Miniature Pinschers are small dogs, but they do need some space. Because they are quite energetic, they will need a place to run off their energy. They are great escape artists, so your yard must be very secure, or they will find a way out. They do not handle temperature extremes well, so while they need a place to run for exercise, they should be indoor dogs.
Miniature Pinschers love toys, so they will be quite happy indoors with some things to amuse them. However, they like to chew and they may be prone to chewing on things that are not supposed to be their toys.
Most experts on this breed recommend that they not be left alone at home unsupervised simply because they are so curious and apt to get into things. You'll need a room or dog kennel where the dog can stay when you're away from home.
Description
The Miniature Pinscher is a dog that looks like a smaller version of the Doberman Pinscher breed. However, the two breeds are unrelated, and, in fact, the Miniature Pinscher breed is older than the Doberman Pinscher. They are small muscular dogs with square proportions and docked tails. They have tapering narrow heads with a prominent foreface that balances with the skull. Their ears are set high on the head and stand erect; they are sometimes docked. Their eyes are oval and dark in color, with a clear and bright appearance. Their skulls are somewhat flat and taper into the strong looking muzzle. Their noses are always black, except in chocolates, which have self colored noses. Their teeth meet in a scissors bite.
The Miniature Pinscher's neck is well proportioned to the body, and slightly arched. Their backs slope slightly to the rear but are otherwise flat. Their tails are set high and held erect and are docked. Their legs are strong and muscular and they have small, catlike feet.
The Miniature Pinscher's gait is very high stepping. They run in a free and easy manner, with their forelegs and hind legs moving in parallel. They drive smoothly and strongly from the rear with their heads held high.
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.
The following colors are found in the Miniature Pinscher:
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.
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.
Temperament
The Min Pin is a sweet and gentle dog, but they are prone to be demanding. Be certain that you don't spoil your dog, or he may become very difficult to live with. They are also very stubborn, so early training is essential.
They are sturdy and proud and are quite courageous; often being described as a big dog in a little dog's body. They have a lot of energy and spirit, and are not couch potato dogs. They will do well with children, provided the children are well behaved and don't pester the dog. It's important that your children understand that this dog will need his space, and also to understand that, because of his size, he is somewhat easily injured. Min Pins don't act like toy dogs, so they often seem sturdier than they really are.
Min Pins can sometimes be aggressive with other dogs, so if you're planning to have other dogs in the home, be certain that they're introduced to the Min Pin at an early age. They are typically quite good with other types of pets in the home.
This is a moderately protective dog; they will certainly bark to alert you. They are fairly suspicious of strangers by nature, but with proper training at a young age, they will do quite well with visitors in your home once they known that you are comfortable with them. But, be careful of training this dog to bark as a method of alarm; they are prone to excessive barking.
This is a loyal and fun dog to have around. However, because they are very self-absorbed, willful and demanding by nature; early and consistent training is critical. However, they are also quite intelligent and eager to learn. Once your dominance is established, they will be eager to please you and quick to learn. Because they are small and easy to take care of, this is a perfect companion dog for a single person.
Min Pins are said to be puppies for life. They are extremely playful and fun, but they are also very curious and prone to get into things and use things for toys that were not meant to be toys, and that may even be hazardous. It's important that your house be "puppy proofed" for this dog, and they will chew on almost anything. They are also prone to climbing, especially when they are unsupervised. For this reason, you must take care with the things that you leave on your counter tops and tables, too.
Health Problems
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
This is a very easy breed to groom. They are average shedders, but their short hair is very easy to keep looking nice. Brush them with a firmly bristled brush a couple of times a week, and use a damp towel occasionally to wipe off excess hair.
Originally, Min Pins were required to have docked tails and ears in order to compete in the show ring. Today, however docked ears are not mandatory, though docked tails are still required.
Min Pins require just a small amount of food and should be fed high quality dry food for their optimum health. These dogs can become overweight, and dry dog food will help keep their weight under control. Dry food also helps prevent dental problems. This dog will likely do better with two small meals each day, rather than one large one.
Exercise
Miniature Pinschers need exercise. They will be happy with a small yard for running and playing or with a daily walk with their owners. Since this breed is prone to obesity, making sure that your dog gets regular exercise is even more important. However, it's also important to remember that they do not handle very hot or very cold temperatures very well, so outdoor exercise must be kept short in duration during extremes in weather.
Training
The Miniature Pinscher requires firm and consistent training, but once trained, they are a great companion dog. From an early age, they must understand that you are the "alpha dog", or they will be quite happy to run your household. Once they respect you as the alpha dog, they are very loyal and easy to please.
Miniature Pinschers like to amuse you. So, during the course of training, don't ever laugh when he misbehaves, or the behavior will be set for life. You must be firm and serious when correcting him to avoid sending mixed signals. And, while your corrections must be firm and consistent, they should not be overly harsh, or he'll become scared and skittish. Once your dog learns that training is no nonsense time, he'll likely enjoy it, since he will be eager to learn.
Miniature Pinschers require socialization at an early age, to prevent them from being wary of human strangers and to prevent them from being aggressive with other dogs. Puppy classes, where the puppies are introduced to each other and learn to share toys and water bowls would be perfect for this breed.
Crate training works well for housebreaking the Min Pin. Because this breed can be stubborn and dominant, and because their accidents are easy to miss due to their size, it's important to be very persistent in house breaking them. If they have an accident that goes unnoticed, they will believe that going to the bathroom in the house is acceptable, and the habit will be nearly impossible to break. Keeping your puppy in his crate unless you are actively interacting with him will help ensure that there are no accidents. Puppies should not be allowed to roam the house unsupervised until they are consistently house trained. It's wise to leave your Min Pin in his crate when you leave the house even after he's house trained, to prevent him from getting into something that could be dangerous for him.
Some owners of the Miniature Pinscher choose to paper train their dogs. Since they are not good in extreme temperatures, paper training prevents the dog from having to go outdoors when it is very cold or hot.
This breed likes to bark, so part of your early training should include teaching them when barking is appropriate and when it is not. They are also great escape artists, prone to digging under fences or jumping over them. Training in this area will be helpful, but your best bet is just to ensure that your fence is very secure and not to leave them outdoors unsupervised for long periods of time.
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Ratings and Attributes
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