Want a dog like a Doberman but are wary of their size? You should get a Mini Pinscher! Their small size makes them ideal for apartment-living, but don’t be fooled. That little bundle will use their charm to become the dominant creature in your home. Nevertheless, having a Miniature Pinscher assures you of at least one cuddle session every day.
Miniature Pinscher Dogs, Your Next Cuddle Buddy
Personality
- Very active
- Watchful
- Affectionate
- Can quickly adapt
- Big attitude
- Vocal
Miniature Pinscher dogs may be small, but their character can occupy the entire room. They carry themselves like royalty even when they’re the smallest in the area. Due to this, training them could be a bit of a challenge. Make sure to start training your pet at an early age. It would also help to get them socialized regularly.
If you have older children, having one as a pet can be good. Their energy level matches those of older kids, but they might not be the best companions for little ones. They can get quite active, suddenly running around the room even with no provocation. On the other hand, expect them to snuggle with you when you’re sitting on the couch or trying to fall asleep. You can always expect them to be available for a little cuddle session once you get home from work.
When it counts, they can be relied on to be loyal to their family. They possess exceptional guard dog qualities. They watch people and even other animals like hawks and tend to bark a lot. If you don’t want noisy dogs around, you might have to look elsewhere.
They disregard their size and would run straight to danger. Miniature Pinscher dogs bark and chase at anything that moves so you might have to be wary of bringing them outdoors.
Size & Color
The Miniature Pinscher breed looks exactly like the Doberman except for its size. They are compact, sturdy and short-haired with docked tails. They come in red as well as black and tan or chocolate coats.
An adult Miniature Pinscher can grow up to 10-11.5 inches tall and 10 to 12.5 inches long. Males tend to be square-looking, meaning their length would more or less be the same as their height. Females, however, usually have longer bodies. They can way up to 8-11 lbs.
Health
Although Miniature Pinschers are hardy little dogs, they can also be prone to certain diseases. If you’re getting a puppy, make sure you go to a reputable breeder that can present you with clearance certificates. Any dog with hereditary illnesses should not be bred.
Miniature Pinschers may develop diseases like diabetes, congenital deafness as well as eye problems such as progressive retinal atrophy. They are also prone to hypothyroidism and epilepsy.
Other health problems that you need to be wary of include:
- Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
Toy breeds are prone to problems involving the hip joint. Legg-Calve-Perthes happen when there’s limited blood supply to the femur making it hard to walk. Dogs with this diseases usually limp at 4-6 months old. Surgery can correct this.
- Patellar Luxation
This disease, which usually affects the toy group, causes pain in the hind legs because of a dislocated knee joint. In the extreme, Miniature Pinschers with Patellar Luxation may end up crippled with pain.
- Mucopolysaccharidosis VI (MPS VI)
When dermatan sulfate, which is a complicated molecule, builds up in some regions of the body, problems occur. Some symptoms include stunted growth, heart valve damage as well as clouding of the eyes. This genetic disorder should not be passed on.
Life Span
With proper care, diet and exercise, a Miniature Pinscher can live up to 10-14 years. Make sure you bring your dog to the vet if you ever see symptoms of certain diseases.
Food & Diet
— Miniature Pinscher (@minpinslovers) June 14, 2012
Since Miniature Pinschers are small, you only need to feed them 1/2 to 1 cup of quality dog food a day, divided into two meals. Since they’re very active, exercise won’t be a huge problem. However, it would still be advisable to bring your pet for a week daily, especially if you live in an apartment. Fresh air and a little play time in the park would help with both their health and socialization skills.
Grooming Requirements
- Brush coat every few days
- Bathe as necessary
- Check ears every few weeks
- Brush teeth weekly
- Trim nails monthly
Since they have short coats, you won’t have to worry about grooming Miniature Pinschers. Just brush their coat every few days to keep it shiny and healthy. Bathing doesn’t need to be constant as well, only when needed. You can also rub them down with a warm, wet cloth every few weeks to keep the shine in their coat.
History
Miniature Pinscher dogs were originally bred in Germany to look for rats in sewers and small spaces. Years later, the breed became popular in Scandinavian countries. They entered the American Kennel Club in 1925 as a Terrier because of its experience with ratting. Miniature Pinscher received its name in 1972.
It is now the 68th most popular dog in the AKC.
Fun Fact
Although they look exactly like Dobermans, Miniature Pinschers are not their mini versions. The breed reportedly descended from a Dachshund, a German Pinscher, a Manchester Terrier and an Italian Greyhound to create the feisty little dog.
Get to know more information about the Miniature Pinscher breed with this video.
They may be small, but they’ll still find time to cuddle with you when you get home from work, However, if you don’t like excessive barking and high energy in dogs, then the Miniature Pinscher might not be the best breed for you.
Do you think a Miniature Pinscher would be a great pet for you? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
