Miniature pinscher (miniature pinscher): characteristics of the mini breed

Appearance of a miniature pinscher

General impression

The appearance of the miniature must strictly correspond to the description set out in the international standard.
Despite this, slight deviations in the appearance and character of dogs are allowed in different countries. Animals from England, the USA and Canada are distinguished by more graceful movements, and the pupils of Israeli nurseries are distinguished by their confident gait and sweeping stride. Scandinavian miniature pinschers are characterized by a calm and balanced character, and natives from Germany are easy to spot by their stocky and muscular body.

At first glance at the photo of the miniature pinscher, the resemblance to the Doberman is obvious. At the same time, Dobermans have nothing to do with the origin of the miniatures and were bred much later than their little brothers.

Head

Miniature Pinschers are distinguished by their proportional, wedge-shaped head with a distinct stop. The length of the muzzle is slightly shorter than the strong and elongated skull. According to the approved standard, the dog has:

• high-set semi-erect or erect triangular ears;
• brown or black almond-shaped eyes;
• straight bridge of the nose and black lobe with well-developed nostrils;
• dry black lips, tightly fitting to powerful jaws with a scissor bite.

Dogs with cropped ears are only allowed to participate in shows in countries that do not have a law prohibiting cropping. At the same time, docking is not a disadvantage of the breed.

Light eyes, folds on the forehead and low-set ears are unacceptable in the miniature's exterior.

Neck

The head is set on a graceful but strong neck with a noble curve and a smooth transition to the withers. The presence of a suspension is not allowed.

Torso

Purebred dogs have a toned, square-shaped body. The wide, oval-shaped chest protrudes forward expressively, and the sloping back gives compactness to the entire body. Despite possible intrabreed differences, excessive elegance or heaviness are considered a defect.

Forelegs

The forelimbs have a moderately wide set, pronounced angulations, muscular forearms, wrists and pasterns. The elbow joints should not be turned outward or inward.

Hind limbs

The length of the powerful hind limbs exceeds the front ones. The muscles on the wide hips are clearly visible. The paws have a “cat” shape. All fingers are gathered into a ball, and strong claws are painted black.

Tail

The standard allows not only docking of the ears, but also the tail within 1.5-2 cm. The crescent and saber shapes are considered the most advantageous. Animals with such tails receive more points from the judges.

Movement

In the video with miniature pinschers, an energetic and confident gait is clearly visible. The dogs move at a sweeping trot, without slumping their backs.

The prancing step is considered a vice and is not recognized by the FCI, but the English, Canadian and American kennel clubs have a completely opposite opinion on this.

Wool

Miniature Pinschers do not have an undercoat, so the entire body is covered with short and smooth guard hair. Bald patches or curly hairs are unacceptable and are a consequence of crossbreeding with other breeds.

Color

The standard colors of the Miniature Pinscher approved by the FCI include black and tan and fawn. Americans and Canadians have more acceptable options: blue, chocolate and even pinkish-cream with tan, often found in thoroughbred horses.

Marking is acceptable on the chest, lower neck, base of the tail, inner thigh, base of the paws and wrists, and above the eyes.

Size

Gender is easy to identify from a photo. The weight and height of females does not exceed 4 kg and 28 cm. The maximum figures for males can reach up to 5 kg and 30 cm.

The height of the miniature pinscher and the weight of the miniature pinscher allow them to be classified as a small breed, but they are by no means lap dogs. Rather, they can be classified as companions with excellent service qualities.

Character of the miniature pinscher

Life on the street is not about the miniature pinscher. This pocket Doberman cannot do without warmth and comfort, so it is recommended to keep it in an apartment or your own home. In winter, you cannot go outside without protective overalls, since the missing undercoat prevents heat retention. The dog is vulnerable not only to low temperatures, but also to drafts, so its place should be in a well-protected place.

The dominant nature of the Miniature Pinscher can be a real problem when walking. If you walk your pet without a leash, he will definitely try to get into trouble. The feeling of fear is unfamiliar to him, so the dog can enter into a fight with a larger opponent. At the same time, you cannot call him reckless. In unequal conditions, the miniature pinscher acts only to protect the owner.

A puppy cannot do without socialization. If a baby grows up surrounded by other animals from childhood, then he is able to make friends even with cats. Under no circumstances is friendship with birds and rodents possible. If kept together with a miniature, they can die from its sharp teeth.

