The Miniature Pinscher🐾

Min Pin Breed Profile For Owners

The Many Shades Of The Miniature Pinscher

History Of The Breed🐾

Originating in Germany, the Miniature Pinscher (Min Pin for short) also known as the Reh Pinscher back then, so called because of it’s resemblance to a small red deer inhabiting Germany at the time, was bred to hunt small vermin such as mice and rats. Another old name that is still popular today is the Zwergpinscher, which is used in the majority of European countries, Ukraine and Russia as well as in many organisations and kennel clubs. Historical reports will tell you that the Min Pin is a very old breed and was developed using 3 other breeds, namely the Dachshund, Italian Greyhound and the German Pinscher, all breeds that are popular today, and some other small terrier-like dogs. Personally, we can see the influence of all 3 breeds when we look at a Min Pin. As many would agree, on appearance the Min Pin resembles a small Doberman Pinscher, however, the Min Pin did not originate from this large breed and is not simply a smaller version but both breeds have had the German Pinscher’s genes gone into their development. The Doberman Pinscher was actually modelled on the Min Pin by Karl Friedich Louis Dobermann around the late 19th century, who desired to have a much larger dog resembling the Min Pin with the sole function of being for personal protection. The FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale), a worldwide organisation of kennel clubs based in Belgium, describes the Min Pin as a scaled-down version of the German Pinscher on appearance (we believe this is slightly inaccurate because the Min Pin is a lot more athletic-looking and graceful with a much larger personality showing through!). In 1895, a club for Pinscher-like breeds such as the Affenpinscher and the Schnauzer was founded called the German Pinscher-Schnauzer-Club which the Min Pin we know today was part of. This club included different breeds which contained both large and small varieties as well as two distinct coat types. Efforts to begin to define and separate the varieties started in the mid-1800’s when breeders no longer cross bred the coat types. First exhibited at the Stuttgart Dog Show in Germany in 1900, Min Pins were almost unknown outside of that country as they were not extensively bred outside Germany, except in the Scandinavian countries, until after 1918. Around these times the Min Pin’s popularity slowly began to flourish. Before the breed gained any popularity in the United Kingdom, across the pond in the United States, the Min Pin was already well established and loved in the show ring. The breed was first imported into the US in 1919 and the American Kennel Club (AKC) was the first to register the Min Pin, newly classifying it as a toy breed in, 1925. Later on in 1929, a breed club named the Miniature Pinscher Club Of America (MPCA) was established showing their Min Pins and a few years later, they reclassified the breed as a toy. The year reported that Min Pins first arrived in the UK is a little sketchy, however, the Miniature Pinscher Club of Great Britain, founded in 1955, puts the time at around 1938. Across Europe, the Min Pin was placed in the Pinscher group as it still is today whereas everywhere else, its either placed in the Toy or Companion group. Since it’s rise to international recognition in the dog show world and it’s cherishment as a little companion, the breed’s original small vermin-hunting roots are long forgotten. It’s since been bred as an entertaining and loving companion for generations and generations.

