HEY! IS THAT A MINIATURE DOBERMAN? By Kim Byrd (A version of this article appeared in the October 2013 edition of SHOWSIGHT.)
F or those of us who live and play with Miniature Pinschers, our first inclination is to holler a great big emphatic “No!”—but we don’t. We gently smile and say, “No, this is a Miniature Pinscher. He is a totally different breed from the Doberman.” Now, let me explain why. History tells us the Miniature Pin - scher breed originated in the far away country of Germany. The breed first appears in a 17th century painting showing a picture of a cat-sized dog resembling the Miniature Pinscher of today. The Miniature Pinscher is, in fact, an older breed than the Dober - man Pinscher, which doesn’t come into play until the late 1800s. The breed was developed in Germany and agreement among dog historians tells us the Miniature Pinscher breed comes from genetic crosses of the Ger - man Pinscher, the Dachshund, and the Italian Greyhound. From these ances - tors, the Min Pin (as we lovingly call him) gets his feistiness, fearlessness, and his playful speed and grace. By the 19th century, the Reh Pinscher, as he was called in Germany, was devel - oped. The feisty and quick little dogs
moves, be it leaf or critter in his yard. The Min Pin is a great dog for small homes and apartments, although he requires exercise to keep his energy level down—or long walks in the park work just as well. They are protective and will loudly announce company, either good or bad. Until the company has been thor - oughly inspected, sniffed, bumped with a quick hop, sniffed again, and barked at again, only then are visi - tors allowed to stay. The greatest gift you can give your dog is the gift of socialization. Take him everywhere as a puppy. Let him hear cars, horns, trucks, banging pans, and loud nois - es... and let him smell his environ - ment. Have every stranger you meet, touch him and pet him. Be sure to hold him off the ground so that he is not in - timidated. He has to know the world won’t hurt him and that he really is the toughest kid on the block. You’ll be doing very little grooming to keep him tidy; a good brushing to re - move loose hair and a bath on occasion. Be aware he does not like to be cold, and some will bury themselves under the blanket even in the warmest weather.
were used as vermin hunters (rats, mice, moles and such creatures). Their size, 10 to 12-1/2 inches, and speed enabled them to get close to the home threats and keep the pests from eating food and destroying man’s home. The Miniature Pinscher is a square- proportioned, well-balanced little dog with a level topline. He has a hackney-like gait, with head and tail held high. The Miniature Pinscher Club of America and the American Kennel Club have accepted the colors Red, Stag Red, Black and Rust, Black and Tan, and Chocolate and Rust, in a short, straight, and lustrous coat. Miniature Pinschers are versatile and can adapt to just about any situ- ation you put them in. They are small enough to be a portable companion that is able to be a part of your life, no matter what you do. For short, we call him the Min Pin, but in reality, he is the King of Toys. He is fearless, feisty, quick to run after the ball or rabbit. He can be trained to sit quietly in a travel crate, walk politely on the leash, and cuddle with children and friends. Then with a smart bark and a jump, he is off to investigate anything that
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