miniature pinscher

Miniature Pinscher

Miniature Pinscher
Other names	Zwergpinscher
Nicknames	Min Pin, King of the Toys
Country of origin	Germany
Traits
Classification & standards FCI Group 2 Section 1 #185 standard AKC Toy standard ANKC Group 1 (Toys) standard CKC Group 5 - Toys [? standard] KC (UK) Toy standard NZKC Toy standard UKC Companion Breeds standard

The Miniature Pinscher (Zwergpinscher, Min Pin) is a small breed of dog of the Pinscher type, developed in Germany. Miniature Pinschers were first bred to hunt vermin, especially rats. Pinscher, like terrier refers to the behavioral traits of the breed and Zwerg means Dwarf. The Miniature Pinscher is also known as the "King of the Toy Dogs". The international kennel club, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, lists the Miniature Pinscher in Group 2, Section 1.1 Pinscher, along with the Dobermann, the German Pinscher, the Austrian Pinscher, and the other toy pinscher, the Affenpinscher.^[1] Other kennel clubs list the Miniature Pinscher in the Toy Group or Companion Group.

Description

Appearance

The original true Miniature Pinscher was more stout in appearance than today's refined dog. Its coat was more coarse and the dog in general was less refined. The refined look of today's dog was a result primarily of many who neglected to realize that the breed was a working breed and not a toy breed. Much of the natural look went away with years of breeding for the refined small dog now seen as today's Miniature Pinscher. The miniature Pinscher also tends to have very long legs, and a small body, which can sometimes make it look quite comical. As a result of the flexible, agile body of a miniature pinscher, they are able to curl up in almost any position and almost always be comfortable.

Size

Typically, the Miniature Pinscher stands 10 inches to 12.5 inches, with desired height 11 inches to 11.5 inches measured at highest point of the shoulder blades. A height of under 10 inches or above 12.5 inches is a disqualification.^{[citation needed]}

Coat and color

Gotti, a 3 year old Miniature Pinscher with cropped ears.

A red Min Pin and a chocolate Min Pin

The coat is short and smooth, with colors, according to most breed standards, of red, stag-red, and black or chocolate with tan or rust markings, in addition to the blue and fawn. Blue coats, while admitted into the UK Kennel Club, can be registered in the American Kennel Club but cannot compete in show. They still benefit from all other aspects of the AKC. The Miniature Pinscher frequently has a docked tail and cropped ears, though the AKC no longer requires ear cropping for shows. The AKC standard specifies a characteristic hackney-like action: "a high-stepping, reaching, free and easy gait in which the front leg moves straight forward and in front of the body and the foot bends at the wrist. The dog drives smoothly and strongly from the rear. The head and tail are carried high." The standard in Europe does not require the high stepping gait as the original Miniature Pinscher (zwergpinscher) did not walk in such a fashion. In Europe and Germany this high stepping gait is considered a fault.

The miniature pinscher will on occasion carry a small white patch generally located on neck or breast area. This links directly back to the original breed coloring. The Miniature Pinscher did come in Merle coloring which in the Dachshund is referred to as Dapple and in Harlequin like that found in the Great Dane. The white gene is part of the makeup of this breed; though breeders for years have fought to eliminate this gene, it is accepted by AKC in conformation and show so long as the area of white is limited to no more than 1/2 inch in direction.

Temperament

A Miniature Pincher with a boxer

The miniature pinscher is an energetic dog that thrives on owner interaction. They are very loyal dogs and are typically categorized as "one, or two person dogs", but with socialization, they can be integrated into families, and get along moderately with other dogs, pets, and children. Children, especially younger ones, must be encouraged to act gently to avoid being bit as these dogs are known to snap without any provocation. Socialization as puppies will help ensure they can co-exist and interact with other dogs as adults. Min Pins are known for biting people when being simply introduced as a stranger and are extremely protective of their owners. This protective instinct will manifest as nonstop barking and challenging postures. Although originally bred for ratting, they are also excellent watch dogs, barking at all things they deem a threat.

These little dogs will need lots of exercise per day. A backyard would be preferable so they can have an outdoor area to run around in, but it will need to be securely fenced in as this breed is the Houdini of the dog world when it comes to escaping.[1] The breed is a toy breed (AKC), these dogs' energy level exceeds the traditional concept or idea of the standard toy breed. Daily walks are not sufficient for this breed to wear off their excess energy. Though dog parks can be a solution, the true Miniature Pinscher, being a terrier, can go on the hunt at any moment, so an off-lead dog is a serious challenge with this breed. This dog truly does not see itself as small and therefore will challenge anything, including larger breeds. The breed is rated the 3rd worst breed for apartments due to overall lack of exercise as well as natural guarding instincts which lends the dog to barking and leads to many noise complaints. In addition, the dog can be quite destructive to homes if the dog is not allowed ample time to expel its natural energy that gets pent up when no secure yard is available. These dogs are only suitable for apartments if they have regular exercise. A daily 45 minute+ exercise regimen is a must in order to have this dog in an apartment.^{[citation needed]}

Care

• Although the breed is not necessarily bad with children, much care must be taken in educating youths about proper handling and play. The dogs are relatively sturdy for their size but can be easily injured by rough play with a child. In addition, their high-strung temperament leaves little patience for such rough play.

• Grooming is easy, as the smooth, short-haired coat requires little attention. Care must be taken in colder weather as the coat provides virtually no insulation from the cold.

