The Miniature Pinscher’s distinctive high-stepping hackney gait, reminiscent of a hackney horse, communicates, “I’m proud, fearless, and in charge.” Unsurprisingly, admirers refer to this small breed boasting a “big dog” personality as the “King of Toys.”
The Miniature Pinscher historically rid vermin from farmers’ barns in its native Germany. Sturdy, compact, and smooth-coated, this breed stands 10 to 12.5 inches tall and weighs between 8 and 10 pounds. Often referred to as a Min Pin, it resembles a smaller version of the larger Doberman Pinscher, which measures 24 to 28 inches and weighs between 60 and 100 pounds. However, the two breeds are not related.
Today’s Min Pins likely have Dachshund and Italian Greyhound ancestry, with possible influence from the German Pinscher. As a member of the Toy Group, this breed is a favorite family protector and lively performance dog. “Min Pins appeal to those who admire the sleek, athletic form of Doberman Pinschers but prefer a toy-sized dog for their home or apartment,” says Shelley Erdman, Secretary of the Miniature Pinscher Club of America.
The early Miniature Pinscher dates back several centuries, possibly to the early 1600s, but the breed’s image appears in old paintings and artwork. Records mention the Reh Pinscher, the forerunner of the Miniature Pinscher. In 1936, Dr. H.G. Reichenbach, a German writer and authority on the breed, wrote that it was a cross between the Dachshund and the Italian Greyhound. Historians agree that the Mini Pin’s ancestors likely include the smaller German smooth-haired Pinschers, the Italian Greyhound, and the Smooth Dachshund. Reichenbach stated that the breed’s coloring was black or red and published a photo of the Reh Pinscher, which resembled a small red deer in the German Rhineland forest. This smooth-red dog belonged to the Terrier family and was bred as a purebred dog in Germany in 1870.
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“At the time, Terriers’ ability as ratters mattered more than their coat types,” says Jane Heuer, Historian of the Miniature Pinscher Club of America. The German word “pinscher” refers to a type of short-coated terrier, while “Pinscher” denotes the dog’s role in jumping on and fiercely biting its quarry or catching vermin on farms. “Curious and bold, the Reh Pinscher differentiated from Manchester Terriers and Affenpinschers.”
Dog shows began in Germany in 1863, with early records showing Reh Pinschers exhibiting in Switzerland in 1882 and the German Kennel Club registering Miniature Pinschers in 1883. The German Pinscher-Schnauzer Club was formed in 1895 to promote the distinct pinscher varieties, which included the rough-haired German Pinscher, the rough-haired dwarf Pinscher, the smooth-haired German Pinscher, the short-haired dwarf Pinscher, and the Miniature Pinscher.
At that time, Miniature Pinschers came in several sizes and colors. They favored chasing rats in stables and barns and settling indoors at night. From 1905 to 1914, the breed’s popularity rose in Germany. A special show for Reh Pinschers in Germany in 1900 featured 93 dogs of black with red markings. As a Toy breed, the dog’s popularity rose from 1900 to 1914. All-red dogs were favored, but other colors included chocolate-brown, blue with red markings, and dogs with a blush gray shade.
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The breed came to the U.S. in about 1919. The first dog registered with the AKC was a female black and rust known as Asta von Sandreuth under the breed name Pinscher (Toy), brought by Mrs. Seyschab from Pennsylvania from Germany. Additional Miniature Pinschers came to the U.S. from Germany. The U.S. recognized the Miniature Pinscher in 1925 as the Pinscher. In 1929, members organized the Miniature Pinscher Club of America. Mrs. Henrietta Proctor Donnell brought the red CH Konig Hanzelmannchen to the U.S. The dog won Best of Breed at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show four times in the 1930s.
“Miniature” was added to the breed’s name in 1972. The breed was originally a member of the AKC Terrier Group but moved to the Toy Group in 1930. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), which calls the breed the “Zwergpinscher,” recognized it in 1955 and placed it in the Pinscher and Schnauzer type group.
The Miniature Pinscher’s breed standard was formalized in 1935, revised in 1950 and 1958, and updated and approved in 1980. In 1941 only 24 Miniature Pinschers were in the U.S., but in the late fifties, the breed’s popularity climbed dramatically. In 1999, the number rose to 21,406.
David Woo ©American Kennel Club
Miniature Pinscher
The breed’s royal bearing, stout heart, and jaunty attitude wrapped up in a small package helped them earn the”King of Toys” nickname. Easy to train, alert, and possessive of their families, the Min Pin shows off its commanding presence when strangers come to the door.
Today, the Miniature Pinscher has a smooth, shiny coat in two shades of solid red, chocolate-and-rust or black-and-rust. “This breed has a mischievous, fun-loving side that people find charming,” Heuer says. “They love their people, are full of energy, and can keep you on your toes.”
Unlike most Toy breeds, which enjoy spending time on their owner’s lap, the Min Pin likes to be busy. “They’re agile and can easily get in and out of things like enclosures,” Heuer says. “They do things you’d never expect, such as leaping from the back of the couch to the back of a chair like a pet monkey.” Intelligent and easy to care for with its satiny, short coat and clean personal habits, the Min Pin is the ideal playmate and companion for family members of any age.
The post Miniature Pinscher History: From Vermin Catcher to the ‘King of Toys’ appeared first on American Kennel Club.
