The Miniature Pinscher

If you love the sleek, muscled appearance of the Doberman Pinscher, but you don't fancy a big dog, you may need to consider a Miniature Pinscher . These dogs are very similar in appearance to Dobermans, but are nearly one hundred pounds lighter.

The Miniature Pinscher may look like a miniature Doberman, but these dogs are not really directly related. In fact, the Miniature Pinscher dog was developed long before the Doberman. The Miniature Pinscher was created by breeding the German Pinscher to a smaller breed.

The American Kennel Club classifies the Miniature Pinscher as a part of the Toy Group, but these dogs are not cute little lapdogs. The Miniature Pinscher was bred to be a tough, aggressive ratter. The Min Pin weighs in at 8 to 10 pounds and stands 10 to 12 inches high.

The Miniature Pinscher has a compact, muscular frame. Their intelligent eyes are so dark brown that they look black. The Min Pin's short coat can be red, stag red, black and rust, or chocolate and rust. This breed's tails are docked.

In addition, some people crop their Miniature Pinscher's ears, but this is not necessary. Most of these dogs develop pricked ears as they mature.

The Miniature Pinscher and People

The high energy Miniature Pinscher does well in apartment settings, as long as you are willing to go for a long walk once a day. Of course, the Min Pin also enjoys the freedom of a fenced yard. These dogs have an inclination to wander and they will search for ways to escape, so be sure your yard has a securely fenced exercise area.

If you live in an area with busy streets, your dog's escape could prove fatal, since the Miniature Pinscher is too small to be easily seen from a moving car.

Miniature Pinschers are very loyal dogs, and are deeply faithful to their owners, but that loyalty does not always extend to small children. This breed has a tendency to be nippy with babies and toddlers.

If you have family members with children who visit regularly, you may want to crate your dog while your guests are there to avoid problems. In addition, some of these dogs are quite highly strung and will become aggressive to adults, especially mail carriers and deliverymen.

While Miniature Pinschers are small, most of them are a bit obstinate and hard to control. Your Miniature Pinscher puppy should attend obedience classes and you should be careful to follow up on every command. These dogs like agility training and attending competitions gives them an opportunity to shine.

The Miniature Pinscher was bred to work and takes vermin seriously. If a mouse gets into your house, your dog will not rest until it is caught.

The Miniature Pinscher and Health

The Miniature Pinscher can have several serious health problems, such as heart conditions, thyroid conditions, and epilepsy. In addition, these dogs are prone to hip dysplasia, which is a rare thing in small breeds.

The Miniature Pinscher does not devour huge quantities of food, but they have a tendency to be a bit greedy. You may need to switch to a food that controls weight gain if you notice your sleek Miniature Pinscher is starting to resemble a blowfish with legs.

The Miniature Pinscher and Grooming

The Miniature Pinscher requires little grooming, but they do have problems with overgrown nails. Be sure to check your dog's nails frequently.

The Miniature Pinscher is not for everyone, but if you want a dog who is completely loyal to you, you may want to consider this breed.

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