Miniature Pinscher information and news.
The Miniature Pinscher (Zwergpinscher, Min Pin) is a small breed of dog, originating from Germany. Their earliest ancestors are a mix of Italian Greyhounds and Dachsunds. Miniature Pinschers were the first bred to hunt small mammals, especially rats. The Miniature Pinscher is also known as the "King of the Toys". 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. Other kennel clubs list the Miniature Pinscher in the Toy Group or Companion Group.
They are a working breed and not a toy dog, per se. Buyers should also be aware that there is no such dog as a "teacup" or "pocket" Min Pin: These are simply terms that certain breeders use to increase interest in their dogs (and sometimes the price). The miniature Pinscher also tends to have very long legs and a small body, which can sometimes make it look quite comical with cat-like grace. 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. Having long legs and fragile bones means they are prone to broken bones, especially in the first few years of life. They should not be allowed to jump off high surfaces and be monitored when held by children. Additionally, miniature pinschers can have luxating patella, or dislocated kneecap, and should be checked by a vet for this when young. This can often lead to surgery so potential owners need to consider incurring these types of expensive bills.
Miniature Pinscher breed standard calls for 10 to 12.5 inches at the withers (shoulders) with any dog under 10 or over 12.5 not eligible to be shown. The original Miniature Pinscher actually had more variance as being a cross between a smooth coated Dachshund and a Miniature Greyhound (known today as the Italian Greyhound, led to some carrying the Dachshund legs while others carried the Italian Greyhound leg creating some short and some tall. After many years of German breeding an average was maintained. Though today's standard is smaller than the original. Germans bred Miniature Pinschers until they could not stand due to small size and frailty, but there was good breeding stock left in Sweden.
