The Mini Pinscher

Dogs and Life

The Mini Pinscher

from Wikipedia ; www.dogbreed.info ; wikihow

For you dog lovers, here's a piece on the mini pinscher, perhaps the most playful and lovable pet dog( it's actually a guard dog !!!)

The Miniature Pinscher

Other names Zwergpinscher

Nicknames Min Pin, King of the Toys

Country of origin Germany

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.[1] Other kennel clubs list the Miniature Pinscher in the Toy Group or Companion Group.

1. 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.

1.1.1 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.

1.1.2 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.

1.2 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.[1] 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.

1.3 Care

• Although the breed is not necessarily bad with children, much care must be taken in educating youths about proper handling and play. The dogs are relatively sturdy for their size but 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 Miniature Pinscher from "attacking" small objects, such as bottle caps, as they could pose a choking hazard.

• Miniature Pinschers 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 Miniature Pinschers are ones that stimulate their curiosity. This may include toys that move or make an interesting noise. Miniature Pinschers enjoy having a collection of such toys, which they will hoard and spend much time in moving from one collecting place to another. However, Miniature Pinschers will chew and inevitably try to eat their toys, so avoid toys made of rubber or plastic. Small stuffed animals, rope toys, and interactive toys that pose a challenge work well. Cat toys (that do not have catnip) are also suitable.

• Miniature Pinschers are territorial, so they should be provided with their own place to rest and sleep, though they will commonly stake a claim to a particular piece of furniture or curtain under or behind which they will sleep when people are in the room. They prefer to sleep on soft objects as well as under soft objects, so a small blanket should be provided to cover them. Unless the owner is amenable to sharing his or her bed, bedroom doors must be kept closed at night as Miniature Pinschers will jump onto beds and crawl under the covers. Care should be taken not to accidentally injure a Miniature Pinscher while they are sleeping under blankets.

• It is essential due to the energy level of this breed that a secured fenced yard be provided. Miniature Pinschers need to exercise regularly. In addition, when in public this breed must be kept on harness and leash, as it is natural for this breed to give chase if something of interest catches its eye.

2. 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[2][3], 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,[4] 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[3] 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,[5] the Italian Greyhound and the Smooth Haired Dachshund.[4] 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.

See also

• Mr. Rap

• German Pinscher

• Affenpinscher

• Companion dog

• Companion Dog Group

• Toy Group

• Doxie-Pin

3. How to Care for a Miniature Pinscher

Here's how to care for a miniature pinscher, a unique and wonderful breed of dog.

3.1 Steps

1. Recognize that these dogs need toys. Make sure your dog has a another pet if it has no toys. Mini Pins love to chew, so give them something to chew on. Avoid rawhide though, it's hard for them to digest. Beef back rib bones are a good choice. They are decent nutrition and keep their teeth clean. They are very inquisitive dogs, and like interactive toys. They particularly like toys that squeak or talk.

2. Provide a a nice warm blanket for these dogs that get cold easily. You may also want to invest in some dog clothing- little sweaters and jackets help on cold days or walks outside.

3. Plan to be around. These dogs need companionship--they do not do well when left alone for long periods of time.

4. Make sure you respond to min-pins' vocalizations and efforts to engage you--they get bored easily and then get naughty. They love to walk and chase a toy. Many min pins love the squeak toys.Some times they jump on little children so be careful around young children.

3.2 Tips

Min Pins are sometimes known for not being the friendliest of dogs at all times- but this can be a behavior easily avoided if you make sure to spends lots of time socializing them with people and other dogs when they are puppies. Make sure they meet all types of people, children, old people, and people of all colors. Dogs are often afraid of what they don't understand, and that is when they lash out.

• Mini Pins have lots of energy and seem to tug at the leash when they walk. Its a good investment to get them a dog harness, or train them on a small choke chain* Mini Pins like to bark. If this behavior is unacceptable, you need to correct them early and often. They are extremely territorial.* Always reward your MinPin for good behavior. Start with treats, but work toward just giving praise. You need to keep an eye on their weight. They get fat very easily and that leads to several health problems.* Most clothing you buy for your mini pincher will be size Small, not XS, since they have such deep chests for their size.

• Training your Mini Pin is good for both you and the dog. These dogs have very strong pack associations and expect you to tell them what to do. They will often be aggressive around larger dogs, constantly testing boundaries. They tend to think that they are just as big, if not bigger, than the opposing They will find their way out of anything. Make sure that you have things to keep your min pin out of trouble. An electric fence is a simple inexpensive way to do this.

• Mini Pins are very wild and have a good personality. They always love to be the center of attention and to be petted very often. They have a bad habit of eating so you will only want to give them 1/2 cup of food for breakfast and dinner or they will get overweight easily. They bark at everything even if a stick broke at the middle of the night so from a young one there is some training. Their fur is very short and most do not shed badly, so you do not need to wash them often. Grooming or cloth washing is preferable to baths, which dry out the dogs skin. If your Min Pin sheds badly, consider his diet. Have your vet check for medical problems. If he gets a clean bill of health, consider adding some essential fatty acids (Linatone is a good source and is sold at most pet stores) to help with the problem.

