THE MINIATURE PINSCHER - BREED INFORMATION

The Miniature Pinscher or "Min Pin" is often thought to be a downsized Doberman Pinscher, however predates that breed by at least 200 years! Although they share the same homeland of Germany, the relationship stops there!  

Development of the Miniature Pinscher began in 1895, originally paying for their keep as ratters in German barnyards, It’s thought they were created by crossing breeds including the Dachshund, the German Pinscher and the Italian Greyhound. The result was a spirited and fearless little dog!

First popular in Germany and Scandinavian countries, not surprisingly, their international star began to rise!

The Min Pin was first registered with the American Kennel Club in 1925 as a Terrier, due to their ratting expertise. Following shortly after, The Miniature Pinscher Club of America was formed in 1929 and the dogs were reclassified as a Toy breed in 1930. In America they went by the name Pinscher (Toy) until 1972, when they were renamed as the Miniature Pinscher. 

The Min Pin is an elegant looking dog, with an arched neck and muscular body, standing 10"-12.5" tall and weighing in at a dainty 8 to 10 pounds, this toy breed is a tough little dog with a lot of attitude!

Known for their high-stepping gait, in which the feet of the front legs are lifted up and out with a bend at the wrist. It’s an appropriate gait for them, given that they believe they are hot stuff! With their head held high and this unique gait, they exude "fearless animation, complete self possession, and spirited presence" as described in the breed standard... enhancing their "King Of The Toys" reputation!

Their coat should be smooth, hard and short, straight and lustrous, closely adhering to and uniformly covering the body. 

This sleek, easy care coat should be either red, stag red (red with intermingling of black hairs), black and rust/tan, or chocolate and rust/tan in colour. *Note - any other coat colour is not true to the breed standard.  

Min Pin ears are often cropped, but can be left natural. 

The tail is usually docked & dewclaws are removed. 

Life expectancy is approximately 12-15 yrs 

Min Pins are happy dogs, who like to play and will act the clown to get attention from you. *NOTE - they adore toys, toys and more toys! They are loving and affectionate to their family and love to snuggle up on the sofa and be close to you. They want to please you and see you happy, but don't always understand how to do it... or so they lead you to believe!

THE FLIP SIDE ....enough of the fluff!

The Miniature Pinscher is a perpetual motion machine, a spitfire among dogs. Cocky, brash, curious and impetuous, these dogs are their own three-ring circus. The person who shares his or her life with a Min Pin is never bored! 

Although the Miniature Pinscher is a rather delicate-looking toy breed, the Min Pin is truly a sturdy dog with a dynamite personality. If given the chance, this King of Toys will rule you and your household. If you're considering owning one, you must be willing and able to be a strong, yet kind pack leader. Training and socialization are essential. It's safe to say the Min Pin is his own dog, both in breeding and attitude.

The Min Pin is a bundle of energy, full of vigor, highly curious and tends to investigate — and possibly eat — everything! He must be watched closely so he doesn't get into something he shouldn't! 

Min Pins are skilled escape artists and should never be outside off leash — in fact, you'll have to make sure he doesn't dart out whenever you answer the front door!

For these reasons, the Min Pin is not the dog for everyone, especially first-time dog owners. His energy and intelligence can catch his owner off guard. Without proper training and supervision, he can quickly become a tyrant in the household.

Not surprisingly, the self-assured Min Pin is a great watchdog. He's suspicious of strangers and is typically fearless when faced with a threat... be it real or imagined!

As tough and active as a Min Pin is, he's not big or sturdy enough to withstand the accidental rough handling associated with very small children. He's an excellent pet for older children who know how to treat a small dog with respect and care.

The Min Pin's small size makes him a good pet for apartment dwellers. 

If socialized with other dogs from an early age, your Min Pin will get along well with other canines and pets in the household. *Note - the battle is still on at my house over who is in charge ...the Min Pins or the cat! However, you will see them pictured on our home page snoozing together! 

*VERY IMPORTANT! - Because of the Min Pin's high energy and tendency to escape, it's important that you enroll your Min Pin in training classes. Don't be surprised, however, if he becomes the class clown ...they love attention and may act up to elicit a response! Training should be persistent, positive, and gentle.

FEEDING - Recommended daily amount (adult): 3/4 to 1 cup of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.

Keep your Min Pin in good shape by measuring his food and feeding him twice per day, rather than leaving food out all the time.  

*Note: How much your adult Min Pin eats depends on his size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. Min Pins are individual, just like people, and they don't all need the same amount of food. It almost goes without saying that a highly active Min Pin will need more than a couch potato Pin! The quality of dog food you buy also makes a difference — the better the dog food, the further it will go toward nourishing your Min Pin and the less of it you'll need to shake into your Pin's bowl!

GROOMING -  doesn't get much easier than this! The Min Pin needs brushing every few days to keep his sleek coat shiny; a soft bristle brush or grooming mitt works well! *Frequent bathing is not recommended because it dries the skin, though it's okay to bath your Min Pin if he gets dirty.

*Instead of bathing, many owners simply wet a washcloth with warm water and wipe the Min Pin's coat. Begin with the face, paying particular attention to the area under the eyes, and work back toward the tail. If you do this every few days, your Min Pin will stay clean and healthy!

BRUSH YOUR MIN PINS TEETH - at least two or three times a week to remove tartar buildup and the bacteria that lurk inside it. Daily brushing is even better if you want to prevent gum disease and bad breath.

TRIM NAILS - once or twice a month (if your Min Pin does not wear them down naturally) to prevent painful tears and other problems. *If you can hear them clicking on the floor, they're too long! Dog toenails have blood vessels in them and if you cut too far, you can cause bleeding — and your Min Pin may not cooperate the next time he sees the nail clippers come out! So, if you're not experienced trimming dog nails, ask a vet or groomer for pointers.

Min Pins are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they're prone to certain health conditions. Here is a brief rundown on a few of the conditions you should know about.

As with most small dogs, Min Pins' knee caps (patellae) can be unstable and may pop out of position easily — the common condition known as luxating patellas. This is one of the reasons it’s essential to keep your Min Pin on the lean side.

The hip disease known as Legg-Calve-Perthes disease occurs in Min Pins. It causes a reduced blood supply to the head of the rear leg bone, which then begins to degrade. The first sign of Legg-Calve-Perthes is limping and usually appears when the puppy is 4 to 6 months old. In many cases, treatment requires surgery to remove the head of the leg bone.

Eye problems may include progressive retinal atrophy, glaucoma, and optic nerve hypoplasia. 

Mucopolysaccharidosis VI, or MPSVI, is a genetic defect in the way the body processes certain molecules. A buildup of dermatan sulfate (a complex molecule) can occur in specific areas of the body. Stunted growth, joint damage, clouding of the eyes (which can resemble cataracts) and heart valve damage are are few of the consequences of MPSVI. 

• Miniature Pinschers are hardy little dogs, but they can be easily injured by roughhousing. Because of this, they're better suited as family members in households with older children, who have learned how to care for a dog properly.
• The Min Pin is sensitive to cold. Be sure to put a sweater or coat on him when you take him outside in cold weather!
• Min Pins have a lot of energy — probably more than you have. They're also very curious. You must supervise your Min Pin constantly, and if you can't, put him in a crate!
• You must be willing to take the position of "alpha" in your household. If you don't, the Min Pin will gladly assume the role!
• To get a healthy dog, never buy a puppy from an irresponsible breeder, puppy mill, or pet store. Look for a reputable breeder who tests her breeding dogs to make sure they're free of genetic diseases, that they might pass onto the puppies and that they have sound temperaments.