Facts About Miniature Doberman Dogs

These feisty little dogs are not to be confused with their "doberman" counterpart. The differences between dobermans and "min pins" are much greater than just their difference in size. The miniature doberman is not related to the larger doberman pinscher breed, though they share the name. Find out all of the facts on these excitable pets before you have one as your pet.

  1. History

    • Though the miniature pinscher is unrelated to the doberman, they both share the same homeland, Germany. This tiny animal has a history that reaches much further back than the doberman, all the way to the 1600s. It was bred from the Italian greyhound, dachsund, and German pinscher to control the rat populations on farms. They resemble the doberman due to their both being bred from the German pinscher. It got its "doberman" status when the American Kennel Club formally recognized it as a "miniature doberman," though the two breeds are not related.

    Classification

    • The official classification of the miniature pinscher is toy terrier. Though some would see the fragile appearance of this dog as indication that it is pampered lapdog, it still carries the ability to be an effective vermin killer. The toy classification comes from its small stature which is under 12 -1/2 inches. However, this pet is tough when it comes to protecting your house from small rodents.

    Physical Description

    • This small dog has a solid, square body, a flat head and eyes that are dark and ovular shaped. Both the ears and the tail are generally cropped in countries where it is legal. The min pin has a coat that is very short with a hard texture. It comes in a combination of black and rust, chocolate with tan red and red stag.

    Personality

    • Despite their size, miniature pinschers have a great amount of courage. They are extremely protective and alert when it comes to strangers entering your home and generally are territorial about other dogs sharing the same space. They are very energetic and proud; they must have proper discipline so that they do not assume they are the "pack leader."