Appearance And Physicality🐾

The delightful little Min Pin comes in an exciting variety of colours; solid red (like our Mikki), stag red, black and tan, blue and tan (only a permitted show ring colour in the UK), chocolate and tan, fawn (not a permitted show ring colour anywhere) and newer colour, harlequin. Only a handful of breeders breed harlequin but it is not a recognised colour by any of the major breed clubs or breed standards. The 5 Kennel Club permitted colours come in a variety of shades. A Min Pin should have these colours with solid coverage without sporting any white patches, which would most likely be a fault according to the breed standard. Depending on lineage, a Min Pin’s intensity of coat colour and shade can vary greatly e.g. some reds can be very deep and rich whereas others can appear rather washed out looking more like a sandy colour. The eye colour ranges from nearly black to light brown/green or hazel. The Min Pin has a short, hard coat which is quite thin, shiny and smooth to the touch. In general, Min Pins have an athletic build but some can be appear more fined-boned than others although they are not ‘delicate’ even if they appear so. The life span of a healthy Min Pin is between 12-15 years but some individuals could exceed that number as genetics and lifestyle play a role. They move quickly when they walk and always look alert to everything that’s going on around them, whether they hear a loud noise outside or you’ve just got up from your sofa! They can be very reactive to any stimulus. Min Pins should stand at 25-30 cm at the shoulder and can weigh anything between 3.5 kg to 7 kg, depending on where in the world they were bred. However, these are just general figures as genes vary greatly and individuals may be taller or heavier. Our Mikki is a Min Pin from European lines and is larger than the average Min Pin you will see. We’ve always been fascinated by just how different Min Pins seem to appear physically depending on which part of the world their lines hail from e.g. aside from being big for his breed, Mikki comes from Spain and he looks different from the Min Pins you’ll see in the UK. Even within countries of origin Min Pins can differ physically because breeders import dogs from foreign lineages to strengthen their own all the time. With the many Min Pins we have met over the years and the tens of thousands of photographic and video references we have seen of different Min Pins, we have become pretty good at recognising what part of the world a Min Pin may have been bred-call it our expert eye! However, the UK and Australia and other parts of the globe have always worked with US stock in their breeding programs throughout the decades and so their breed standards are similar and the dogs appear to share the very same physical characteristics. Below are a list of current breed standards set forth by the clubs from different parts of the world. A breed standard is an agreed upon set of phyiscal traits that make up a dog’s conformation for the breed it belongs to. Breed standards may also include certain personality attributes that specimens of each breed should possess to be considered the best example of that breed. Within the show/conformation ring, points are accumulated or deducted according to a judge’s opinion on how close a particular dog is to the standard.

UK Kennel Club (KC)

American Kennel Club (AKC)

Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI)

Australian National Kennel Council LTD

New Zealand Kennel Club

Canadian Kennel Club (CKC)

Min Pin Colour Chart🐾

Black and tan. Being the most popular two-tone colour it is also the one that people most associate with the Min Pin. The tan points range from a light sandy to a dark, rich mahogany colour (called ‘rust’ in the US).

Referred to solid or clear red. The other most popular colour that varies greatly in terms of shades from a washed-out light sandy colour to a rich dark red. Sometimes the nose can be red-pink which is called a self-coloured nose.

Stag red. This is a red dog coming in the same variety of shades however the tips of the hairs are black, giving the dog a ‘ticked’ appearance. Even a few black hair tips mean the dog is genetically a stag red. In the US, stag red also comes in variations called chocolate, fawn and blue. These three colours are dilutes and are not permitted show ring colours.

Blue and tan. A blue-grey colour with the same tan to rust points. The nose is also the same colour, sometimes a bit darker.

Chocolate and tan is a medium brown with the colour ranging from dark to lighter brown with the same tan to rust points. The nose is a light brown/beige-pinkish colour.

Fawn/Isabella and tan. Looks a very light blue to beige colour that shines in the light, giving the coat a satin look. The nose is often the same colour as the fur but sometimes a similar shade to that of a blue and tan. Same tan to rust points. Fawn is not a permitted show ring colour and is not recognised anywhere but the US.

Lastly, the harlequin/merle. This unique colour is rarely seen outside of the US and is not a recognised (and therefore not permitted in the show ring) colour by any of the official clubs, since the 1980’s. The patterning that ranges from blue to black can show up in any of the Min Pin’s colours but is often seen in a blue or fawn colouring. The nose is often black but can be a lighter black, grey, blue depending on the base coat colour, with the same tan to rust points.

Miniature Pinscher Breed Family Tree🐾

The German Pinscher. This is the largest of the known breeds used in the development of the Min Pin, weighing up to 20kg as per the breed standard. It is usually only seen in black and tan and shades of red but the recognised colours also include blue and tan and fawn. Pictured are both cropped/docked and natural examples and like the Min Pin, these procedures are now not mandatory. Due to it’s larger size, a German Pinscher’s ears will never stand up by themselves.

The highly recognisable Dachshund is another of the influential breeds used in the development of the Min Pin, known for it’s characteristically short legs. The Dachshund’s very wide variety of coat colours and dilutes and tan points is responsible for the same in the Min Pin as well as it’s small size.

The breed where the Min Pin shares the majority of features with both in physical appearance and in personality is perhaps the Italian Greyhound. The slim, long-limbed, athletic physique and nervous, sensitive disposition characteristic of the breed is also present to some degree in all Min Pins.