The playful and emotional pet loves to be the center of attention and gets along well with children. You should not leave your dog only with preschool children. If the culture of careful treatment of animals has not yet been instilled, the child may suffer. The Miniature Pinscher will not tolerate unpleasant actions from its small owner.

Miniatures have an innate desire to manipulate. Lack of training in childhood will affect the adult dog, so try to prove that you have the last word in the house.

Interesting facts from the life of miniature pinscher dogs

It is believed that miniature pinschers inherited their small body size from terriers brought from England to Germany 300 years ago. English terriers are famous for their hunting inclinations; in ancient times they were used to exterminate rodents. They were excellent watchmen, warning their owners about uninvited guests.

Miniature Pinscher on a walk

The same hunting instincts are preserved in mini pinschers. Although they have not been used for hunting rats for a long time, purebred baby dogs have not lost their natural habits. A dog living in the countryside can easily free its owner’s garden from rats, moles, and voles.

The modern Pinscher dog does not look like a terrier at all; its exterior is more reminiscent of the physique of a Doberman Pinscher. Many believe that it was Doberman Pinschers who were involved in the breeding of these pinschers and call them dwarf Dobermans. But in fact, it’s the other way around; K. F. Dobermann bred a large dog similar to the miniature pinschers he adored later than the miniature pinschers appeared.

Miniatures are everyone's favorite. These dogs have a special contact with active people. American actor M. Rourke was the owner of Min Pin Locky for a long time, until the death of the animal. The dog shared with the owner all the vicissitudes of his busy life, ate hamburgers with him, so he was fat, suffered from obesity and, as they say, tried alcoholic drinks.

For your information! Selection work with dogs belonging to the Pinscher group has led to the fact that there are now several similar breeds in the world: German, Austrian, dwarf, Affenpinscher. Fraudsters may offer to purchase Japanese Pinscher puppies; this breed of dog does not exist.

Mickey Rourke with his pet

Education and training

When training and raising a miniature pinscher, patience is required. The cunning pet quickly notices the owner’s weaknesses and skillfully plays on them. Don't allow yourself any slack. If there is a ban on sleeping in the master's bed, then it cannot be violated from the very beginning. Otherwise, you will have to frantically figure out how to wean an adult pet from jumping on sofas and beds.

More detailed education begins at 3-4 months. The high intelligence inherent in the breed contributes to the successful performance of exercises even at such a young age. Show authority to gain your dog's respect. More complete information about the nuances of training can be obtained from a dog handler.

The kennel club tells in detail how to raise an obedient pet with a stable psyche. The best reviews are received by joint classes with a pet on an individual basis, where all attention is focused on the formation of an unbreakable bond between man and dog.

Never use force during training. Cruelty to animals undermines trust, fostering cowardice and aggression. Destructive behavior risks taking out anger on other animals, strangers, and even family members.

With little experience with dogs, it is not entirely clear how to train a pet to use a litter box. Owners are not always ready to go outside in winter, so miniature dogs can be taught to go to the toilet at home. Once accustomed to the diaper, place it in the tray, showing the puppy a new place to relieve itself. Wait until your pet starts to worry and put him in the tray. After a successful operation, be sure to praise the puppy and reward him with a treat.

Sometimes several training sessions are required. The main thing here is not to scold your pet when it makes a mistake. Frightened, the puppy will receive a persistent negative reaction and will avoid the tray with all possible forces.

The first walks on the street begin after six months, when the puppy has received all the necessary vaccinations. It is very easy to toilet train outdoors, as the miniature pinscher quickly adopts the habits of other animals.

A trained pet must know the basic commands from the OKD and UGS course. If you want to master more difficult disciplines, but doubt whether it is possible to train a dog in agility, feel free to start your first lessons. In sports disciplines, miniature pinschers demonstrate amazing speed and agility in overcoming the highest objects.

History of the origin of the Zwergpinscher breed

Dwarf spaniel (mini cocker): description of the breed

The breed began in the southwestern lands of Germany in the second half of the 19th century. The selection of animals was carried out by people seeking to turn watchmen and hunters into domestic pocket and lap dogs living on the master's sofas. The first standard for Miniature Pinscher was developed after the German Pinscher Club was created in 1895.

