Videos Miniature Pinscher Breed Information
Alternative names -
Zwergpinscher
Country of origin -
Germany
Common nicknames -
Min Pin
Classification and breed standards
FCI:|Group
2 Section 1 #185|Stds
AKC:|Toy|Stds
ANKC:|Group 1
(Toys)|Stds
CKC:|Group
5 - Toys|
KC
(UK):|Toy|Stds
NZKC:|Toy|Stds
UKC:|Companion
Breeds|Stds
The Miniature Pinscher, also known as the
Min Pin by fanciers, is a toy
breed of dog. Min Pins were first bred to
hunt vermin, especially rats. In its native Germany, the dog is
known as the Zwergpinscher. Pinscher, refers to a classification of
dogs bred as guardians or to hunt vermin.
Zwerg, in German, means Dwarf or Midget
and Pinscher, in German, means Terrier. The Mini
Pinscher is also known as the "King of the Toy Dogs".
Though the Miniature Pinscher is considered a toy breed due to
their small size, their temperament resembles the terrier more.
1. History
Although it has an appearance similar to the Doberman Pinscher, the Min Pin is not a
"Miniature Doberman". Rather, the breed is much older.
Although the miniature pinscher appeared in paintings and
sculptures several centuries ago, the factual documentation on this
breed goes back less than 200 years. The Doberman Pinscher which
was bred by Karl Frederich Louis Dobermann in 1880. The basis of
resemblance does not fall on the Miniature Pinscher but the
Deutscher Pinscher (German Pinscher). It is strongly believed that
this is the breed that Dobermann used in establishing his Doberman
Pinscher. In 1895 The Pinscher Schnauzer Klub officially recoginzed
Dobermann's Pinscher. The error occurred as the Doberman
Pinscher was introduced to the US before the Miniature Pinscher. In
1919 the Miniature Pinscher was introduced to the AKC show ring. At
that time not knowing that it was referred to officially in Germany
as the Zwergpinscher (dwarfpinscher) the AKC referred to the breed
as simply "Pinscher" and listed it in the miscellaneous
category. By 1929 (the breeds official introduction into the AKC)
not noting it was a true "Terrier" breed decided to
officially place it in the "Toy" breed classification.
Unfortunately for conformation purposes the description that the
AKC noted "must appear as a Doberman in miniature" led to
the misconception still noted today that this breed is a
"Miniature Doberman Pinscher" when in fact it is not
related. The Miniature Pinscher and Dobermann's Pinscher share
no common ancestry. In 1836 (the oldest documented writings of the
Miniature Pinscher) Dr. Reichenbach after years of study of the
breed determined that the Miniature Pinscher was derived from
crossing a smooth coated Dachshund (a favorite German breed of the
time with excellent ratting skills) with an Italian Greyhound. The
goal was to make for a more swift ratter as this breed was
primarily used on farms where open fields left for a faster dog to
chase down rats and mice. 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
the unique independent trait in the breed still found very often
today. It must also be noted that the word "pinscher" in
German does not stand for or mean, "terrier". The word
"terrier" like "setter" pertains to the way the
breed works. The word "pinscher" in German translates to
"biter" or the way it bites when attacking its prey. This
has been a long problem with the term "pinscher" where
the reference and translation is two fold but those referencing the
information regarding the word fail to note that actual
translation.
2. Appearance
Typically, the Min Pin stands between 25 and 30 cm (10 and 12.5 in) at the withers,
weighing between four and six kg (9-13
lbs). The coat is short and
smooth, with colors, according to most breed standards, of red,
stag-red, and black or chocolate with tan markings. Min Pins also
come in a blue and a fawn coat. Blue coats are allowed in the UK
but in the US can be registered but cannot compete in show but all
other aspects of the AKC. The miniature pinscher frequently has a
docked tail and cropped ears, though the AKC no longer requires ear cropping
for shows. The AKC standard
specifies a characteristic hackney-like action: "a
high-stepping, reaching, free and easy gait in which the front leg
moves straight forward and in front of the body and the foot bends
at the wrist. The dog drives smoothly and strongly from the rear.
The head and tail are carried high." The Miniature Pinscher
will on occasion carry a small white patch generally located on
neck or breast area. This links directly back to the original breed
coloring. The Miniature Pinscher did come in Merle coloring which
in the Dachshund is referred to as Dapple and in Harlequin like
that found in the Great Dane. The white gene is part of the makeup
of this breed; though breeders for years have fought to eliminate
this gene, it is accepted by AKC in conformation and show so long
as the area of white is limited to no more than 1/2 inch in
direction. 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. The refined look of
today's dog was a result primarily of many who neglected to
realize that the breed was a working breed and not a toy breed.
Much of the natural look went away with years of breeding for the
refined small dog now seen as today's Miniature Pinscher.
3. Temperament
The Miniature Pinscher is a lively very energetic breed that
requires a great deal of exercise. As a single coated breed they
are primarily an indoor breed. They do not do cold or wet weather
well. This breed lives in a state of 2 year old until well into
their senior years which can make for very entertaining as well as
some frustrating times. They can in most cases be difficult to
house train requiring much patience. Being an independent breed by
nature, they prefer to initiate contact and generally do not do
well being overly handled. This is where much of the misconception
of the breed being a biter comes from. Not always a best breed for
children due to this consideration also. They are quite fearless
and can be overprotective. This breed truly does not see itself as
a small breed. As such, it gets into trouble because a Min Pin will
attack a much larger dog if it perceives a threat, whereas smaller
dogs are treated as "objects of interest." Protective
attitude and guard instincts are very strong in this breed. They
can be one-owner dogs, or adapt greatly to families (without small
children). The breed is very loyal and will alert their owner to
any changes within the home environment. Miniature Pinschers are
not for everyone, as they are very curious, strong willed, and
frolicsome. Their owners must have a great sense of humor and a lot
of patience. Keeping in mind that this breed is in fact a working
breed, spoiling could result in the dog becoming somewhat of a
tyrant. This breed by nature can be stubborn so anything to induce
this generally will result in a more difficult dog to handle.
4. Care
* Although the breed is not necessarily bad with children, care
must be taken in educating youths about proper handling and play.
Although sturdy, they can be easily injured by rough play with a
child. In addition, their high-strung temperament leaves little
patience for such rough play.
* Grooming is easy, as the 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 Min Pin from
"attacking" small objects, such as bottle caps, as they
could pose a choking hazard.
* Min Pins are also prone to overeating and should have their
diets monitored to prevent obesity.
* This breed has an insatiable curiosity, so the best toys for
Min Pins are ones that stimulate their curiosity. This may include
toys that move or make an interesting noise. Cat toys (that do not
have catnip) are suitable as well. However, Min Pins will chew and
inevitably try to eat their toys, so avoid toys made of rubber or
plastic. Small stuffed animals and rope toys work well, as do
laser-pointers. Min Pins will ignore large toys.
* Min Pins are territorial, so they should be provided with their
own place to sleep/rest. They prefer to sleep on soft objects as
well as under soft objects, so a small blanket should be provided
to cover them. Care should be taken not to accidentally injure a
Min Pin while they are sleeping under blankets.
Copyright (c) 2008 Kitt Killion Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the license is included in the section entitled "GNU Free Documentation License".
Taken or modified, in whole or part, from Wikipedia.org