“what’s that?!”..Mikki as a youngster being a curious Min Pin-true to his breed

Above shows our Mikki in the easily recognisable Min Pin stance at 5 months and 3 years old. This way of standing is unique to breed; they appear alert to their surroundings, fearless, self-possessed and ready to charge!

The Fearless Min Pin Stance🐾

The Min Pin is well-known for the high-stepping ‘hackney gait’ which is a particular movement of the front limbs rising high in the air when they walk-resembling the Hackney Pony (see photos). This makes them look like they are almost prancing along when they walk, an attribute that had been perpetuated by breeders early on in the breed’s inception over in the US and as breeders in the UK have used the same lines to develop their dogs, the trait is seen over here too in show rings and is considered a highly desirable attribute. In Europe, however, this attribute is not as exaggerated because it was never bred for and is even said to be a fault in some countries. The hackney gait can be found in varying degrees of prominence in Min Pins and we even Mikki display the trait from time to time. We’d say Mikki is a typical example of a Min Pin from European lines. Despite the variation in appearance, providing they are purebred dogs, it should always be obvious that you are looking at a Min Pin no matter where they’re from. Sometimes, however, even the Min Pin crosses and mixes will appear very Min Pin-like, even down to their high-stepping walk.

Natural Or Cut Ears And Tails?🐾

Within the conformation ring, the Min Pin has traditionally sported ‘cropped’ ears and a ‘docked’ tail, meaning that these body parts are cut to achieve a particular look. A number of other breeds large and small unrelated to the Min Pin have undergone these practices throughout time. Most of these breeds were created for the purposes of hunting originally and doctoring these body parts was for safety reasons while the dogs were on their jobs. For the Min Pin like many breeds, it used to be a breed standard requirement for them to undergo these procedures, however, in recent years in many countries, the practice has been frowned upon and seen as an unnecessary mutilation and been made illegal, therefore, the breed standards have been updated to allow both the doctored and the natural look to compete in the ring. Where it is still practiced, ear cropping should be done at 12-14 weeks weeks and docking a little earlier. Now there are many Min Pins that reach adulthood with floppy ears but there are many more that have their ears stand up on their own during adolescence and our Mikki is one of them. Same with tails. Naturally a Min Pin’s tail curls over the dog’s back but there are a few that have less of a curl, just like there are some that are longer and thinner. The body parts, like most breeds, will differ in proportion as well.

Credit: janedogs.com

Min Pins displaying the hackney gait; a show dog (above); Mikki (below). Notice how it is more exaggerated in the show dog which has been bred for this trait, than it is in Mikki

Min Pin Mixes And Crosses🐾

Min Pins are one of the many small breeds that are crossed with others to make so-called ‘designer breeds’. To a person novel to the breed, it may be easy to mistake a Min Pin cross for a purebred one, partly because Min Pins seem to have dominant genes which result in crosses having much of their physical characteristics as you can see from the photos. The facial masks tend to be misplaced or stretch across the dog’s face more. If you find a Min Pin which has white or other coloured patches not stated in the breed standards on its fur, it is likely that there has been some crossing somewhere in it’s lines. You’ll notice how the dog’s coat has a unique mixture of colours rather than the standard solid or two-tone colour of a purebred Min Pin although you can see in the photos (far below) that the chocolate colouration has been passed down. Min Pin crosses are really beautiful in their own way and definitely one of the cutest crosses around-in our opinion! Notice how this little guy has that elegant way of standing and his cheeky Min Pin-like personality shining through?

Credit: dailymail.co.uk

We’ve seen many Min Pin crosses on our walks out and about with Mikki. Amongst them we’ve seen Miniature Poodle, Jack Russell, Chihuahua and Brussels Griffon crosses. All beautiful and unique in their own way!

