Miniature Pinscher

Behavior

Miniature Pinschers rule the roost. If you have one of these dogs then you know that they feel as though they run the household. They want to be the center of attention and have the whole family focus on them. They like to be waited on and catered to and even walk around on their toes as if they are entitled to everything like a royal being. Even though they are confident and want attention, they also love to cuddle with you. They will quickly jump into any lap available. They have lots of energy and will frequently race around the house just to burn up some of that energy.

Miniature Pinschers make excellent watchdogs and are wary of any stranger who may come into the house. They also require a lot of training but in small doses so that they stay completely interested in the training and understand that you are the leader. They do not adapt well to families with small children and do not like sharing toys and food. They also should not be around cats or other small pets as the original intent of the breed was to hunt small animals.

Appearance

The Miniature Pinscher is a small dog that is very strong and muscular. It has bright eyes that are oval in shape and they have very small feet that are often thought to be almost cat-like. They have a strong shaped muzzle, cropped tail and ears and a very short coat of hair. The coat can be in a variety of colors, including chocolate, black, red or tan. Most Miniature Pinschers are just over eleven inches in height and only weigh about eight to ten pounds. The coat they maintain is smooth and hard and is very close to the body.

Grooming

Grooming a Miniature Pinscher is a very easy task. They do shed about as much as any other breed of dog and they do need to be brushed every three or four days to get rid of any loose hair or tangles and to help to keep the coat nice and shiny. If you rub your dog with a wet, warm washcloth a few times a week you can even avoid any bathing at all. Like any other breed of dog, you should check the ears often for any wax buildup and the teeth should be brushed to be sure they are clear of debris and tartar.

History

The Miniature Pinscher has its origins in Germany. It was bred to root out rats, rodents and other small vermin and developed into a constant companion for many people. It has also always been quite popular in Scandinavia for just as long. The actual ancestry is not really known but it is likely a direct descendant of the German Pinscher and mixed with other breeds such as the Dachshund and the Italian Greyhound. While it may look a lot like the Doberman Pinscher, they are not related at all. This breed was mostly found in Germany until the 1920s when it made its way into the United States, where it remains very popular today. It is also quite popular in Italy, Holland and Denmark.