PetCare Breed Information

Other names/Nicknames:

• Reh Pinscher
• Zwergpinscher
• Min Pin

Country/Date of origin:

• Germany
• 1800’s

Height:

• 10 to 12- 1/2 inches

Weight:

• 8 to 10 pounds

Personality:

• Lively and alert.
• High-spirited with unique personality.
• Always on the go.
• Due to aggressive nature, males have a tendency to mark territory with urine.
• Intelligent.

History:

The Miniature Pinscher looks like a tiny Doberman Pinscher.  Although both were created in Germany, they are not related.  The Miniature Pinscher, bred as a stable ratter, is several centuries older than the Doberman.  The breed was originally called the Reh Pinscher because of its resemblance to the tiny roe deer of Germany (Reh in German means deer).  Miniature Pinschers were brought to the United States in the 1920’s as companions and farm ratters.  They became quite popular, although it is difficult to find them today.

Body Type:

• Tiny, square-shaped, and high-spirited with a distinctive hackney gait.
• Some dogs develop self-standing ears, but ears are commonly cropped.
• Tail is docked short and is carried erect.
• Eyes are full, slightly oval, clean, and bright.

Coat:

• Short, smooth coat that is hard to the touch.
• Permissible colors are solid red, black with tan markings, or chocolate with rust markings.
• Low grooming requirements.

Health and Wellness:

• Legg-Perthes disease.
• Congenital deafness.
• Diabetes mellitus.
• Follicular dysplasia.

What you should know:

• Must have room to exercise or will become hyperactive.
• Noisy.
• Min Pins love to be pampered.
• Often mistaken for the Toy Manchester Terrier.  It is easy to tell the two breeds apart, as the Miniature Pinscher has a docked tail and a very level back.