• Due to their instinct to hunt vermin, special care must be taken in preventing a Miniature Pinscher from "attacking" small objects, such as bottle caps, as they could pose a choking hazard.

• Miniature Pinschers are also prone to overeating and should have their diets monitored to prevent obesity.

• This breed has an insatiable curiosity, so the best toys for Miniature Pinschers are ones that stimulate their curiosity. This may include toys that move or make an interesting noise. Miniature Pinschers enjoy having a collection of such toys, which they will hoard and spend much time in moving from one collecting place to another. However, Miniature Pinschers will chew and inevitably try to eat their toys, so avoid toys made of rubber or plastic. Small stuffed animals, rope toys, and interactive toys that pose a challenge work well. Cat toys (that do not have catnip) are also suitable.

Six-month old Min Pin (uncropped ears) with baby blanket

• Miniature Pinschers are territorial, so they should be provided with their own place to rest and sleep, though they will commonly stake a claim to a particular piece of furniture or curtain under or behind which they will sleep when people are in the room. They prefer to sleep on soft objects as well as under soft objects, so a small blanket should be provided to cover them. Unless the owner is amenable to sharing his or her bed, bedroom doors must be kept closed at night as Miniature Pinschers will jump onto beds and crawl under the covers. Care should be taken not to accidentally injure a Miniature Pinscher while they are sleeping under blankets.
• It is essential due to the energy level of this breed that a secured fenced yard be provided. Miniature Pinschers need to exercise regularly. In addition, when in public this breed must be kept on harness and leash, as it is natural for this breed to give chase if something of interest catches its eye.

History

Red Miniature Pinscher with uncut ears.

Although the two breeds are similar in appearance, the Miniature Pinscher is not a "Miniature Doberman"; it predates the latter (although both are likely descended from the German Pinscher^[2][3], but the relationship ends there). Although the Miniature Pinscher appeared in paintings and sculptures several centuries ago, the factual documentation on this breed goes back to 1836 with the writings of Dr. Reichenbach. The Doberman Pinscher was bred by Karl Frederich Louis Dobermann in 1880, and Dobermann had noted that he was looking to create a dog resembling the Miniature "Zwergpinscher" Pinscher but 15 times larger.

In 1895, the Pinscher Schnauzer Klub officially recognized Dobermann's Pinscher. The misconception in the U.S. that the Miniature Pinscher is a "miniature doberman" occurred because the Doberman Pinscher was introduced to the US before the Miniature Pinscher. In 1919 the Miniature Pinscher was introduced to the AKC show ring. At that time, not knowing that it was referred to officially in Germany as the Zwergpinscher (dwarfpinscher), the AKC referred to the breed as simply "Pinscher" and listed it in the miscellaneous category. By 1929 (the year of the breed's official introduction into the AKC), not noting it was a true Terrier breed, it was decided to officially place it in the Toy breed classification. Unfortunately the AKC's description, that the dog "must appear as a Doberman in miniature", led to the misconception common today that this breed is a "Miniature Doberman Pinscher". The original name for this breed in the US was "Pinscher" until 1972 when the name was officially changed to Miniature Pinscher.

Drawing of a Miniature Pinscher and a German Pinscher (Pinscher und Zwergpinscher), 1888.

Historical artifacts and paintings indicate that the Min Pin is a very old breed, but factual documentation begins less than 200 years ago,^[4] which leaves the breed's actual origins open to debate. In 1836 (the oldest documented mention of the Miniature Pinscher) after years of study of the breed Dr. Reichenbach determined that the Miniature Pinscher was derived from crossing a smooth coated Dachshund (a favorite German breed of the time with excellent ratting skills) with an Italian Greyhound. This is the only documented fact about the Min Pin's origin; however, many historians^[3] and those who have researched the background of the breed agree that the ancestry of the Miniature Pinscher most likely includes smaller German smooth-haired Pinschers,^[5] the Italian Greyhound and the Smooth Haired Dachshund.^[4] Including the Italian Greyhound made a swifter ratter as this breed was primarily used on farms where open fields required a faster dog to chase down rats and mice.

The original Miniature Pinscher was not a true house pet but a working breed left to the barn with minimal human contact, much like feral cats on farms today. This created the unique independent trait in the breed that is still found today.

It must also be noted that the word "pinscher" in German does not mean "terrier". The word "terrier", like "setter", pertains to the way the breed works. The German word "pinscher" translates to "biter" or the way it bites when attacking its prey.

See also

• Mr. Rap
• German Pinscher
• Affenpinscher
• Companion dog
• Companion Dog Group
• Toy Group
• Doxie-Pin

References

1. ^ Fédération Cynologique Internationale Group 2
2. ^ American Kennel Club "Miniature Pinscher History". Retrieved 07/03/2009.
3. ^ ^{a b} Miniature Pinscher Club of America, Inc. "MPCA Judge's Education - Breed History & Characteristics." Retrieved 07/01/2009.
4. ^ ^{a b} American Kennel Club "Miniature Pinscher History." Retrieved 07/03/2009.
5. ^ American Kennel Club "German Pinscher History". Retrieved 07/02/2009.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Miniature Pinscher

• American Kennel Club article on Miniature Pinschers, retrieved March 20, 2007.
• Miniature Pinscher Club of America
• Canadian Miniature Pinscher Club
• The Miniature Pinscher A-Z Guide
• Internet Miniature Pinscher Service (IMPS), U.S. breed rescue organization