Miniature Pinscher

The Miniature Pinscher (or Min Pin), sometimes called the 'King of the Toys', makes an ideal pet for the town dweller who, nonetheless, wants a lively sporting companion. It will follow a scent and give a good account of itself in obedience competitions, The breed's hackney gait is a delight to watch, as it trots along like a dainty little horse. It has the added advantages of rarely moulting and of requiring the minimum of attention to keep its coat in fine condition. It is not, as many people assume, a miniature version of the Dobermann.

Origin and history

The Miniature Pinscher is not a smaller version of the Dobermann Pinscher, but a much older breed descended from the German Smooth-haired Pinscher. It is suggested that the Italian Greyhound and the Dachshund contributed to its make-up. In any event, it was given pedigree status by the German Pinscher-Schnauzer Klub, founded in 1895.

Miniature Pinscher Puppies

Good points

  • Delightful hackney gait
  • Easy to look after
  • Fearless
  • Good house dog
  • Intelligent
  • Rarely moults
  • Suitable for town or country life

Take heed

  • Do not overfeed

Size

The height is 10-12in (25-30cm) at the withers. (There are some slight differences in the US standard as regards acceptable colour and size.)

Exercise

The Min Pin will exercise itself in a reasonable-sized garden or yard, or accompany its owner on a day-long trek. This adaptable dog will be happy living in a flat and being taken for walks around the park, or living a country life.

Miniature Pinscher Information

General appearance

The Miniature Pinscher is structurally a well-balanced, sturdy, compact, elegant, short-coupled, smooth­coated toy dog. It is naturally well­groomed, proud, vigorous and alert. The natural characteristic traits that identify it from other toy dogs are the precise hackney gait, fearless animation, complete se'lf­possession and spirited presence.

Colour

Black, blue or chocolate with sharply defined tan markings on cheeks, lips, lower jaw, throat; twin spots above eyes, chest, lower half of forelegs, inside of hindlegs and vent region, lower portion of hocks and feet.

Head and skull

Rather more elongated than short and round, Narrow and without conspicuous cheek formation. In correct proportion to the body. The skull should appear flat when viewed from the front. The muzzle must be rather strong and proportionate to the skull. The nose well formed, black only, with the exception of chocolates and blue,>, which may have a self-coloured nose.

Tail

A continuation of the top line, carried a little high and docked short,

Feet

Legs straight, medium bone. Feet cat-like; elbows close to body; nails dark,

Miniature Pinscher Feeding & Grooming

Grooming

An occasional brushing and a rub down with a chamois leather will keep the Min Pin in gleaming condition,

Feeding

About 70z (198g) of a branded meaty product with biscuit added in equal part by volume, or 1 cupful of a dry food, complete diet, mixed in the proportion of 1 cup of feed to '/2 cup of hot or cold water.

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