Credit: citydogsrescuedc.org (first) bearmountaindogrescue.org (second)

The Personality🐾

How does a breed become well-known in the English-speaking world as the King Of Toys? Because the Min Pin has a strong personality. He is the ultimate little-big dog. He is outgoing, friendly, very playful, active and has bags of nervous energy. An excitable, dominant little dog always wanting to be the centre of everyone’s attention and yes, even with strangers. But Min Pins are also extremely affectionate and always want to know where their owners are and be involved in what they’re doing, with most becoming very attached to their owners. They are also a highly sensitive breed, becoming soppy and sulky if you get in a temper because they’ve done something they shouldn’t have (that can happen often!). Those are some of the more generic Min Pin personality attributes. Individual dogs will have more or less of the common traits just like any other breed. We always say our Mikki is like a Min Pin on steroids-all attributes good and bad seem to be augmented in him. He is rather anxious and very attached to us so much so that he’s suffered with bad separation anxiety, which can be a problem in the breed with insufficient training in puppyhood. Min Pins are very playful and will remain so well into their later years, even Mikki at his age of 5 and a half hasn’t yet mellowed much! In our experience we’ve always found Min Pins are sociable and love to be around other dogs and people. They can be a little overbearing with other dogs e.g. Mikki loves to boldly run up to other dogs, immediately initiate play and run rings around them, which can be a nightmare for nervous dogs or aloof independent breeds. We have observed this behaviour in many other Min Pins too. Min Pins tend to want everything their own way and can be brattish if they’re wishes are not conceded to. Min Pins are very clever and although they are responsive to their owners, they can have a short attention span and be very stubborn. This can make training difficult if not started with a firm hand when the dog is a puppy. Although the Min Pin is a little toy breed, raising him is no easy task and will require a lot of patience and time. But they will repay you in spades with all the love and good things that a dog can possibly give it’s owners.

The Min Pin As A Pet🐾

Here is a handy guide on what every potential Min Pin owner needs to know from the experts at Heathside. We ensure that everything on the breed is covered from a detailed description of our first-hand experiences of owning the breed and what you need to be prepared for in owning one.

Is The Min Pin Right For Me And My Lifestyle?🐾

Being of the toy variety, Min Pins are a small companion dog which means they love nothing more than being around their owners as much as they can. You’ve probably heard the term ‘Velcro dog’, usually to describe breeds that become very attached to their owners, following you around, always wanting your attention and to know where you are constantly. This means they will not thrive if left alone all day like some more independent breeds. In a dog’s ideal world, we’d all work from home so they could be with us almost all of the time but unfortunately, this isn’t the case and owners are often out for 10 hours a day. So if you live alone or have nobody at home during the day and your work day is very long, ideally you should have time in your work schedule to come home and see your Min Pin, take them out for a walk and be with them. If that’s not possible, then consider having a trusted neighbour, a friend or dog-sitter to come and visit. There is also the option of day care.

Despite being a toy breed Min Pins are not a lapdog, however, they do appreciate cuddles with their owner when they have finished expending their energy for the day. What they are is highly active, jittery little things and will not sit still unless it suits them or they need a rest. They also aren’t the most keen on being picked up and held on the whole, leading them to wriggle out of your arms but picking them up from puppyhood and getting them used to it can help greatly. Min Pins can also get bored very easily, leading them to get agitated which can contribute to possible separation anxiety. They are active and love keeping busy. If you are someone who is active as well and loves long walks or hikes, the Min Pin is the ideal small dog to do it with. They absolutely love being outdoors for hours all day, having a seemingly boundless amount of energy. Min Pins are not a talkative breed on the whole unless they are sounding the alarm if somebody is at the door so they are ideal if you live with neighbours on every side. Any kind of toys are a Min Pin’s best friend so have plenty available especially when you have to leave them alone. Bored dogs equal destructive dogs so you want to ensure that if your Min Pin isn’t crate-trained for when you are out, that they have either had plenty of stimulation to expend some of their mental energy or have access to toys e.g. Kongs or toys you can fill with treats are great to keep them entertained while you’re out. Despite needing plenty of play and mental stimulation (more than just physical exercise), Min Pins are suited to apartment life given their small size and they’re able to adapt well to any home environment so long as owners can cater for their high energy needs and have time every day to give them some attention. They can make great family pets and they can be a lot of fun for older children over the age of 7. Care should be taken around younger children. This is because children can be a little rough and boisterous with animals, bearing in mind the Min Pin can have a small, slight frame and can get hurt from rough handling. Of course it does depend on the individual dog and the family’s handling of the dog. This is why it is wise to learn as much as you can about the breed before you decide to get one, perhaps visit dog events where you can meet the breeds in the flesh and prepare your family as much as possible, particularly if you have young children. All that being said, Min Pins will love the attention children can give them!

