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Miniature Pinscher
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The Miniature Pinscher (Zwergpinscher, Min Pin) is a small breed
of dog of the Pinscher type, developed in Germany. Miniature
Pinschers were first bred to hunt vermin, especially rats. Pinscher,
like terrier refers to the behavioral traits of the breed and Zwerg
means Dwarf. The Miniature Pinscher is also known as the "King
of the Toy Dogs". The international kennel club, the Fédération
Cynologique Internationale, lists the Miniature Pinscher in Group
2, Section 1.1 Pinscher, along with the Dobermann, the German
Pinscher, the Austrian Pinscher, and the other toy pinscher, the
Affenpinscher. Other kennel clubs list the Miniature Pinscher in the
Toy Group or Companion Group.
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Description
Appearance
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. The miniature Pinscher also
tends to have very long legs, and a small body, which can
sometimes make it look quite comical. As a result of the flexible,
agile body of a miniature Pinscher, they are able to curl up in
almost any position and almost always be comfortable.
Coat and Color
The coat is short and smooth, with colors, according to most breed
standards, of red, stag-red, and black or chocolate with tan or rust
markings, in addition to the blue and fawn. Blue coats, while
admitted into the UK Kennel Club, can be registered in the
American Kennel Club but cannot compete in show. They still
benefit from 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 standard in Europe does not require the
high stepping gait as the original Miniature Pinscher
(zwergpinscher) did not walk in such a fashion. In Europe and
Germany this high stepping gait is considered a fault.
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.
Size
Typically, the Miniature Pinscher stands 10 inches to 12.5 inches,
with desired height 11 inches to 11.5 inches measured at highest
point of the shoulder blades. A height of under 10 inches or above
12.5 inches is a disqualification.
Temperament
The Miniature Pinscher is an energetic dog that thrives on owner
interaction. They are very loyal dogs and are typically categorized
as "one, or two person dogs", but with socialization, they can be
integrated into families, and get along moderately with other dogs,
pets, and children. Children, especially younger ones, must be
encouraged to act gently to avoid being bit as these dogs are
known to snap without any provocation. Socialization as puppies
will help ensure they can co-exist and interact with other dogs as
adults. Min Pins are known for biting people when being simply
introduced as a stranger and are extremely protective of their
owners. This protective instinct will manifest as nonstop barking
and challenging postures. Although originally bred for ratting, they
are also excellent watch dogs, barking at all things they deem a
threat.
These little dogs will need lots of exercise per day. A backyard
would be preferable so they can have an outdoor area to run
around in, but it will need to be securely fenced in as this breed is
the Houdini of the dog world when it comes to escaping. The breed
is a toy breed (AKC), these dogs' energy level exceeds the
traditional concept or idea of the standard toy breed. Daily walks
are not sufficient for this breed to wear off their excess energy.
Though dog parks can be a solution, the true Miniature Pinscher,
being a terrier, can go on the hunt at any moment, so an off-lead
dog is a serious challenge with this breed. This dog truly does not
see itself as small and therefore will challenge anything, including
larger breeds. The breed is rated the 3rd worst breed for
apartments due to overall lack of exercise as well as natural
guarding instincts which lends the dog to barking and leads to
many noise complaints. In addition, the dog can be quite
destructive to homes if the dog is not allowed ample time to expel
its natural energy that gets pent up when no secure yard is
available. These dogs are only suitable for apartments if they have
regular exercise. A daily 45 minute+ exercise regimen is a must in
order to have this dog in an apartment.
History
Although the two breeds are similar in appearance, the Miniature
Pinscher is not a "Miniature Doberman"; it predates the latter
(although both are likely descended from the German Pinscher,
but the relationship ends there). Although the Miniature Pinscher
appeared in paintings and sculptures several centuries ago, the
factual documentation on this breed goes back to 1836 with the
writings of Dr. Reichenbach. The Doberman Pinscher was bred by
Karl Frederich Louis Dobermann in 1880, and Dobermann had
noted that he was looking to create a dog resembling the Miniature
"Zwergpinscher" Pinscher but 15 times larger.
In 1895, the Pinscher Schnauzer Klub officially recognized
Dobermann's Pinscher. The misconception in the U.S. that the
Miniature Pinscher is a "miniature doberman" occurred because
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 year of the breed's official
introduction into the AKC), not noting it was a true Terrier breed, it
was decided to officially place it in the Toy breed classification.
Unfortunately the AKC's description, that the dog "must appear as
a Doberman in miniature", led to the misconception common today
that this breed is a "Miniature Doberman Pinscher". The original
name for this breed in the US was "Pinscher" until 1972 when the
name was officially changed to Miniature Pinscher.
Historical artifacts and paintings indicate that the Min Pin is a very
old breed, but factual documentation begins less than 200 years
ago, which leaves the breed's actual origins open to debate. In
1836 (the oldest documented mention of the Miniature Pinscher)
after years of study of the breed Dr. Reichenbach 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. This is the only
documented fact about the Min Pin's origin; however, many
historians and those who have researched the background of the
breed agree that the ancestry of the Miniature Pinscher most likely
includes smaller German smooth-haired Pinschers, the Italian
Greyhound and the Smooth Haired Dachshund. Including the
Italian Greyhound made a swifter ratter as this breed was primarily
used on farms where open fields required 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 that is still found today.
It must also be noted that the word "pinscher" in German does not
mean "terrier". The word "terrier", like "setter", pertains to the way
the breed works. The German word "pinscher" translates to "biter"
or the way it bites when attacking its prey.
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Miniature Pinscher
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Country of origin
Germany
Weight
8-10 lb
Height
10-13 in
Coat
Short and smooth
Color
red, stag-red and black or chocolate
and tan
Life span
13-15 years
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Chocolate Min Pin and a Red Min Pin
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Dog DNA Test samples analyzed in about two weeks
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