Miniature Pinscher

Size: Small
Other Names: Min Pin, Zwergpinscher, King of the Toys
Country of Origin: Germany
Accreditation:
American Kennel Club (AKC): Toy
Canadian Kennel Club (CKC): Toys
United Kennel Club (UKC): Companion Dog
Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC): Toys
The Kennel Club (KC): Toy
Kennel Union of Southern Africa (KUSA): Toy
National Kennel Club (NKC): Recognized
New Zealand Kennel Club (NZKC): Toy

Height:

10-12½ inches

Weight:

8-12 pounds

Color(s):

Solid and clear red; stag red (intermingling of black hairs); black, brown, or blue, with rust-red markings on designated part of his body

Coat:

Close, short, smooth, hard, straight, lustrous

Description:

Although the two breeds are similar in appearance, the Miniature Pinscher is not a "Miniature Doberman Pinscher"; the two share no common ancestry.  The Miniature Pinscher was first bred to hunt vermin, especially rats, and was derived from crossing a smooth-coated Dachshund with an Italian Greyhound..  The original Miniature Pinscher was not a true house pet, but a working breed left to the barn with minimal human contact, much like feral cats on farms today.  This created a unique independent trait in the breed that is still found today.  The original true Miniature Pinscher was more stout in appearance than today's refined dog.  Its coat was more coarse, and the dog in general was less refined.

Temperament:

The Miniature Pinscher is energetic, playful, outgoing, responsive, clever, and friendly, and thrives on owner interaction.  He has been categorized as a "one-person" or "two-person" dog, but with socialization, they can be integrated into families, and get along with other children, and other dogs and pets.  Children, especially younger ones, must be encouraged to act gently and responsibly around this small dog to avoid injury for both parties.  The Miniature Pinscher is aloof around people to which he has not been introduced.  The Min Pin are very protective of their owners, and this protective instinct will manifest as barking and challenging postures, making them excellent watch dogs.  The Miniature Pinscher is not suited for apartments, as their high energy level can result in considerable damage to floors, walls, and furniture, and their natural guarding instinct may result in considerable barking.  He does best when he has an outdoor area in which he can run around.  This outdoor area needs to be securely fenced, as he is adept at escaping.  Min Pins like toys that move or make an interesting noise, and may spend much time in moving their collection of toys from one place to another.  Unless you are amenable to sharing your bed, keep your bedroom door closed at night, as the Miniature Pinscher will jump onto the bed and crawl under the covers.

Training:

Socialization as a puppy will help ensure the Min Pin can co-exist and interact with other dogs as adults.  Although the Miniature Pinscher is not necessarily bad with children, children must be educated about proper handling and play.  The dog is relatively sturdy for his size, but can be easily injured by rough play with a child.  Additionally, his high-strung temperament leaves little patience for such rough play, and the child may be injured.

Care & Grooming:

The Miniature Pinscher needs a lot of exercise each day.  Daily walks are not sufficient to expend his excess energy.  While walking, or at a dog part, he needs to be kept on-leash.  Being a terrier, he can go on the hunt at any moment.  And, because he does not see himself as small, he will challenge anything, including larger dogs, which can get him into trouble.  Grooming is easy, as his smooth, short-haired coat requires little attention.  Care must be taken in colder weather, as the coat provides virtually no insulation from the cold.  Due to their instinct to hunt vermin, special care must be taken in preventing a Miniature Pinscher from "attacking" small objects, such as a bottle cap, as it could pose a choking hazard.  Miniature Pinschers are also prone to overeating, and need their diets monitored to prevent obesity.  Min Pins will chew and inevitably try to eat their toys, so avoid toys made of rubber or plastic.  Since Miniature Pinschers are territorial, they should be provided with their own place to rest and sleep, and a soft blanket for them to crawl under.  Care should be taken to not accidentally injure a Miniature Pincher while they are sleeping under blankets and other soft objects.

Shedding:

Low; the short coat needs only occasional brushing.

Health:

Miniature Pinschers may develop patellar luxation, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, and progressive retinal atrophy.  Protect this small, active dog from jumps off high furniture.

Lifespan:

12–16 years

Litter Size:

2–4 puppies