Min Pins absolutely love company so maybe consider getting two if you don’t already have another dog. Even though they love being around other dogs, they will always assume the role of the little boss! Min Pins do not have a strong prey drive as terriers do and aren’t particularly untrustworthy around cats, however, careful introductions to existing pets are always a must. Min Pins are not a high maintenance breed in terms of health and general care so they will not cost a lot to own. They are generally a very healthy pedigree dog compared to some others and are not likely to succumb to genetic illnesses as easily as some breeds so the premium on pet insurance won’t be especially high. Being a toy breed, on the whole they don’t eat a lot and they don’t have any particular dietary requirements. See Caring For The Miniature Pinscher for more.

Min Pin Breed Profile For Owners🐾

Suitability To First-Time Dog Owners 6/10

Min Pins can be easygoing however they can be difficult for first-time owners because of their defiant attitude and their desire to want to do what they want, when they want. Couple this with their high intelligence and they can be a little handful for someone who has never had a dog before. As well as this, it’s common that first-time owners do not prioritise training throughout puppyhood in general which is a huge mistake with this breed. As long as the prospective owner knows what to expect and undertakes the proper training, the Min Pin won’t be difficult to own for a novice.

Suitability To Family Life With Or Without Young Children 10/10

Min Pins bond very closely with their family and love so much to be included in a family unit, no matter the size of it. We would go as far as to say they thrive within the family unit. But young children must be taught to treat the dog gently and with respect. The ideal Min Pin family will have older children over the age of 7.

Suitability To Apartment/Flat Life 7/10

Size-wise Min Pins obviously don’t take up much space but they do have a lot of energy. Providing they have an outlet for their energy through long walks and play, they can adapt well to an apartment or flat however if they don’t, they won’t be calm and may become vocal which can become a problem if you are in an accommodation with neighbours on all sides.

Suitability To Being Left Alone 3/10

Because they are emotionally dependent on their owners, Min Pins can suffer from separation anxiety if they are not properly trained to be confident when left by themselves in puppyhood. Even if they are, Min Pins still do not do as well by themselves as other breeds who are generally more independent. Of course the severity of co-dependence on their owners is down to the individual dog.

Suitability As A Watchdog 9/10

Min Pins will bark when someone knocks on the door and sometimes if they see someone walk past the house. This behaviour is likely a throwback to their terrier roots which is also responsible for the Min Pin’s feisty natures.

Potential To Escape And Wonder 7/10

Naturally very curious, some Min Pins can take this to the extreme and become escape artists. It’s important to always ensure your garden is secure and that when outside off-lead, your Min Pin is always within your sight.

Trainability 6/10

Min Pins have a tendency to turn a deaf ear to commands especially when they are in an excited state and more generally can be very stubborn. Because of this they aren’t on the list of most trainable breeds. On the other hand they are also highly responsive and sensitive to their owners voice and needs. We believe that with the correct approach and plenty of patience Min Pins can excel at training.

Energy Level 10/10

The Min Pin is definitely a lot of energy in a small package. They generally are always wanting to move around even at home. Giving them stimulating toys to keep them occupied is important when you are busy doing things.

Exercise Needs 8/10

This is a very active breed needing around an hour of exercise in walks every day. They will appreciate being able to run off-lead as well.

General Health 9/10

Min Pins are generally a healthy pedigree dog in the sense that the probability of developing diseases is lower than some other popular breeds like those which are overbred. However like all pedigrees they can suffer from some inherited diseases.

Amount Of Shedding 5/10

A short, thin coat means that the Min Pin doesn’t shed too much or certainly no more than other short-coated breeds. In the Spring and Autumn when the temperature and light levels change, we advise that you keep a more regular grooming schedule.

Suitability To Cold Weather 5/10

Given their short coat and naturally slim bodies with little fat (providing they aren’t overweight) Min Pins just about tolerate the cold and will shiver a lot. It’s best to keep them warm with a decent dog sweater when your out on walks in cold weather.

