Pinscher means terrier, and despite being a member of the Toy dog group, the Miniature Pinscher is bold, fearless, busy and inquisitive. While devoted to their owners, they are not an easy-going lapdog. The Min Pin will alert you to anything they believe worthy of attention and will expect you to take action. A great watch dog for a quiet location but will probably find a hectic and busy home overstimulating and frustrating.

Country of Origin: Germany

Originally a working, ratting terrier type, the Miniature Pinscher was first officially recognised in Germany in 1895 and is the smallest of the three Pinscher breeds (the other two being the Dobermann to which the Min Pin is not actually related at all, and the German Pinscher).

Since its rise in popularity as a companion and show dog, the Min Pin has been refined somewhat from the original working roots. Now a lighter, more elegant dog, none of their feist or fire has been lost – these little dogs still believe they can take on the world and win!

Toy dogs, such as Miniature Pinschers, have a fast metabolism, meaning they burn energy at a high rate. But their small stomachs mean that they must eat little and often. Small-breed foods are specifically designed with appropriate levels of key nutrients and smaller kibble sizes to suit smaller mouths. This also encourages chewing and improves digestion. Discover more about how to offer your dog a balanced diet with our easy-to-follow guide.

A fit adult Min Pin will take as much dog exercise as you care to provide, but at least half an hour a day in needed along with plenty of mental stimulation is required to keep their active brain and bodies satisfied. Many enjoy the chance to rip and teat things so interactive toys made from old toilet roll centres with treats folded inside can keep them very happy. In cold and wet weather, the Minature Pinscher will appreciate a coat as they should carry little body fat, and their own coats are quite fine.

Health and Common Issues

Like many small dog breeds, they can suffer from kneecaps that may temporarily slip out of place (luxating patellas). Check with the Breed Club and the Kennel Club for the latest health testing information.

Space Requirements

As long as their quarters are warm and soft, the compact Miniature Pinscher doesn’t take up much space at all. Due to their on-the-go nature and predisposition toward alert barking, the Min Pin may not be best suited to a busy or frenetic household in a city, but a quieter household in country or suburbs with a moderate sized secure garden will meet their needs nicely.

Training Miniature Pinscher

The Miniature Pinscher is a bright, curious minded dog who will easily solve puzzles and enjoy training with the right motivation. They are likely to enjoy chasing games and teaching a strong recall cue, along with a ‘quiet’ and a ‘settle’ will keep them safe and pleasant to spend time with. Early socialisation with people and particularly small furry animals is advised, as his terrier nature can lead him into trouble otherwise.

Best Family Dog Breeds

The Miniature Pinscher is a little too small to be safe with young children who struggle to view tiny dogs as living animals and a wobble or stumble can cause serious accident. With older children in a relatively calm household the Miniature Pinscher will enjoy being a part of family activities. While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children, all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with each other and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.

Did You Know?

• The Minature Pinscher is not a Miniature Dobermann, in fact the Min Pin is more a Miniature of the German Pinscher, with the Dobermann being derived from several smaller breeds and increased in size!
• Celebrity owners of Min Pins include singer-songwriter Carrie Underwood, NSYNCs Joey Fatone, and Paris Hilton.