MINIATURE PINSCHER Breed Standards
Despite a great similarity in appearance, the Miniature Pinscher is not, as many believe, descended from the Doberman Pinscher. The breed is, in fact, older than the Doberman Pinscher. It was developed in Germany by crossbreeding various terriers and other dogs, including the German Pinscher, Dachshund and possibly the Italian Greyhound; the Min Pin was originally created to control the rat population in stables.
The Miniature Pinscher – or at least a similar looking dog – was first depicted in paintings and sculptures beginning in the 17th century. It was not documented in writing, however, until some 200 years ago. Many people confuse the relationship between the Miniature Pinscher and the Doberman Pinscher, incorrectly believing that the Min Pin is a miniaturized Doberman. During the 1930s, the Miniature Pinscher breed standard stated that the dog should resemble a small Doberman Pinscher, when in fact the Doberman had been created in 1890 by Lois Dobermann to resemble the Miniature Pinscher. Therefore, it is actually the Doberman that is named and modeled after the Min Pin, not the other way around. The Miniature Pinscher was first imported to the United States in 1919, and was registered with the American Kennel Club in 1925. Today, the Min Pin is a fixture at dog shows and one of the more popular breeds in the US. It is often referred to as “The King of the Toy Dogs.”
SKILLS: The Miniature Pinscher is structurally a well balanced, sturdy, compact, short-coupled, smooth-coated dog. He naturally is well groomed, proud, vigorous and alert. Characteristic traits are his hackney-like action, fearless animation, complete self-possession, and his spirited presence.
SIZE: Size -10 inches to 12½ inches in height allowed, with desired height 11 inches to 11½ inches measured at highest point of the shoulder blades. Disqualification -Under 10 inches or over 12½ inches in height. Length of males equals height at withers. Females may be slightly longer.
COAT: Smooth, hard and short, straight and lustrous, closely adhering to and uniformly covering the body. Color - Solid clear red. Stag red (red with intermingling of black hairs). Black with sharply defined rust-red markings on cheeks, lips, lower jaw, throat, twin spots above eyes and chest, lower half of forelegs, inside of hind legs and vent region, lower portion of hocks and feet. Black pencil stripes on toes. Chocolate with rust-red markings the same as specified for blacks, except brown pencil stripes on toes. In the solid red and stag red a rich vibrant medium to dark shade is preferred. Disqualifications -Any color other than listed. Thumb mark (patch of black hair surrounded by rust on the front of the foreleg between the foot and the wrist; on chocolates, the patch is chocolate hair). White on any part of dog which exceeds one-half inch in its longest dimension
CARE REQUIRED: The Miniature Pinscher's smooth, short-haired, hard coat is easy to groom. Comb and brush with a firm bristle brush, and shampoo only when necessary. Loose hair can be remove by wiping over with a warm, damp washcloth. This breed is an average shedder.
CHARACTER: Fearless animation, complete self-possession, and spirited presence.
TRAINING: These dogs do not require a lot of exercise but should be given regular opportunities to run and play. Make sure any yard in which they can run loose has a fence high enough to prevent their determined efforts to escape and explore.
SOCIAL BEHAVIOR: The Miniature Pinscher is good for apartment life. It is very active indoors and will do okay without a yard. The Miniature Pinscher should be protected from the cold.
EXERCISE: They are rather suspicious towards strangers, but their behavior depends entirely upon how they were brought up as young pups. Don't spoil this breed too much or the dog may become a tyrant.
