AKC Dog Breeds: Miniature Pinscher

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Toy Group
Height:10-13 inches  Weight: 8-10 pounds  Color: Solid Red, Stag Red, Black, Chocolate, Blue

The Miniature Pinscher is structurally a well balanced, sturdy, compact, short-coupled, smooth-coated dog. He naturally is well groomed, proud, vigorous and alert. 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.

General Appearance
The Miniature Pinscher is a small, compact, muscular, sleek dog with square proportions and well-chiseled lines. The topline is either level or sloping slightly towards the rear. The front legs are straight and the dewclaws removed. The feet are small and catlike. The muzzle is strong and in good proportion to the rest of the dog. The teeth should meet in a scissors bite. The dark bright eyes are oval. Cropping the ears is optional, but the tail is always docked. It appears naturally well-groomed and self-possessed. The Miniature Pinscher's short, easy-care coat usually comes in red, but may also be black & tan or chocolate. The dog has an unusual high stepping gait.

Temperament
The Miniature Pinscher is an alert and fun loving dog, with courage, spirit, and enthusiasm for everything he does. These vibrant and lively dogs can be difficult to control and train, and are best suited to those with experience in dog ownership and training. The Miniature Pinscher will bark to raise an alarm and this makes him an effective watchdog. They are intelligent and quick to learn, but need an owner that is assertive and confident, with a positive training manner. Considering his small size, the Miniature Pinscher is very bold, and is also observant and inquisitive. They can be territorial and dominant, and many also tend to bark a lot. Housebreaking may prove very difficult with some Miniature Pinschers. The Miniature Pinscher does love to play and exercise, and has very high energy levels, so he is not suited to families that are not very active. He can be quite clingy, and thrives on affection and attention, so he also needs a family with plenty of time to dedicate to a pet. These dogs do not like to be handled roughly, and therefore is best suited to families with gentle children. They are usually wary around strangers, and can be dominant with other pets or even chase smaller ones. You should ensure that the Miniature Pinscher has a safe and secured area to play and exercise in, as these dogs can easily escape and are very good at climbing. Early socialization is important to ensure a stable personality.

Grooming
Miniature Pinscher are 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.

Health Problems and Life Expectancy
The life expectancy of the  Miniature Pinscher is around 13-15 years. This is a relatively healthy and robust breed, but there are some health problems to look out for, including: luxating patella, Legg Perthes, skin problems, cataracts, and PRA. 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.

Activity Level

Miniature Pinscher's are an energetic dog that requires exercise. Good for apartment life, but a regular romp and play would quickly satisfy the curiosity of a Miniature Pinscher. A few short walks per day should also be sufficient. This eager little breed is sure to keep your on your toes.







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