German Pinscher Dog Breed

Although taken on primarily as companion animals by most people and as a show dog by a fair number too, there are those folks who still adopt German Pinschers as guard dogs, watchdogs and even for their historical role as versatile farm dogs whose above-mentioned duties as well as being a ratter. These dogs are small but they may be difficult to maintain in households with very small children and if there are other pets, canine-and otherwise. They can be okay for people seeking a first dog, but they are best for experienced dog people who have patience, space, and plenty of patience.

If you want to learn some German Pinscher facts, below is a list of what's good and bad about German Pinschers.

There is no denying that when it comes to the dogs 101 German Pinscher edition, these are dogs with a lot of great qualities for the right person and roles. They are remarkable dogs whose compact size, dynamite energy, and many talents make them a dog worth the responsibility of raising them properly. You would do very well to get as much information about this breed before adopting one of these dogs.

These are vastly intelligent dogs who are equally demanding. They require a lot of mental stimulation to remain on top of their game, and they demand respect. They will love challenging games and puzzles, and they will never not be trying to outfox you for fun and food!

Eye contact from strangers will prompt them to make known their position and territory, and they will not respond well if that line is crossed. Their loyalty to you will prompt them to protect you, and you should be ready to let them know when they should not cross that line — or the rare instance when they should.

If you don't lead a very active lifestyle, a German Pinscher may not be the right dog for you. These dogs need no less a daily active routine than they must be kept sharp otherwise. Be ready for long daily walks, jogs, hikes, and playtime.

These are very small dogs that look like miniatures of the Doberman Pinscher. They are closely related to the Schnauzer even though they don't look like that breed. They are remarkably sturdy dogs whose tenacity is practically visible in their physique and, when properly cared for, are sharp-looking dogs.

Beginning with the head, which is like a wedge that will cut through most situations, the mouth is a scissor-type bite and the almond-shaped eyes are situated to give the best field of view. German Pinscher are either natural and fold forward (when not pricked up at attention) or short, sharp, and triangular from having been cropped. (These days, many countries have outlawed ear-cropping, however, so it is rare to find dogs with this man-made condition.) The strong neck leads to a muscular yet lithe body atop relatively long legs. Don't be fooled by the seemingly skinny legs and small paws, as these dogs have great power for their size. Unlike the ears, it remains popular to dock the tail, but there remain plenty of these Min Pins whose tails are not mutilated. The dew claws are often removed so as to prevent those boneless little bits from getting injured later in life.

The coat is short and shiny, and the hairs are fine.

These days, there are no proper formal variations of the German Pinscher — but that was not always the case. There are those that have been resurrected and are marketed as rare breeds, but they are not breed from uninterrupted bloodlines, and if you plan on acquiring such a dog, you would do well to do your due diligence of the breeder, the dog, and all that.

As all these dogs are short-haired, there are no other lengths in this breed. As such, there is really no German Shorthaired Pinscher. If you hear a german Pinscher called a Zwergpinscher Standard, then you should note that this is merely German for Miniature Pinscher — or Min Pin — which is simply another name for this breed.

Some people consider the coat color as a variety, and in that regard, there is a section elsewhere on this page devoted to to colors and combinations. One was the solid black German Pinscher, and the other is mentioned below: the salt-and-pepper-colored Silberpinsch. Prior to that and in the late 19th century, there was even a Harlequin coat color!

Until the early part of the 20th century, there were a great many varietals of this breed. The Second World War, which was responsible for a vast loss of dogs and no small number of breeds, was the when these varieties were lost. It was after WW2 when the Standard Pinscher was used to bolster the breed' great losses. These variations were the Schweizer Pinscher and the Seidenpinscher. The Schweitzer was also known as the Jonataler Pinscher, the Pfisterlinge, the Silberpinsch, the Swiss Salt and Pepper Pinscher, and the Swiss Shorthair Pinscher. The Seidenpinscher didn't have as many nicknames, but it did have a couple: the German Silky Pinscher and Silky Pinscher.

As the breed's name implies, the German Pinscher is a dog that can be fierce. Like any great guard dog, these dogs are easy to train and difficult to "undo" once trained. They tend to have one master to which they listen always and closely and will always seek to please, and they are extremely loyal. Another characteristic is that they are also highly territorial, so you should be sure to socialize them with other dogs as well as keep a close eye on them when around other animals, canine and otherwise.

The German Pinscher personality is typically independent-minded, and they must always be firmly reminded of their place in the pack — and that means if you fail to maintain your status as master, this dog will do as she pleases. This doesn't mean to be harsh with them, however, as they are sensitive to such measures.

German Pinschers are a very healthy breed, but they are not bereft of health concerns. The German Pinscher Club of America, having conducted extensive studies of the breed's health profile, maintains that hereditary cataracts are these dog's biggest problem. You should be not adopt a Pinscher puppy (or rescue adult, if that is the case) without having a current AVCO-approved exam and to make sure the dog's eyes have a certification by the OFA-ECR.

Cataracts are not the only concern, of course. Here are the health problems that can affect German Pinschers:

• Hip dysplasia
• Elbow dysplasia
• Cardiac disease
• Thyroid disorder
• von Willebrand disease
• Immune deficiency problems

This breed's average life expectancy is around 12 to 14 years.