The Miniature Pinscher, or Reh Pinscher, as he is called in Germany, is a fearless little dog. And while he may only be about 12 inches tall but is no less tenacious than much bigger dogs. This is why it’s fair to say that the Min Pins are not necessarily going to be the easiest dog for a first-time dog owner to manage, but if you’re an experienced dog owner or just someone who loves a good challenge, then perhaps this might be the right dog for you.
After all…
They are a source of constant fun and entertainment, so bringing him home is well worth it if you are up for the challenge! But be warned; these little guys seem to have a complete lack of self-awareness! That’s the best way to describe this little dog’s attitude toward life. He thinks the world of himself and has no clue that he is just a tiny dog classified under the Toy Breed category.
In fact…
Something about Toy Breeds, such as the Min Pin, reminds you of the famous fictional hero, Don Quixote. In his mind, he is a big dog, a Great Dane, or a Mastiff. Indeed, you put him next to a Mastiff, and he will not hesitate to challenge the giant breed to a one-on-one fight to the death! That said, he can be a bit of a hot-headed little guy, and although he can be irritating at times, it’s hard not to laugh at some things he does. He is hilarious but doesn’t know it yet!
But the real question is…
Is one of these little mighty mites going to be right for you? And while we here at IndugleYourPet have no way of answering this, we can share with you what we know about the Miniature Pinscher dog breed so that you might be better prepared to answer this.
So, without further ado, let’s dive right in!
Miniature Pinscher Fast Facts
Country of Origin: Germany
Original Purpose: Hunting small vermin
Height: 10 to 12.5 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 8 to 11 pounds
Dog Breed Classification: Toy Group
Life Span: 15 years
Origin of the Miniature Pinscher Dog Breed
While it is true that the Miniature Pinscher dog breed was bred in Sweden, Denmark, and Norway early on, it is generally agreed upon that the “first” Miniature Pinscher was created in Germany sometime in the early 1800s. Then, folks believed that the Miniature Pinscher was “created” by crossing the German Pinscher with the Dachshund and the Italian Greyhound. And before you say…
“Wait a minute, don’t you mean Doberman Pinscher?”
The truth is while the Min Pins are often compared to the Doberman Pinscher, there is nothing in common, except that they both have the German Pinscher as one of their ancestors.
Now it’s essential to…
Understand that since his creation, this little guy has been a popular breed in Germany, where the first German Pinscher-Schnauzer Club was started in 1895. The Min Pin was the center of attraction at the Stuttgart Dog Show of 1900. Unfortunately…
Like many domesticated animals throughout Europe during WWI and WWII, these guys’ numbers decreased dramatically. It also didn’t help much that these guys were considered a “German” dog breed when Germany wasn’t all that widespread worldwide.
As a result…
Their numbers plunged to the point that the breed might not have survived had it not been that many of these dogs had been exported to the United States. And while the Miniature Pinscher did not immediately make much of an impression in the United States, once they became “officially” recognized by the American Kennel Clube as a “Miscellaneous Class” in 1925, things began to turn around for these little guys.
So much so that the Miniature Pinscher Club of America was started in 1929, which definitely “boosted” their popularity and is probably why they are as popular as they are today.
Physical Characteristics
The Min Pin is a sleek, muscular dog, small in size. He weighs only between 8 and 11 pounds and rises to 10 to 12.5 inches in height. He has a strong muzzle, a black nose, and sharp teeth. He has cropped ears and oval-shaped eyes. He also has a smooth, short, and easy-to-maintain coat with different color combinations, such as chocolate, black and tan, and red. The coat hair is soft, fast, and close-set.
Now…
Since this dog doesn’t have much body fat or fur to protect him from the cold, you should ensure he is adequately covered during the winter.
Comparisons Dog Breeds
In many ways, the Miniature Pinscher reminds you of the Doberman Pinscher. Like the Doberman Pinscher, the Min Pin is a popular breed in the United States. He is among the most common family pets in Holland, Italy, and Denmark. These guys also share many similarities with another ferocious small breed called the Italian Greyhound. He is often compared to the German Pinscher, which is much more prominent.
Personality and Temperament
If it is a watchdog that you’re looking for, few can match the Min Pins. The little guy has exceptional hearing and can sense danger from a distance away. He has a very sharp voice, which is impossible to ignore when he starts barking loudly.
He is a very loyal dog.
The Min Pins can terrorize strangers or the poor pizza delivery guy, but if there is one thing you can say about them, they are very devoted to their owners. These are incredibly loyal dogs that stick with you no matter what. You should also know that these little guys will follow you to the end of the world and defend you and your family against any danger. Yes, this little guy is capable of scaring off burglars with his loud bark – which makes him appear much more significant than he is.
And while…
These little guys, indeed, have quite a temper… They’re also very affectionate towards their human family. He wants to be a part of everything you do, and you dare not ignore him! He is a leader, not a follower, so you must be assertive with this little fellow. His training and socialization should start right when he is only a puppy.
Potential Health Concerns
The Miniature Pinscher is one of the healthiest dog breeds with an I, impressive life expectancy of 15 years. Most of the smaller breeds tend to live long and remain healthy.
But even this dog can suffer from specific health issues such as…
- Intervertebral disk disease,
- Obesity,
- Epilepsy,
- Chronic superficial keratitis (Pannus),
- Glaucoma,
- Cataracts,
- Progressive retinal atrophy,
- Hypothyroidism,
- Legg-calve-perthes disease,
- Patellar luxation.
And while many of these conditions may not be life-threatening, they can become quite expensive, particularly if they become recurring issues. This is why we here at IndulgeYourPet also recommend that any new pet owner take a moment and see what it might cost for you to purchase a pet insurance policy for your new animal.
Now will a pet insurance policy be suitable for everyone?
No, probably not. But until you fully understand what these policies “will” and “won’t” cover and how much these pet insurance policies cost, how will you know if one might be right for you?
For more information on who we feel currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies out there, we would encourage you to check out our Best Pet Insurance Policies article.
