Dog Breed of the Week: Miniature Pinscher
The Miniature Pinscher is a bold and courageous dog breed that is sometimes called the "King of the Toys." These little guys don't quite know their size, or perhaps they just don't care. The spunky Min Pin is also known for its entertaining and mischievous character. Contrary to what many believe, the Min Pin was not bred down from the Doberman Pinscher. In fact, Min Pins came first - and they seem to know it.
The proud owners of Miniature Pinschers can tell you how delightful it is to have this breed in your life, but that it also takes some work. This is not your garden-variety "frou-frou" dog, but an extremely active and robust dog that requires plenty of exercise, attention and training. However, if you decide the breed is right for you, you'll be glad you welcomed this lovable dog into your life. Are you devoted to the dynamic Min Pin? Tell us about your experience, and send in your favorite photos.
Photo © Ernst Moeksis on flickr
Comments
God… these are the most annoying dog that I’ve ever met, but from no fault of their own. Unfortunately Min Pins are forever banned from my surroundings due to the dumb owners who I constantly see owning these things.
Every min pin owners that I’ve encountered so far seem to have no idea how to raise a dog and my current neighbor is no exception. The first day I met my neighbor, he told me he had a Doberman. The next I discover that his Doberman is nothing but a misbehaved yapping miniature pincher… The guy didn’t even do the research to find out that it’s not a Doberman… He assured me that “he’s very friendly” I find that hard to believe when the min pin is barking rabidly through the fence like he was gonna bite my leg off.
The min pin continues to yap non stop almost 24/7 and every time I go take out the trash. The dog was so spoiled I took it upon myself to discipline THEIR DOG for them through their fence. The poor dog doesn’t even know how to sit…
I’d be lying if I said he was the only badly behaved min pin that I’ve ever met
MinPins are the best dogs! I had a black/tan one & now a red one. They do bark but it is all in the training. They are the most loving dogs you will ever meet!
I have a min pin that we rescued about 4 yrs ago. He was on death’s door when we found him. He is the sweetest most lovable dog ever. He is a rust colored one. He is not a yappy dog at all. He is so protective and loves to come up and curl next to me when I lay down. He does behave well and not at all mean or aggressive unless you come at me like you are going to attack me then he will try nipping at you but otherwise he is a wonderful dog.
I have two of the largest and most wonderful Min Pins ever. Our male is 27 pounds and not over weight just big, our female is 16 pounds. They are the first small dog that I’ve owned and not what I expected but they are truly part of the family. They are not easy dogs but bright children are never easy either
I adopted a rust colored min pin through a friend. It seems his friend, who found this stray skin and bones puppy wandering around in one of the Carolina states, brought her home to MO. to keep. Unfortunately, he soon had to find a new home for her because his roommate, with whom he was fighting, was taking his anger out on the pup. I have always loved Lhasas and Shih Tzus, My last Shih Tzu just died from old age. I was planning on getting another Shih Tzu or Lhasa, but this friend was in need of a home for the pup, NOW. So, I took her in and renamed her Bambi, because that is who she looks like. I wasn’t sure I could love her like I did my other dogs, but her face and eyes are so lovingly expressive and she is so sweet, wanting to cuddle a lot, that I quickly fell in love with her. She isn’t afraid to look me directly in the eyes, which I admire. She is energetic and smart. I am so grateful that I took a chance and adopted her.
I have had my rascally Min-Pin for eleven years and I love his energy and his barking. He always lets me know of visitors whether people or squirrels. He now has congestive heart failure and I will surely miss his antics and devotion. I took him to dog training classes when a pup because he believed he was the boss of me and he may still think that. I love to show off his training on his daily walks. What a gait.
These dogs look like they are fun dogs to have around. My dad wants to get me one, but my mom won’t let me have a dog in the house.
Ihave a super funny blk/tan mini…his name is King!! He provides me with love and free entertainment daily. While true their intelligence levels are high and obedience level low, it is truly all in the training. They are very smart but tend not to want to listen…EVERYTHING is on their terms if you let them. So the key is discipline, discipline, discipline…if you don’t have the time or energy this breed is not for you. I however am so glad I made the choice!!
I have have min-pin dogs or mixes of min-pin dogs, they are a very rambunctious breed and do need a lot of attention. The one I have now is truely a toy hog, he weighs about ten pounds and steels all the toys from my 55 pound shepherd. Very, very loving dogs though, this one follows me wherever I go … cute, cute!
We have six Mini Pins. Rescues and three puppies from one. I agree that they are a challenge. Especially in the housebreaking department. We get agrivated at the barking but they feel they are alerting us to everything that moves outside. They are very well behaved inside and of course have to have their blankets to cuddle under when they rest. We are fixing to retire and have talked about downsizing. We honestly cannot bear the thought of getting rid of any of our babies. Their devotion and love are unconditional and I will feel like a traitor to give them away.
we have a min-pin and i can tell you she never slows down except to sleep. first thing in morning she wakes up all excited for the new day and the last thing at night before getting under all the covers in the bed she runs around the living roon. At ten years old she has slowed down just a tiny bit, but she reminds me of the energizer bunny, i just love her to pieces !!
I resuced my min pin T-Rex after 9/11 in NYC. He was eight then. He had lost his home. This small dog ended up working to make the disabled, senior citizens, & Head Start kids smile. He worked with me for 6 years and is now retired at age 16. When he is awake he moves constantly so don’t think old age will slow them down much. He is such a joy to many in our community.
reply to cm: omg my pin pin does exacly the same curls up with me an nips at ppl he thinks are going to attack me!!!
Apollo and Isis are the two newest members of our family. I love their energy. Like someone stated early they wake up happy and go to bed happy. Apollo is so protective and loving. Isis just loves to cuddle up. We love them!!
my family got our mini pin about 2 years ago. he is the family baby. no one can ever touch my mom without him whining. he weights 30 pounds
This dog breed seems to be the most challenging of all I think. High exercise, barking, disobedient, wants to be boss – that makes for a lot of work.
I currently have 3 min pins; two of which are thirteen years old. The third I adopted three years ago when she was four, mine is the third (and final) home that she’s had. Allie, my adoptee had severe heartworm when I got her. I had her treated for that, now three years later she and one of my older min pins have heart disease. However, I have never had a more loving, dedicated dog in all the dogs I’ve owned. I’ve had to be careful because they are very protective, but I’ve never regretted the money or time I’ve spent to have this breed in my home.
my min pin is almost two years old. Hero is really like my baby he is so loyal and hates to even see me leave the room. they are hard to train but there unconditional love makes up for that.Hero is a mans man kinda dog with a soft heart. after a long day of playing with our husky all he want to do is cuddle. i dont think ill ever fet another kind of dog this breed as definitly stolen my heart