack walk, it will be a wonderful family companion. |
Care Requirements
| Health | Overall, the Miniature Pinscher is a very healthy breed, with no specific Health issues common. However, they are not good at regulating their own food intake, so it's important that you not over feed them. They can become prone to obesity. Obesity in dogs creates some of the same problems as in humans. They can be more prone to Heart disease and joint problems and, overall, will have a shorter life expectancy. With breeds that are prone to obesity, such as the Min Pin, it may be wise not to feed treats. If the dog never grows accustomed to having a treat, he will be far less likely to beg you for them, and hence, will not be as likely to become overweight. Min Pins are very popular, and because of their size, there are many breeders. But this doesn't mean that every breeder is a good one. Reputable breeders will work hard to breed out deficiencies by not Breeding any dog that has shown signs of genetic or Health Problems. Breeders that are not reputable, however, will breed any dog, and are more likely to replicate genetic problems in their puppies. Before you purchase a puppy, ask questions about the lineage of the puppy. In addition, be certain that you purchase your puppy from a breeder that has socialized him, rather than keeping him a kennel all the time. Puppies that have not been socialized will be far more difficult to train, which is especially a concern in this already challenging breed. In addition, puppies that have lived only in a kennel or crate for the first 8 weeks of their lives are often very timid and skittish about even moving around your home. Look for a puppy that is playful and confident. If they appear overly fearful, they are not likely to be easy to work with once you get them home. |
| Grooming | The Miniature Pinscher's smooth, shorthaired, hard coat is easy to groom. Comb and brush with a firm bristle brush, and shampoo only when necessary. You can remove loose hair by wiping the coat with a warm, damp cloth. This breed is an average shedder. |
| Exercise | Min Pins need a daily walk. Play will take care of a lot of their exercise needs, however, as with all breeds, play will not fulfill their primal instinct to walk. Dogs that do not get to go on daily walks are more likely to display behavior problems. They will also enjoy a good romp in a safe, open area off lead, such as a large, fenced-in yard. Make sure any yard in which they can run loose has a fence high enough to prevent their determined efforts to escape and explore. |
| Other Considerations | The Miniature Pinscher is good for apartment life. It is very active indoors and will do okay without a yard. The Miniature Pinscher should be protected from the cold. |
