Miniature Pinscher

A Miniature Pinscher can really spice up a person's life. This dog is small, but don't tell him--he doesn't know it. He's quick and active, with a lively curiosity, and feels he's quite important. He thoughtfully looks out for his family, bravely challenging intruders with his bold, insistent bark.

The Min Pin will be happiest with a family that treats him like a standard-sized dog. He may be stubborn, but he's also smart.

Germany is the Min Pin's country of origin. With his black and rust coloring, cropped ears, and docked tail, he does resemble his cousin the Doberman Pinscher. But he is not a miniature Dobie. Pinscher in German just means " terrier."

His short, glossy coat requires minimal care. Colors are red, stag red (red with black hairs), black with rust markings, or chocolate with tan.

Excerpts from the Standard

General Appearance: A sturdy, compact, smooth-coated dog, proud and alert, spirited and fearless.

Size, Proportion, and Substance: Height--10 to 121/2 inches at the withers.

Fun Facts

A distinctive feature of the Miniature Pinscher is his gait, or the way he moves. He is supposed to move with a "hackney-like action," similar to Hackney ponies. This is a high-stepping movement with a definite bend at the wrist when the foot comes up. Watch him when he moves!

Excerpted from The Complete Dog Book For Kids © 1996, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.