Before the outbreak of World War I, the new breed was also known in the United States, although until 1928, Zwergpinscher representatives were very rarely seen at American dog shows. The breeding of the American subspecies of the breed began to be actively pursued after the American Miniature Pinscher Club was created in 1929.

Note! The AKC breed description states that the Mini Pinscher should look like a miniature Doberman Pinscher.

Doberman and Miniature Pinscher

Miniature Pinscher Health and Diseases

Possible diseases

Some diseases occur most often in miniatures. These include:

1. Perthes disease. It appears in puppies at the age of 4-6 months and leads to atrophy of muscle joints and lameness.
2. Hypothyroidism. In a sick pet, hormonal metabolism is disrupted, which is fraught with obesity, hair loss, pyoderma and other possible complications.
3. Progressive retinal atrophy. This disease causes gradual loss of vision. In the worst case, the animal may go blind.
4. Epilepsy. The dog experiences periodic seizures, accompanied by loss of consciousness and uncontrollable behavior. The treatment method is determined by the severity and duration of the seizures that occur.
5. Dislocation of the kneecap. Congenital pathology can be detected immediately after birth, so be sure to ask for an X-ray of the puppy’s limbs before purchasing. Acquired dislocations are caused by injuries.

The breed is characterized by a high life expectancy and strong immunity. It is important for your pet's health to follow the vaccination schedule. Although the annual administration of the vaccine does not guarantee 100% immunity, it significantly facilitates the possible course of the disease. As additional preventative measures, do not forget about treatment against worms and ticks. The fight against helminths should be carried out every quarter, and against fleas and ticks - during the seasons of their activity.

Reproductive health

The first heat occurs at 8-12 months. Despite this, only adults over 20-24 months are allowed to breed. Unlike most breeds, the female is ready for pregnancy earlier than the male is ready to mate. Males are untied only after 2 years. The physiological maturity of pets is determined by the third heat, when the body is strong enough to bear new offspring. Most often, birth occurs 60-64 days after mating.

Owners who prefer to avoid the hassle of breeding puppies are advised to take their dog for sterilization at 6-12 months. The sooner the operation is performed, the greater the chance of preventing the development of breast cancer. If the heat has already begun, then you should wait until it ends and visit the veterinarian.

Features of feeding and diet

Dogs over 1 year old are fed 2 times a day at certain times. You can choose dry food or regular food as your main diet. In order to understand what food to feed your pet, analyze its age and health status.

Puppies are fed high-calorie food designed for animals younger than 12 months, older dogs with bad teeth are fed food with soft granules, animals with pathologies of the genitourinary system are fed food with a low protein content.

Consult your veterinarian regarding serving size. He will explain how many times to feed your pet, based on its weight and the set goal (weight gain, loss or maintenance).

When choosing what food to buy for your dog, pay attention to its purpose. Miniature dogs are suitable for brands designed specifically for small breeds. The required norms are already calculated on the packaging, helping to calculate daily portions.

When feeding naturally, try to ensure that meat makes up at least 40% of the diet. Beef and horse meat are suitable for adult dogs, and chicken for puppies. In addition to animal protein, a dog needs:

• vegetables (pumpkin, zucchini, carrots, beets);
• cereals (oatmeal, buckwheat, millet);
• fermented milk products (yogurt, yogurt, kefir).

Several times a week, meat can be replaced with sea fish and chicken or quail eggs. As a treat, offer fruits and rye crackers - an effective remedy for the prevention of tartar.

One-month-old puppies are fed formula milk, and switch to other calcium-rich foods no earlier than 2 months. Expand your diet gradually to understand whether specific foods can be given without harm to health.

Dogs have a maximum appetite in winter, when more calories are required to heat the body. These days, the usual portions can be increased. Additionally, monitor your pet's weight to rule out sudden weight gain and obesity.

Care and maintenance

The miniature pinscher is not suitable for keeping in an enclosure. An active dog will require a large area in a country house or frequent walks in the city. Walk your pet at least 3 times a day and try to give him the opportunity to roam freely. Too little activity can lead to destructive behavior.

While walking, protect your pet from frost, precipitation and wind. In addition to overalls, buy special shoes that protect your paws from aggressive reagents.

Miniatures shed very little, which makes grooming easier. Combing is done with a soft bristle brush once a week. For shine, wipe the wool with a damp sponge or genuine leather cloth. More global washing is carried out no more than 2 times a year.

