How to Select a Miniature Pinscher
A lot of personality is packed into this small dog. The miniature pinscher, a terrier breed originating in Germany, is energetic and brave with a mischievous sense of humor. This breed is not ideal for first-time dog owners, as it requires much attention and training.
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Things You'll Need
- Bark Control Collars W/videos
- Dental Kits (for Dogs)
- Dog Beds
- Dog Brushes
- Dog Collars
- Dog Dishes
- Dog Food
- Dog Leashes
- Dog Shampoo
- Dog Toys
- Nail Clippers For Dogs
Instructions
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Realize that miniature pinschers are not for everyone. This energetic dog is very willful, barks a lot and demands constant attention from its owner.
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Reconsider getting a miniature pinscher if you have small children in the house. This breed likes to play rough and may injure a small child. However, if properly socialized with older children, they should be fine.
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Note that miniature pinschers do well living indoors and are fine in small apartments or homes as long as they have a small play area.
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Rethink getting a miniature pinscher if you live in a very cold climate and will be keeping the dog outdoors. This breed is very sensitive to the cold.
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Look at a miniature pinscher's features when choosing yours. The dog is short in stature with a confident and lively expression. The eyes are dark and the body muscular and well-defined. The Pinscher's smooth, short coat is colored either red, red with black, black with rust or chocolate.
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Understand that miniature pinschers are prone to certain health conditions such as demodectic mange (a skin disease caused by a microscopic parasitic mite), epilepsy (seizures), patellar luxation (dislocation of the kneecap) and Legg's Perthes disease (hip joint arthritis).
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Check out potential breeders very carefully, being sure to ask if they are members of breed clubs, specialty clubs or obedience clubs. Affiliation with a club means you can check their references to make sure that they don't run a puppy mill and that they screen for health problems before they breed.
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Know that male miniature pinschers will grow to 10 to 12 inches and weigh between 8 and 10 lbs. Females will grow to 10 to 11 inches and weigh between 8 and 9 lbs.
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Realize that you'll probably pay between $300 and $1,500 for a purebred miniature pinscher.
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Expect a miniature pinscher to live more than 15 years.
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Tips & Warnings
This dog is very animated and loves to play.
This breed must not be spoiled or it will run your house.
Miniature pinschers love to chew and are prone to choking on smaller items.
Miniature pinschers may be aloof with strangers.
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Comments
View all 10 Comments-
Aug 30, 2006
I have had three Min Pins, all with very different personalities. Just as one tipster said, my female hates one of my sisters for no apparent reason. She also hates small children. A favorite hobby of hers being to run them down and bark furiously. My male however, loves everyone including children and complete strangers. He rarely barks, not like my female. My very first Min Pin, who is now deceased, was very aloof to the people outside of the family, but did enjoy the occasional "chase the kid on a skateboard". A couple of huge words of advice for new owners: Don't use potty pads! Get your dog to do his business outside from day one. Take him out frequently to go, and don't give him run of the house until he is older. Never let him off of the leash outside, this was how my first one died, chasing a car. They have very high prey drive, nothing excites them more than chasing things. One last thing, not good in the cold weather, these are not outdoor dog, especially at night or any other time that it gets cold. -
Aug 30, 2006
I have had three Min Pins, all with very different personalities. Just as one tipster said, my female hates one of my sisters for no apparent reason. She also hates small children. A favorite hobby of hers being to run them down and bark furiously. My male however, loves everyone including children and complete strangers. He rarely barks, not like my female. My very first Min Pin, who is now deceased, was very aloof to the people outside of the family, but did enjoy the occasional "chase the kid on a skateboard". A couple of huge words of advice for new owners: Don't use potty pads! Get your dog to do his business outside from day one. Take him out frequently to go, and don't give him run of the house until he is older. Never let him off of the leash outside, this was how my first one died, chasing a car. They have very high prey drive, nothing excites them more than chasing things. One last thing, not good in the cold weather, these are not outdoor dog, especially at night or any other time that it gets cold.
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Aug 08, 2006
People should do there research before buying a Miniature Pinscher (or any other dog for that matter). You need to let them know who is alpha right away. As for my little rug rat, he is almost 9. The last month or so he has been a very sick little dog. Now he seems to be on the mend, but he's lost a lot of weight. Around hear we have to spell the word cat and rice. You make a mistake and say cat out load and he gets in a frenzy. He has been the best little bud a person could ever own. He also lets me know when it is time to go to bed, but since he has been so sick, he now goes to bed early. Mine is not good with very small children. He's OK with older ones. He hates my niece and we don't know why.
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Aug 08, 2006
I've had 2 Miniature Pinschers for more than a year now. Both have very different attitudes, but both are very smart. When they were just 6 months old, both were able to warn me of a burglar and I was stupid not to listen to them. Good thing that the security guard was able to notice my 2 dogs' excessive barking and was able to catch the thief.
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Nov 22, 2005
If your Miniature Pinschers were not brought up with children, be very careful when walking them. Children love to run up to these dogs and the dogs may snap.
