Miniature Pinscher – Athletic Toy Dog Breed

Miniature Pinscher – Athletic Toy Dog Breed

Miniature Pinscher known as the “ king of the Toys” and originally from Germany. Miniature Pinscher Dog has square-proportioned compact, sturdy body with moderate tuck up and short coupling. The complete self-possession and high-stepping hackney gait, upstanding and alert are some of the characters. The coat is smooth, hard and short. It is among the most athletic of toy breeds. Among the most energetic of all breeds, the min pin is a perpetual motion machine. 

It is busy, inquisitive, playful, bold and brash. With his black and rust coloring cropped ears, and docked tail, he resembles his cousin the Doberman Pinscher, but he is not a miniature Dobie. Coat colors include red, stag red (red with black hairs), black with rust markings, or chocolate with tan.  The Miniature Pinscher should be between 10 to 12 ½ inches in height and ideal weight for a Miniature Pinscher is 8-10 pounds. The slightly oval eyes are dark. The ears are set high and either cropped or left natural. 

The front legs are straight. Dewclaw’s are usually removed. The small feet are cat-like in shape. The short, smooth, hard coat lies close to the body. Grooming is easy, as the smooth, short-haired coat requires little attention, needing only occasional brushing and shampooing. Care must be taken in cold weather. Miniature Pinscher are an active breed and need access to a fenced yard, or be given a daily walk. 

The Miniature Pinscher is an assertive outgoing, active and independent breed. Miniature Pinschers are energetic and need a fenced in yard to run in, the make great agility dogs. They are good watch dogs, as they are alert and wary of strangers. The Miniature Pinscher is good for apartment lift. It is very active indoors and will do okay without a yard. The Miniature Pinscher should be protected from the cold. The Miniature Pinschers are a unique and wonderful breed of dog. Miniature Pinscher also known as Min Pin.

Color and Coat :

1.      Solid Clear Red – most common color, varying from a dark rusty red to a color that is almost tan. Color should be rich and vibrant. A medium to dark shade is preferred.

2.      Stag Red – Red with intermingling of black hairs. Color should b rich and vibrant. A medium to dark shade is preferred.

3.      Black and Tan – Black with sharply defined rust- red markings on cheeks, lips, lower jaw, throat, twin spots above eyes and chest, lower half of forelegs, inside of hind legs and vent region, lower portion of hocks and feet. Black pencil stripes on toes.

4.      Chocolate and Tan – Chocolate with rust-red markings the same as specified for blacks, except brown pencil stripes on toes.

The min pin’s ancestors originated in Germany, where they served as rat catchers. The breed first received AKC recognition in 1925 as a member of the terrier group. Five years later, min pins were reclassified as members of the toy group. Min pins are known for their “ hackney-like” action, named for fashinable carriage horses and ponies. This movement consists of high-stepping with the front legs moving “ Straight forward and in front of the body and the food bending at the wrist “ .  The proud little min pin carries his tail and head high. The Miniature Pinscher is a German breed and developed from the Dachshund, Italian Greyhound and the shorthaired German Pinscher. The breed looks like a mini Doberman, most likely because both the Miniature Pinscher and the Doberman both were developed from the German Pinscher. The breed was used as a barnyard ratter, controlling the rodent population in the stables. The Miniature Pinscher’s talents are competitive, watchdog and agility. The life expectancy is about 15 years or more.