Min Pin Dog Breed Characteristics

Miniature Pinschers, affectionately called "Min Pins," are tiny dogs with feisty and animated personalities. The Miniature Pinscher is a direct descendant of the much larger German Standard Pinscher. The Min Pin was bred several centuries ago to be an avid ratter on rural farms. The American Kennel Club believes that the the breed was also derived from the Dachshund and the Italian Greyhound.

  1. Personality

    • The Min Pin breed is known as the "King of Toys." One of their most endearing characteristics is their complete belief that the world revolves around them. They see everything with fearless eyes and they are full of curiosity. Min Pins adore playing, long walks and ample lap time. According to the Miniature Pinscher Club of America, life with a Miniature Pinscher is similar to "living with a roomful of toddlers who never grow up." The energy demands of the breed are intense, and their avid curiosity can often lead them into trouble. Many Min Pins resist being confined and will find ways to escape from a yard if left alone.

    The Min Pin And Children

    • The Min Pin is a tiny dog that only stands between 10 to 12 inches tall with an average weight of 8 to 10 lbs. This diminutive size makes the dog susceptible to injury with rough handling. A Min Pin that is raised around children who treat it with respect will be an ideal companion, but it may bite if a child is rough with the dog or mistreats it. Min Pins have a deep need to please humans, and they will easily form a lifelong friendship with a child.

    Housebreaking

    • One of the drawbacks to the Min Pin is that they are notoriously difficult to housebreak. Because of the Min Pin's tiny size, it needs to feel safe and secure in the back yard to make housebreaking successful. Most members of the breed despise cold weather, rain and snow, which makes it difficult to housebreak them; the dog would rather seek out a warm corner of the house to eliminate than brave the elements. Many owners place a warm dog sweater on the Min Pin to facilitate housebreaking in cold weather.

    Health Problems

    • The Min Pin is a relatively healthy breed that tends to be quite sturdy despite their tiny size. The breed does suffer from patellar luxation, a painful condition which causes the dog's knee cap to pop out of place. Determine if any of the dog's line suffers from patellar luxation before choosing a Min Pin. Epilepsy, heart disease, eye problems, thyroid disorders, cervical dry disc (the discs of the spine dry out and cause pain) and Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome (a disease of the hip joints) are all found in the Min Pin according to the Miniature Pinscher Club of America.