Miniature Pinscher Pups Facts and Health Problems Information

If you love the look of a Doberman Pinscher, but don’t want a huge dog around, the Miniature Pinscher or “Mini Pin” is a great alternative.

Appearance
These dogs look a lot like the Doberman Pinschers, but are approximately 100 pounds less than their bigger cousins. They might look alike, but they are not actually related in any way. In fact, the Mini Pin came first!

The Miniature Pinscher was created by putting the German Pinscher with a smaller dog breed. Part of the Toy Group, the AKC puts their appropriate weight between 8 and 10 pounds. They are not, however, cute lap dogs like most in the Toy Group. The Miniature Pinscher was specifically developed to be a tough rat chaser. They stand 10 to 12 inches tall and have a muscular, compact frame.

The Mini Pin’s coat is short and can be red, stag red, black and rust or chocolate and rust. Their tags are docked and some people will also crop their ears unnecessarily.

Characteristics
The Miniature Pinscher does well in an apartment, but they will need a long walk daily. They will also enjoy a yard, but they have a tendency to look for ways to escape, so you will need to make sure he is securely fenced in. If you live by busy streets, keep an extra eye out since cars typically cannot see such a small animal.

Miniature Pinschers are very devoted to their owners, but not necessarily to small children. They have a tendency to nip babies and toddlers with irritation. If you have family members with children, you will need to crate the animal while they are visiting to avoid any problems. Sometimes, these dogs can become high-strung and aggressive towards other adults as well, even the proverbial mailman.

Mini Pins can be stubborn and tough to control. They need to attend puppy obedience classes to guide them in the right direction. They love agility training and competitions since they were bred to work and take tackling vermin quite seriously. If a mouse gets into your home, a Miniature Pinscher will work tirelessly until it is captured.

Health Problems and Grooming Information
Miniature Pinschers can have serious health problems, like epilepsy, thyroid problems, heart issues, hip dysplasia (rare in smaller dogs) and more. They can eat too much and have bloat and weight gain, so you will need to keep an eye on that.

They require little grooming, but you will need to check their nails and brush their coats regularly. These dogs are not for everyone, but they are loyal companions.

         

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