Suitability To Hot Weather 7/10

We have mixed experiences with Min Pins and hot weather. They can tolerate it fairly well but can overheat themselves if they are being excitable and exercising outdoors when it’s above 25 degrees. Mikki will sometimes have to stop and lie down in high temperatures and has been known to run for the shade on sunny days.

Mental Stimulation needs 10/10

The Min Pin definitely is hardwired to keep busy throughout their waking hours day preferring this to lounging around being sedentary.

Dog-Friendly 8/10

Min Pins love being around other dogs and playing with them. However there are caveats. They are prone to being dominant with other dogs with some appearing to have small dog syndrome which includes a cluster of behaviours with posturing and snapping not uncommon. If these behaviours are not well-received by some dogs trouble can arise, leading some Min Pins to develop aggression towards other dogs. This is why they absolutely must be properly socialised with other dogs until they reach maturity at a year old. Regular exposure and contact with other dogs throughout a Min Pin’s life is important as well to keep them socialised.

Cat-Friendly 6/10

It’s important that careful socialisation and positive cat experiences are built up during puppyhood. If not, then there’s every chance that cats can be met with hostility. Some adult Min Pins can have a Terrier-like prey drive and enjoy chasing cats and being aggressive towards them so it can be touch and go. Otherwise a well cat-socialised Min Pin will treat cats with friendliness and curiosity.

Stranger-Friendly 9/10

Most Min Pins are friendly with strangers and will greet them with gusto. Some individual dogs may be a bit anxious in unfamiliar settings and won’t fully approach strangers for a petting but they will still show friendliness e.g. a wagging tail. Min Pins love human attention and some will go out of their way to seek it.

Affectionate 9/10

This breed is one of the most highly affectionate breeds with their owners and other people in general. They seek to be involved with what their owners are doing if they are allowed to. They absolutely will love petting and cuddling up with their owners although they are not ‘lap dogs’ meaning that they won’t necessarily lie still with you for ages. They aren’t keen on being picked up either and will tend to struggle if they are held for too long.

Vocal 4/10

This breed doesn’t have a tendency to bark. When they do bark it’s always because something has set off their anxiety.

Intelligence 8/10

Even though the Min Pin is not a working breed (these dogs have been selectively bred to use their brain for certain jobs) they are fairly high in intelligence, certainly more so than other companion breeds. This means that they are able to pick things up easily and learn quickly.

Stubbornness 9/10

Although a hindrance to their trainability, the Min Pin’s stubborn nature is not something that cannot be navigated. But plenty of patience is needed to own this breed.

Playfulness 10/10

This is an extremely playful breed. The Min Pin loves play whether it’s with their owners, other dogs or by themselves. Always provide a large assortment of toys for him to enjoy.

“Our Min Pin Whiz was (and still is!) good at sounding the alarm when friends and family come by to visit. His home is his domain and he makes sure everyone knows that. Min Pins really are great watchdogs. However Whiz quickly becomes everyone’s friend and will start persuading them to play-he has his ways of doing this. He’ll literally run around in circles and stand on the spot on his hind legs to get someone’s attention. For me this is typical of Min Pin behaviour and unique because I haven’t seen it in any of the other breeds I’ve owned. They can get on with any breed and often interactions are charged in a good way. Providing dogs are well-socialised there’s lots of playing and the Min Pin is happy to curl up next to their doggy friend when their energy is spent. But I’d say that Min Pins share something special when two of them get together-they just understand one another’s craziness! If you’re brave I’d definitely recommend getting two.”

Lee, Min Pin enthusiast

The Many Shades Of The Miniature Pinscher🐾

Here we’ve put together a collection of Min Pins for the visitor to peruse. We’ve sourced out some beautiful photos of dogs with the help of those who own them and allowed us to have them published on this page. A big thank you to these Min Pin owners! These beautiful dogs hail from different parts of the world including UK, USA, Australia, Europe, Ukraine, Russia and Asia, so you’ll be able to see just how much variation there is in appearance. You can see them in their various coat colours and shades. Click on the images to see them full size and the credits below the images to see their social media accounts. We’ll leave you to enjoy this beautiful breed.