• Minpins have a sense of ownership, and may hoard toys or chew treats. If you have more than one dog (any breed), you should gently work on this, as well as have plenty for everyone.

4. Warnings

• Mini Pinschers has a tendency towards mange -- or little spots bare of fur -- especially when they are puppies. This is caused by a type of parasite that all dogs naturally have, but can get out of control in some dogs for no apparent reason. Mange is not contagious. If left unattended, these spots will become bigger and bigger. The most common areas for this to happen are on the back hips or face. Take them to the vet. If caught immediately, a very inexpensive cream can clear this up within a week.

• Mini Pins also have a tendency toward luxating patella. This means their knee caps, not their hips, pop out of the sockets on their hind legs. Be very careful with your dog; don't force him or her to jump from high places. Let them decide what is too high or too far. You will know when this happens because they may seem to be running or playing and then will suddenly stop and start favoring the leg. The leg may pop back in on its own in a few seconds. You can also gently straighten the leg to pop the knee back into place.* Some mini pins get a mild form of asthma, where they will wheeze occasionally. There is not much you can do about this, and is fairly harmless.

• If your mini pin is not fixed, be sure that you watch them, especially when they are in heat. If they get pregnant by too large a dog they could easily die during the pregnancy or during birth.

• If you are planning on breeding your min pin(s) then be sure you are aware of the risks and the laws in your state surrounding this subject (as they do vary in different areas).

• Mini Pins are very active dogs -- half the time they are very active, and the other half the time they are sleeping. Make sure they have plenty to do, or they will get destructive and unhappy.

5. More On The Miniature Pinscher

King of Toys or court jester, this tiny might needs a firm hand and a sense of humor

• Introduction

• Physical appearance.

• Temperament

• Health and care

5.1 Introduction

Forget the image of toy dogs as fragile and in need of pampering when considering the Miniature Pinscher. This delicate-looking little dog has a constitution of steel and an impish character that can reduce the overbearing owner to tears of frustration, for he will rule the roost with a tiny iron paw if allowed to do so.

Unlike the Miniature Poodle, which is a scaled-down version of the Standard Poodle, the Min Pin is not a smaller version of anything, especially the much-larger Doberman Pinscher. Both may have descended from the German Pinscher, a medium-sized black and tan dog bred to control vermin in the barnyard, but there the relationship ends. The Doberman includes Rottweiler and perhaps the Black and Tan Terrier; the Min Pin reportedly came from crosses with breeds as diverse as the Dachshund1 and the Italian Greyhound.

Part of the confusion in origin comes from the word "pinscher," which is a descriptive term like "terrier" or "setter" that denotes the dog's method of working, not his heritage. In German, "pinscher" means "biter" and derives from the dog's habit of jumping on and fiercely biting its quarry. The German pinscher family includes the Affenpinscher, a toy breed with a wiry coat, and the schnauzers.1 The name may also be borrowed from the English "pincher," meaning "one who seizes or pinches."

The Min Pin is also not related to the Manchester Terrier in either the standard or toy sizes. The Manchester is an English breed; the Min Pin hails from Germany.

So what is the Min Pin? It is a diminutive dog with an elegant way of going, a spunky dog with a sense of humor, an energetic dog with a bouncy personality that brightens days and sometimes causes apoplexy in its owners. Bred to keep farm kitchens free of mice and rats, this little guy can be ferocious when necessary and scrappy on a whim.

In short, as breeders and owners say, the Min Pin is not for everyone.

The Miniature Pinscher ranked 23 in litters registered with the American Kennel Club with 7650 litters in 1993, up from 6889 litters the previous year. The breed also ranked 29 in individual registrations with 14,987 in 1993, up from 13,353 in 1992. The increase can be attributed to several factors, including the breed's perfect size for apartment dwelling and the saying among breeders and owners that, if this is the breed that captures your fancy, "you can't have just one."

5.2 Physical appearance.

The Miniature Pinscher ranges from 10-12.5 inches in height with the preferred size being 11-11.5 inches. Dogs shorter than 10 inches or taller than 12.5 inches are disqualified from the show ring. Males are square-bodied; females may be slightly longer than tall.

The whole picture of the Min Pin is one of refined elegance, both standing still and moving. The strong but not coarse head, slightly arched neck, level topline, and sleek, well-muscled body give the little dog the appearance of strength in a Lilliputian package. The coat is smooth, hard, straight, and lustrous in solid red, stag red (with black hairs intermingling), black-and-rust, or chocolate-and-rust. The rust markings are well-defined, not bleeding into the black or chocolate and are found on cheeks, lips, lower jaw, throat, lower half of forelegs, inside of hind legs and lower portion of hocks and feet, and in twin spots above the eyes and on the chest. Small spots of white not to exceed one-half inch in size are acceptable. 

