Miniature Pinscher Dogs

A lovely little miniature pinscher with cheeky little ears

A miniature pinscher puppy with a playful little face

A cute miniature pinscher with his ears pricked

A GorGeous miniature pinscher ready for a game

A little miniature pinscher out for a walk with his coat on

History

The Miniature Pinscher, also sometimes simplified to Min Pin, is a German breed that dates back for hundreds of years. They were bred for rat catching and vermin control both in homes and on frms. It was first thought to be a miniature version of the Doberman, but this is not the case and they actually predate the Doberman. They were originally simply known as the Pinscher after the First World War, but were renamed to Miniature Pinscher in 1972.

Behaviour

The Min Pin is a very active and alert breed. They thrive when around their family and will want to join in with every family activity. They are best suited to a family with older children as young children can be too rough for them. They are confident in themselves and are always ready for action. They can be wary of strangers and other dogs, but early socialisation will help with this. Puppy classes are a must in order for them to get used to other dogs. They are fearless and will need showing who’s boss in order to prevent bad behaviour later on in their lives. They are happy dogs that like to play and have fun. They are loving and affectionate towards their families.

Miniature Pinschers have an independent streak and like to think for themselves, which can make training difficult at times. They need a firm but kind hand to get the best results out of them. Being incredibly active, daily exercise will be needed. Activities such as agility, Flyball and obedience will all help create a greater understanding of what you want from them and also make it fun for them. They will be happy if you are happy, but won’t always know how to make you happy.

They require at least one good length walk a day, but this can be on a leash. If you have a secure area you can walk them in, even better. Play with other dogs should be monitored as they may get hurt if the play gets a bit too rough, especially if the other dog is larger. They are masters of escape and will try to find a way out of your garden. Recall isn’t so great with them, once they see a furry animal in the distance they’ll be off in hot pursuit. They also have a tendency to eat anything they come across.

Min Pins are a small breed and as a result of this are more sensitive to the cold. In winter they’ll need a jacket or coat. Their short coats only require the occasional brush to remove dead hair.

Temperament

Miniature Pinschers are busy, energetic, playful little dogs who become very attached to their owners. They enjoy cuddle time on the sofa and love energetic games. They are very strong willed, and this makes them difficult to train. They are also particularly unfriendly with other pets or dogs they have not met before, and will always bark aggressively at strangers. Early socialization can go a certain way toward reducing this unwanted behavior, but the dog's territorial instincts are too strong for them to calm down completely. The upside of this is that this temperament makes them fantastic watchdogs.

Health Problems

Miniature Pinschers can be prone to canine hip dysplasia, Legg Calve Perthes disease, epilepsy, heart disease, cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, skin problems, and hypothyroidism.