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The Miniature Pinscher historically rid vermin from farmers’ barns in its native Germany. Sturdy, compact, and smooth-coated, this breed stands 10 to 12.5 inches tall and weighs between 8 and 10 pounds. Often referred to as a Min Pin, it resembles a smaller version of the larger Doberman Pinscher, which measures 24 to 28 inches and weighs between 60 and 100 pounds. However, the two breeds are not related.
Today’s Min Pins likely have Dachshund and Italian Greyhound ancestry, with possible influence from the German Pinscher. As a member of the Toy Group, this breed is a favorite family protector and lively performance dog. “Min Pins appeal to those who admire the sleek, athletic form of Doberman Pinschers but prefer a toy-sized dog for their home or apartment,” says Shelley Erdman, Secretary of the Miniature Pinscher Club of America.
The Min Pin’s Past
The early Miniature Pinscher dates back several centuries, possibly to the early 1600s, but the breed’s image appears in old paintings and artwork. Records mention the Reh Pinscher, the forerunner of the Miniature Pinscher. In 1936, Dr. H.G. Reichenbach, a German writer and authority on the breed, wrote that it was a cross between the Dachshund and the Italian Greyhound. Historians agree that the Mini Pin’s ancestors likely include the smaller German smooth-haired Pinschers, the Italian Greyhound, and the Smooth Dachshund. Reichenbach stated that the breed’s coloring was black or red and published a photo of the Reh Pinscher, which resembled a small red deer in the German Rhineland forest. This smooth-red dog belonged to the Terrier family and was bred as a purebred dog in Germany in 1870.
VKarlov/Shutterstock
“At the time, Terriers’ ability as ratters mattered more than their coat types,” says Jane Heuer, Historian of the Miniature Pinscher Club of America. The German word “pinscher” refers to a type of short-coated terrier, while “Pinscher” denotes the dog’s role in jumping on and fiercely biting its quarry or catching vermin on farms. “Curious and bold, the Reh Pinscher differentiated from Manchester Terriers and Affenpinschers.”
Dog shows began in Germany in 1863, with early records showing Reh Pinschers exhibiting in Switzerland in 1882 and the German Kennel Club registering Miniature Pinschers in 1883. The German Pinscher-Schnauzer Club was formed in 1895 to promote the distinct pinscher varieties, which included the rough-haired German Pinscher, the rough-haired dwarf Pinscher, the smooth-haired German Pinscher, the short-haired dwarf Pinscher, and the Miniature Pinscher.
At that time, Miniature Pinschers came in several sizes and colors. They favored chasing rats in stables and barns and settling indoors at night. From 1905 to 1914, the breed’s popularity rose in Germany. A special show for Reh Pinschers in Germany in 1900 featured 93 dogs of black with red markings. As a Toy breed, the dog’s popularity rose from 1900 to 1914. All-red dogs were favored, but other colors included chocolate-brown, blue with red markings, and dogs with a blush gray shade.
Recognition in the United States
DragoNika/Shutterstock
The breed came to the U.S. in about 1919. The first dog registered with the AKC was a female black and rust known as Asta von Sandreuth under the breed name Pinscher (Toy), brought by Mrs. Seyschab from Pennsylvania from Germany. Additional Miniature Pinschers came to the U.S. from Germany. The U.S. recognized the Miniature Pinscher in 1925 as the Pinscher. In 1929, members organized the Miniature Pinscher Club of America. Mrs. Henrietta Proctor Donnell brought the red CH Konig Hanzelmannchen to the U.S. The dog won Best of Breed at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show four times in the 1930s.
“Miniature” was added to the breed’s name in 1972. The breed was originally a member of the AKC Terrier Group but moved to the Toy Group in 1930. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), which calls the breed the “Zwergpinscher,” recognized it in 1955 and placed it in the Pinscher and Schnauzer type group.
The Miniature Pinscher’s breed standard was formalized in 1935, revised in 1950 and 1958, and updated and approved in 1980. In 1941 only 24 Miniature Pinschers were in the U.S., but in the late fifties, the breed’s popularity climbed dramatically. In 1999, the number rose to 21,406.
A Majestic Presence Fit for a King
David Woo ©American Kennel Club
Miniature Pinscher
The breed’s royal bearing, stout heart, and jaunty attitude wrapped up in a small package helped them earn the”King of Toys” nickname. Easy to train, alert, and possessive of their families, the Min Pin shows off its commanding presence when strangers come to the door.
Today, the Miniature Pinscher has a smooth, shiny coat in two shades of solid red, chocolate-and-rust or black-and-rust. “This breed has a mischievous, fun-loving side that people find charming,” Heuer says. “They love their people, are full of energy, and can keep you on your toes.”
Unlike most Toy breeds, which enjoy spending time on their owner’s lap, the Min Pin likes to be busy. “They’re agile and can easily get in and out of things like enclosures,” Heuer says. “They do things you’d never expect, such as leaping from the back of the couch to the back of a chair like a pet monkey.” Intelligent and easy to care for with its satiny, short coat and clean personal habits, the Min Pin is the ideal playmate and companion for family members of any age.
The post Miniature Pinscher History: From Vermin Catcher to the ‘King of Toys’ appeared first on American Kennel Club.
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