When you hear the words “miniature pinscher,” many people think of a small dog. However, not everyone knows what good security qualities it contains. This is a very loyal, cheerful and active dog, gets along well with children. Having chosen a miniature pinscher, you can be sure that this dog has all the makings of an aristocrat. She will become a faithful companion for many years.
Description of the Miniature Pinscher breed
Popularity 89th place among 263 dog breeds
Lifespan:
13-15 years old
Height:
25-30 cm
Country of origin:
Germany
Average price:
15-25 thousand rubles
Weight:
4-6 kg
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Advantages and disadvantages
- Pros:
- hardy and unpretentious in nutrition;
- high protective instinct;
- suitable for keeping in small apartments;
- weak shedding;
- loves children;
- developed intelligence and high learning ability.
- Minuses:
- jealous character that makes it difficult to get along with other pets;
- the need for daily physical activity;
- tendency to damage furniture and shoes;
- does not tolerate frost well;
- Difficulty in training due to dominant nature.
Advantages and disadvantages of Pinchers
The main advantages of this breed include:
- sufficiently high intelligence, thanks to which the dog is easy to train;
- devotion to the owner;
- this dog is an excellent hunter of small rodents;
- the ability to use Pinchers as guards and hunters;
- mental stability.
But this dog can show aggression towards “strangers” - other dogs or strangers, this can be attributed to the minor shortcomings of Pinschers.
Key facts
The description of the miniature pinscher breed says that the shortened name came from Germany, which is considered the country of origin of the miniature pinscher. The word "zverg" is often found in the original fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm. For example, the famous Rumplestiltskin is the same “miniscent”, that is, a dwarf. In this regard, other names for the breed include dwarf or miniature pinscher.
The dimensions of the miniature pinscher are 4-6 kg in weight and 25-30 cm in height. Females should be smaller than males. The lifespan of a miniature pinscher is at least 13 years. If the basic rules of care are followed and there are no congenital diseases, pets live for about 15 years.
The characteristics of the miniature pinscher breed include not only a description of external data, but also character traits. You also need to get to know them before getting a dog.
Life with a playful and life-loving miniature is full of adventures. An endless charge of energy always flows over the edge, so the dog gets along well with children and teenagers. She is ready to support any crazy ideas of her owners or encourage them to take an adventure. The mini pinscher is not at all embarrassed by his size, so he is not averse to competing with a larger opponent or trying to seize power in your home. Timely education will help to cope with dominant behavior, strengthening the authority of the owner in the dog’s head.
Standard parameters and variety
The weight of such a baby ranges from 4 to 6 kilograms, and the height at the withers is 25-30 centimeters. In this case, the four-legged friend should have a black and tan or red color with short hair.
The appearance of the Miniature Pinscher is very similar to the Doberman breed, with the possible exception of the difference in size. Therefore, according to the criterion, they are more similar to Yorkies or Toy Terriers.
It is sometimes easier to see a photo of a miniature pinscher on the Internet, since it is less common in real life. This breed has gained enormous popularity in America.
History of the origin of the miniature pinscher
Short-haired German pinschers, known in European countries back in the Middle Ages, took part in the formation of the breed. The first written mention of a miniature dog dates back to the 15th century, and Germany is recognized as the country of origin of the breed. To obtain more modest dimensions, breeders crossed standard pinschers with Italian greyhounds and dachshunds. As a result of the experiment, it was possible to achieve a decrease in height at the withers by 10 cm, and by the middle of the 20th century - by as much as 20 cm.
The first standard for the new breed was developed in 1880, but it was not until 1955 that the FCI established it internationally. The Miniature Pinscher is the smallest representative of the Pinschers and Schnauzers group.
Heredity and genetics
At the stage of choosing a puppy, it is better to ask what hereditary and genetic diseases certain breeds are prone to. Learn about the history of miniature pinschers.
Be sure to find out from the puppy’s breeder about the health of the parents, and about the presence of possible pathologies in their family.
Most often, problems with genetic diseases arise in breeds obtained by crossing closely related dogs. In the race to improve the conformation of breeds, breeders continue to select. Genetic diseases appear that cannot be cured.
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.
Owner reviews
Miniature pinschers are a breed that is very popular among domestic dog breeders. Since the fur of these animals is not long and smooth, they do not tolerate real cold well. To keep your pet healthy, you will have to purchase special clothes for walking if the weather is too cold.
This miniature dog requires increased attention and affection. If the owner is not able to devote a lot of time to the pet, then the dog will suffer. Therefore, the breed is absolutely not suitable for those who cannot become a real owner for it, who is sufficiently attentive and loving to animals.
It is important to know! From a very early age, the miniature pinscher becomes strongly attached to the owner and members of his family, while being wary of all strangers, as well as strangers, perhaps even the owner’s friends.
The animal is not large in size and has obvious signs of intelligence, so it easily masters all commands. Pinschers always get along with children, as well as with other animals.
Particular attention should be paid to the fact that the miniature pinscher is prone to quickly gaining extra pounds. In this case, you need to think about ensuring that the dog has a balanced diet. It is very important that the feeding regime is followed and the animal does not eat more food than it needs.
According to many, since miniature pinschers are not distinguished by their impressive size, they are suitable exclusively as an ornamental animal. In fact, this is a strong and hardy animal, with fairly good health. This unpretentious animal can withstand any extreme conditions, except for being kept on the street.
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.