In addition to grooming, don't forget about trimming nails, cleaning ears and teeth. To maintain ear posture, massage the auricle daily, moving from the base of the ear cartilage to the very tip of the ear.

The rules for caring for and maintaining a miniature pinscher are simple: activity, care and good feeding. Even a novice dog breeder can handle this without difficulty.

Pros and cons of the breed

The breed has many advantages:

• Miniature pinschers are in good health and do not have hereditary diseases;
• They are convenient to keep in small apartments; the size of the dogs’ bodies allows them to allocate any corner of the house;
• dogs will never refuse long walks, because they are very hardy, so owners who lead an active lifestyle can always take them with them on a long journey;
• The short hair of dogs practically does not shed, does not stink, and caring for it is very easy. This animal can be kept by people who are allergic to dog hair;
• Miniatures will always defend any family member, especially children, and are very loyal to their owner;
• dogs are easy to train and quickly become accustomed to obedience;
• Dogs trained to litter trays do not need to be taken out for walks in slush and rain.

But there are also disadvantages:

• the cockiness and hyperactivity of the miniature dog while walking can lead to an attack on him by large dogs. In a fight between animals, not only the pet, but also its owner can suffer;
• the guarding instinct, coupled with a distrustful attitude towards strangers, can lead to the fact that guests who come to the house will be barked at at best, bitten at worst;
• dogs, in whom the instincts of rat catchers awaken, can dig up both a flower bed and a vegetable bed in a very short time;
• Miniature pinschers obey only when correct and long-term educational work has been carried out with them. Without training and explanatory conversations, followed by rewards or gentle punishments, they will play mischief, show self-will, try to dominate the family and manipulate people.

Miniature Pinscher puppies from the same litter

Tips for choosing a puppy

There are many Russian nurseries that breed miniature pinscher puppies, so you can choose one that is closer to home. To breed the breed, they use not only the breeding class, but also show class representatives who perform at international exhibitions. If you want to raise a future star, then check out the animal’s pedigree. The presence of high-profile titles increases the chances of a successful career for the growing offspring.

Before visiting the kennel, call and find out the age of the puppies for sale. Such consultation will help clarify the seller's responsibility. Up to 2 months, puppies should be close to their mother, since early weaning is fraught with a decrease in immunity and possible mental disorders. The older the puppy, the higher the price, since the final cost consists of all expenses associated with maintenance.

When you first meet, evaluate the situation in the nursery. The room should be clean and spacious. Examine the appearance of the mother and the puppies themselves. All dogs should have a smooth and shiny coat. The presence of receding hairline and bald spots may be the result of parasite infection or a dermatological disease.

If you are confused and don’t know how to choose only one pet and not take them all, start with activity. A playful and good-natured baby, ready to communicate with a stranger, is easier to train. It will be more difficult with more modest and inactive puppies, but they can also be raised into beautiful dogs if you put in the effort.

How to choose a miniature pinscher puppy

You should not buy show puppies without first comparing the animals offered for sale. You need to visit several nurseries that have positive reviews about their reputation and choose the best option.

The integrity of the breeder will be an additional guarantee that the selected puppy will not only have a pedigree and registration in the Russian Canine Federation (RKF), but also good health, confirmed by veterinarians, and the breed standard indicators necessary for the animal.

By choosing a pet advertised by people who have litters from non-show parents, you can save money and buy a cute puppy, which, like a purebred baby, will become a family member, a friend to children, and a companion to adults. But there will be no guarantees that in the future the growing miniature pinscher will not have problems with physical and psychological health.

In any case, when choosing a pet, you need to examine it, check how it reacts to the toy, how it moves. There is no need to buy a baby whose legs will tangle, his belly will sag, or his mouth will not have the required number of teeth (according to age).

Although baby miniature pinschers can be naughty and wayward, they will never betray their owners or leave them without their protection. Therefore, it is desirable that people never leave their pets without care and love.

How much does a miniature pinscher cost?

The average price of a miniature pinscher offered by Russian nurseries ranges from 10 to 30 thousand rubles. Private sales through free bulletin boards, where the seller indicates a price below 10 thousand, are conditioned by the absence of a pedigree or the presence of a breeding marriage.

If the purpose of purchasing a miniature dog is related to further breeding of the breed, then choose breed-class puppies. The maximum price is set for show-class animals - future winners of international competitions, and the minimum price is for pet-class dogs with small but acceptable deviations in appearance.