About Miniature Pinschers

Miniature pinschers are small dogs that make excellent companions and do well around other pets and children. Although they are small, they are loyal, proud and energetic. These dogs are perfect if you need an animal to accompany you on your daily walks. Plus, they are easy to groom and maintain, unlike larger, long-haired dogs.

  1. History

    • The miniature Pinscher, or MinPin, was originally bred from terriers in Germany. "Pinscher" actually means "terrier" in the German language. This breed was bred for hunting rats in horse stables. Later Italian greyhounds were crossbred with pinschers to create a high-stepping dog that was still small in size. This breed's talents include obedience, watchdogging and agility.

    Features

    • The MinPin can be red, black and tan, or chocolate. They are small dogs with a proud, high stance. Their fur is short and can easily be maintained. Usually, their tail is docked and sometimes their ears are cropped. Although they are small dogs, they have a muscular build and a balanced frame. Their snout is tapered and the rest of their body has smooth lines. Their eyes are dark in color and have an oval shape.

    Size

    • This breed has a small frame, so it's important for them to maintain a healthy weight. They are usually 10 to 12.5 inches in height, and females are sometimes longer. They usually weigh between 8 and 10 lbs. According to American Kennel Club regulations, MinPins are disqualified if they are under 10 inches or over 12.5 inches in height.

    Considerations

    • Miniature Pinschers are energetic, but they can live in an apartment. However, it's crucial for them to be walked on a daily basis. If they are not walked regularly, they will behave badly out of boredom. This is a healthy breed, and it lives on average for 15 or more years. The dog is a little more sensitive to the cold since it's smaller, so it should be properly sheltered and protected from cold weather.

    Prevention/Solution

    • It's easy for this dog to suffer from the Small Dog Syndrome. This is when owners allow the MinPin to be the pack leader. This causes negative behavior, because the dog might be more aggressive around other animals and more protective and jealous of its owner. To prevent this syndrome from developing, the dog should be socialized with other animals often and should be taught how to act around company.