Nutrition
The issue of feeding the pinscher is extremely important. If an animal receives few microelements and nutrients, it becomes weak. To prevent your pet from getting fat and not facing the problem of impaired metabolism, we advise you to organize fractional balanced meals for him.
40% of your miniature pinscher puppy's should consist of animal products, especially milk and raw meat. Additional products he needs for growth and development are cereals, fruits, berries and vegetables. Sample menu:
| Meal number | Food/drinks |
| 1 | Raw meat (rabbit, turkey, chicken), water |
| 2 | Vegetable soup, water |
| 3 | Milk, raw meat |
| 4 | Fruits, vegetables or porridge, water |
The dog is switched to dry food when it turns 1 year old. It is recommended to feed him twice a day, 150-200 grams. Never give him sweets or smoked foods.
Miniature Pinscher Health and Diseases
Possible diseases
Some diseases occur most often in miniatures. These include:
- Perthes disease. It appears in puppies at the age of 4-6 months and leads to atrophy of muscle joints and lameness.
- Hypothyroidism. In a sick pet, hormonal metabolism is disrupted, which is fraught with obesity, hair loss, pyoderma and other possible complications.
- Progressive retinal atrophy. This disease causes gradual loss of vision. In the worst case, the animal may go blind.
- 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.
- 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.
Training and education
The miniature pinscher (a photo of miniature dogs of this breed is presented above) is easy to train, but training must begin from childhood, because adult dogs are difficult to train. Pinschers learn with enthusiasm, are ready to perform any task, but can become spoiled and know how to achieve what they want. For many owners, training becomes a real challenge, but it is possible to train a pet. An experienced, consistent and demanding person endowed with leadership qualities should work with the dog. Classes should be short. It is important to remember that all the Pinscher’s efforts in training are completely negated by a rude or aggressive attitude.
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.
Buy a miniature pinscher (miniature pinscher)
Miniature pinschers are considered the smallest service dogs, and they are energetic and always loyal to their owner. The breed is very popular, so purchasing a puppy of this breed will not be difficult.
It is important to decide why you need a dog. After all, it can be owned in order to participate in exhibition shows or carry out breeding work. You can simply have a pet at home, then you can buy a puppy with some flaws that do not in any way affect the behavior of the animal, and these flaws, except for a specialist, are unlikely to be seen by anyone. The most important thing here is to purchase a healthy animal, which can only be provided by nurseries that practice breeding dogs of this breed.
What to pay attention to
As a rule, you should always buy a puppy whose character has not yet formed, then you can easily raise the animal and teach it to obey its owner. Purchasing an adult dog can entail a number of serious problems, since miniature pinschers tend to be dominant. It is quite possible that they can offer an adult dog that has a number of behavioral problems, which at such an advanced age are almost impossible to correct if you do not have any skills. Therefore, purchasing a puppy is the best option.
Important to remember! It is best to purchase a puppy that is one month old. Weaned from their mother at this age, they quickly become attached to their owner.
When purchasing a puppy of this breed, you should inquire about the behavior of its parents in order to completely eliminate the manifestation of unmotivated aggression, both towards the owner and towards other family members or other animals. Any negative behavior, especially in the puppy's mother, should alert any buyer.
The behavior of the puppy itself should be characterized as active, although somewhat self-confident, but at the same time quite friendly towards humans. At the same time, he should be moderately curious and not timid. It is advisable to evaluate what kind of appetite the puppies have and what they eat from the breeder.
Not everyone is able to correctly assess the exterior of a small miniature pinscher. It is better to solve such a question together with a specialist dog handler or an experienced owner of this breed of dog.
If a person does not have experience, then first of all you should pay attention to the puppy’s eyes, which should have a dark shade and radiate purity. The coat should be smooth and shiny, without bald spots or whitish spots. The physique should be correct and symmetrical, with straight limbs. At the same time, you need to know that the eyes will become somewhat lighter over time, the whitish spots will not go away, and the paws will remain as crooked as they were.
Price of puppies
The cost of miniature pinscher puppies depends on a number of factors, which include the region, the class of the kennel, the class of puppies, their age, as well as color characteristics.
As a rule, show-class puppies whose parents are an elite couple are always accompanied by a full set of documents. Because of this, they are always sold at higher prices than animals with certain breed defects. As a rule, puppies that have a complete set of all documents cost at least $800. With a minimum number of documents, puppies are sold for a price of no less than $400.
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.
Mating
According to standards, a miniature pinscher female is allowed to breed no earlier than 15 months. Pregnancy lasts 63 days. No significant changes in behavior are observed. Repeated mating can occur after 1-1.5 years, when the mini pinscher girl gains strength, gets stronger and recovers. The last mating occurs at 8 years of age. Frequent childbirth exhausts the dog and significantly reduces life expectancy. During pregnancy, you need to take care of your dog as before, be sure to take walks and monitor its diet. This allows you to train the expectant mother before giving birth.
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 puppy and where to buy
Puppies should be selected from the same litter, and special attention should be paid to the behavior of the puppies - how active they are in playing with each other, as well as the attitude of their mother and their mother towards them.
Axiom: a healthy mother means healthy puppies.
When choosing a pet and a potential companion, a thorough examination of the teeth, paw joints is carried out, the bite is checked, the eyes are clean, and the ears must again be free of any discharge with an unpleasant odor. The coat should be smooth, without bald spots.
It is clear that ideally the choice of a puppy should be left to an expert who is well versed in the most subtle nuances of the breed - this is the only way to choose a healthy dog.
And you should buy a dog in a kennel from a trusted breeder or directly from the club.
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.
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