Any other color or pattern is a disqualification, as is a thumb-print of black or chocolate on a rust leg. The thumb-print is associated with the Manchester Terrier and is prohibited in the Min Pin.

Min Pin ears are usually cropped but can be left natural. The tail is always docked.

The high-stepping gait of the Min Pin completes the picture of grace and style and reminds observers of the flashy gait of hackney horses bred to pull the carriages of upper class Europeans and southern gentlemen. Moderate shoulder angulation and good reach in front coupled with strong hindquarters lend to the naturally flamboyant trot.

5.3  Temperament

Min Pin temperament is described in the breed standard as "fearless animation, complete self-possession, and spirited presence." These qualities often lead to problems with unsuspecting first-time owners.

"This is not a lapdog breed," writes Michelle Lowell in Your Purebred Puppy. "He can be so much the temperamental tyrant when overly accommodated that spoiling is not recommended."

"You should find dynamite in a small package or something is wrong," according to a pamphlet from the Miniature Pinscher Club of America.

The Min Pin is curious, suspicious of strangers, vigorous, curious, inquisitive, funny, fearless, curious, energetic, and curious. He will escape from confinement whenever possible to satisfy his curiosity and indulge his need for activity.

Min Pin breeders recommend that buyers purchase an exercise pen with a lid for backyard respites as the tiny dog will leap out of a pen in the blink of an eye and can disappear before a human can react. The tiny dogs are so quick that they should never be allowed outside the yard unless carried or attached to a leash. He should also be watched whenever a door is opened, for he will take advantage of every opportunity to explore.

Although it is a tough and gingerly breed, the Min Pin cannot withstand the rough-and-tumble play of boisterous children. Even though he may bound from sofa to chair to floor and back again, the Min Pin is not sturdy enough for rough handling. However, he does well with older, well-behaved children.

The Min Pin may be the King of Toys, but he must learn from an early age that he is not King of the House. Walking on a leash, coming when called, and standing on a table are probably the most important lessons to be learned. Since obedience training is a must, the owner may as well put his time and effort to good use and work towards obedience titles. 

Shirley Meyers and Paula Lacker, both local Min Pin breeders, also train and compete in obedience classes. Meyers is working her champion bitch Charm towards a utility title; they have already earned a companion dog excellent, the second title in the triumvirate.

Firm, persistent, consistent, and gentle are the operative words in Min Pin training. No harsh corrections and no "He's so cute (or tiny), I can't bear to correct him," for both these extreme attitudes will result in disaster. Once the dog realizes he can't bluff you with his antics, he'll most likely come to enjoy the training time and the opportunity to please. 

On the other hand, the Miniature Pinscher Club of America offers this: "As typical of the Min Pin personality, the more a crowd laughs, the more he will mis-perform!" So don't opt for this breed unless you have a keen sense of comedy and can take a joke.

The Min Pin needs a room of his own to which he can be confined when he cannot be supervised. Since he can easily climb on furniture_ even tables and counters if he's determined to do so -- any small item that he may steal or choke on should be put away. This means no tubes of lip balm, pens and pencils, bowls of hard candy, children's toys, combs, paper clips, coins, etc. -- in short, anything that the dog can pick up and carry off.

5.4 Health and care

In spite of its tiny size and fine bones, the Min Pin is a hardy, healthy dog with few genetic problems. He is susceptible to generalized progressive retinal atrophy, an inherited eye abnormality that eventually causes blindness. However, he may suffer from unintentional rough handling of a child and should never be dropped, even from sofa-height, even though he might jump from the same height on his own.

Coat care is minimal. A brisk rubdown with a hand mitt or towel ensures a shiny coat. Frequent baths are not necessary and may dry the skin; instead, the dog can be wiped down with a washcloth dampened with warm water. Always make sure the dog is dry before an outdoor excursion.

As with other breeds, teeth should be kept clean and nails trimmed to avoid problems.

Because of its small size, bright attitude, and high-stepping gait, the Min Pin is a favorite of pet stores. At a recent dispersal of a commercial kennel, more than 50 Min Pins were sold. Obviously, anyone interested in raising puppies for money can fit many Min Pins in a small space. However, they cannot possibly give the puppies the attention they need and deserve in order to become well-adjusted family pets. Furthermore, small dogs raised in crates and cages without opportunity to walk on different surfaces, exposure to the sights and sounds of daily living, or basic house training is likely to be fearful of new experiences and difficult to teach appropriate defecation and urination habits.

A Min Pin purchased from a reputable and responsible breeder should be clean, well-socialized, and healthy. The breeder should advise the buyer on appropriate care and training and be available for assistance. All pet Min Pins should be spayed or neutered by agreement between breeder and buyer; breeding these tiny dogs is not an easy proposition, and only the best quality animals should join the gene pool.