The Miniature Pinscher comes from Germany and was originally used as a ratter – a rat hunting dog. It is believed they were made by crossbreeding a German Pinscher, an Italian Greyhound, and a Dachshund. The Mini Pin or a Min Pin, as it is called, is a smart and loyal dog. They love to work and be active with their favorite people. However, if you’re looking for a dog who loves to cuddle, the Miniature Pinscher is not the breed for you. They can also be barky, they are very energetic, and they have a high prey drive. 

Size

As the name suggests, the Mini Pin is a small dog. They belong to a toy group of dog breeds. And they should, because their height is up to 12.5 inches (31 cm). The standard eight is from 8 to 10 pounds (3.5 to 4.5 kg). These measures are standard for the breed and are the same for male and female dogs. Of course, you can find a bigger or smaller Mini Pin. 

Color

The Miniature Pinscher has 6 standard coat colors. These are:

• Black & tan
• Black & rust
• Red
• Stag red
• Chocolate & tan
• Chocolate & rust 

The “stag red” is the red color mixed with black hair. There are also white markings and a self-colored nose, but these are not standard for the breed.

Social Traits

The most important facts about owning a Miniature Pinscher are:

• They need constant socialization from an early age to keep their prey drive under control (but it’s not 100% effective); most of them will still want to chase small animals.
• They get along well with other dogs if you socialize them properly; otherwise, their boldness could cause some problems. Remember, they are toy dogs, very small.
• They love to dig
• They are often barky; they will notify you if there’s someone outside or if there is something suspicious – great watchdogs.
• While they are very loyal and excellent family dogs, they are not recommended for families with very small children. The Mini Pins are small and not overly patient dogs, which can lead to some issues.
• They have boundaries, and people often compare them to cats when it comes to showing affection;

If you are still interested, then it’s important to know:

• The Mini Pin will be your best friend, following you, and waiting for you to come back home so that you can do things together, preferably sniff and explore the outside
• They are small, but very brave; they don’t care about the size of the other dogs, so keep them on a leash or close to you, even if they have good socialization.
• You will fall in love with them, and you’ll want to have more Mini Pins very soon.

Trainability

Training a dog depends on various factors. From their original purpose, DNA, habits, individual traits, to your relationship with the dog from the beginning. As I mentioned when talking about Chihuahuas, small dogs need obedience training as well! And, the sooner you start, the better the results.

The Miniature Pinscher is a smart dog. The key is to reward them with fun things to do. This is especially important if the dog is not food motivated. You’ll need to provide a favorite toy or a walk to the park as a reward.

So, when it comes to the Mini Pin:

• Start obedience training early, as soon as they come to your home
• Keep it short and keep it fun
• Be patient
• Be consistent
• Don’t think just because your dog is small, they don’t need “a time out” when they do something wrong.
• You might not be able to get rid of their prey drive, and you shouldn’t… but you can try some ways to channel it

Trainability: 3 out of 5 (high prey drive, recall can be a problem)

Activity Needs

The Miniature Pinscher is an active little dog, but they don’t need a lot of daily physical activity. Better yet, the activities don’t have to be too long. And, they shouldn’t because they are small dogs after all. According to the Royal Kennel Club, they need up to 30 minutes of daily activities. But, I’d like to add that, apart from their 30 minutes of physical activity, they need an equal amount of mental activity, as well. That means they need something to do apart from a literal walk to the park. There are numerous indoor games you can add to your daily routine to make your Mini Pin even happier. One of the best games for a dog breed like Miniature Pinscher is to hide the treat under the blanket or a box and let them find it and get it.

Around 30 minutes plus mental stimulation (games, hide the treat, find the toy, etc.)

Feeding

Generally speaking, an adult Miniature Pinscher needs up to 1 cup of kibble food a day. This amount should be divided into two meals – half of a cup in the morning and the other half in the evening. 

You can also feed your dog other types of diets, such as homemade food, cooked, canned, and so on. If you are in doubt, the best option is to ask a vet. Why is this the best option? A vet will examine your dog and recommend the best diet based on your dog’s health, breed, size, age, and activity levels.

Up to 1 cup of kibble a day

Grooming

The Miniature Pinscher is easy to groom. They have a short and smooth coat, which means all you need is a hound glove or a bristle brush. They shed normally, so regular (weekly) brushing is recommended to keep the hair from getting everywhere. Don’t forget that brushing is also a great way to bond even more with your dog and to check if there are any changes. During brushing, you can check the dog’s ears, nose, and whole body.

The Mini Pins need an occasional bath and regular nail trimming. When it comes to baths, your dog will need one when he gets dirty. Because they love to dig, this could happen quite often.

Possible Problems

This is, generally speaking, a healthy dog breed. However, like any other living being, they can develop some health issues. The most common for the Mini Pin are:

• Patellar luxation
• Epilepsy
• Cervical (dry) disc
• Heart problems
• Eye problems 

Life expectancy: over 12 years

Summary

The Miniature Pincher is a lively, bold, and brave little dog. They are also very loyal, but they are not very affectionate. Or in other words, they are affectionate in their own ways. Sitting next to you, following you, doing things with you, but cuddling…not so much. At least, that’s usually the case. You might come across a very cuddly Min Pin. On the other hand, Mini Pins will certainly love to dig and chase small animals – their prey drive is quite high. They also need proper socialization from an early age and obedience training. All in all, they are lively dogs, and you will never have a boring day with them.

Read Next: Chihuahua Traits – Breeds 101

Cover Photo by Dorena Beckendorf