As the name implies, the Miniature Pinscher is a fun sized version of the powerful Doberman. Because of this, the breed borrows many of the strong-willed qualities of its larger cousin, which could be a deal breaker for anyone seeking a cuddly lapdog.
These dogs are usually recommended for experienced handlers, because they can be bossy, aggressive, and dominating in the wrong hands. However, the Mini Pinscher can still be a small family dog with a huge personality as long as sensibility and obedience is given necessary attention.
Miniature Pinscher History
Miniature Pinschers originated in Germany and the Scandinavian countries during the end of the 19th century. The breed first came into being as a result of controlled breeding in the German Pinscher Club.
The dog made its way to the United States in 1919, rapidly gaining popularity until the creation of the Miniature Pinscher Club of America in 1929. Nicknamed the “Minpin,” the Miniature Pinscher has earned a reputation as a hero among the toy breeds.
The Mini Pinscher is a rowdy little dog that can get itself into big trouble if left unattended for long periods of time. A master escape artist, this dog will go anywhere it pleases if not restricted by strong fences and boundaries.
While the breed may seem like more of a hassle than necessary, that simply is not true. In the right hands, this dog is an exceptional addition to virtually any household. Energetic and playful, the Mini Pinscher is always ready for a good time either indoors or out.
Be wary, however, as this dog has a tendency to think it is bigger than it really is, and could hurt its fragile body in a wrestling match against a larger opponent.
Borrowing from its guard dog cousin, the Mini Pinscher is quite aggressive around other animals, frequently challenging strange dogs regardless of their size.
This breed was originally created to be a ratter, so it poses a great danger to any pet rodents its owners may also have. With a fun, regular, and rewarding training regiment, the Mini Pinscher is not too stubborn to train.
Aside from its faults, the Miniature Pinscher is a loyal and protective dog with a larger than life personality.
Miniature Pinschers have a very spirited personality, which requires energy and patience. A very low maintenance breed when it comes to grooming. Wipe down with a cloth daily to remove excess hair would be sufficient for this short haired and average shedding breed.
As with many toy breeds, this dog can be rather difficult to house train. Consistency is the key to training this sometimes stubborn little dog. This intelligent breed is very eager to learn and if given the proper training, will thrive.
Common Health Issues for the Miniature Pinscher:
Disclaimer: While we try our best to provide accurate medical reference information, it is very likely that we have errors on our website. Do not use this website to diagnose or treat your dog. Please check with your veterinarian for health advice and treatment options.
Less Common Health Issues for the Miniature Pinscher:
Disclaimer: While we try our best to provide accurate medical reference information, it is very likely that we have errors on our website. Do not use this website to diagnose or treat your dog. Please check with your veterinarian for health advice and treatment options.
Addison's Disease an adrenal gland deficiency that requires lifelong hormo...
Amyloidosis abnormal protein deposits in joints, kidneys, and other organs, whic...
Anal Gland Adenocarcinoma a type of malignant tumor
Anemia A decrease in the number of red blood cells (RBC's) or the amount of hemoglobi...
Aortic Stenosis malformed heart valve
Arrhythmias abnormal, erratic heartbeats
Atrial Septal Defect An atrial septal defect is a defect or hole in ...
Bacterial Skin Infections Pyoderma is the medical term used to ...
Bladder Cancer malignant tumor of the urinary bladder
Bloat potentially fatal emergency in which the stomach distends with gas and twists ou...
Blocked Tear Ducts malformed ducts between the eye and nose, leading to p...
Blood Cell Toxins
Bone Cancer
Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome one or more respiratory abnorm...
Brain Tumors cancer of the brain
Breast Adenocarcinoma malignant breast tumor
Breast Cancer malignant breast tumor
Bronchitis
Cancer
Canine Alzheimer's Disease Canine cognitive dysfunction "...
Cauda Equina Syndrome compression of the nerves in the lower spine cau...
Cerebellar Atrophy breakdown of a part of the brain leading to lack of co...
Cherry Eye protruding third-eyelid gland
Ciliary Dyskinesia failure of microscopic hairs lining the respiratory tr...
Clotting Issues
Congestive Heart Failure In congestive heart failure, the heart ...
Conjunctivitis
Coonhound Paralysis Coonhound paralysis is an acute neurologic disord...
Copper Storage Disease
Corneal Ulcers painful erosion on the surface of the eye
Crystals and Stones
Cushing's Disease overproduction of cortisol by the adrenal glands
Cystine Urine Crystals abnormal mineral deposits in the urine that ca...
Dancing Dobermans
Deep Bacterial Skin Infections
Demodectic Mange
Digestive Enzyme Deficiencies
Dilated Cardiomyopathy disease that causes weakened heart contraction...
Dizziness
Droopy Face
Dry Eye
Ductus Arteriosus
Dudley Nose
Dyskinesia
Ectopic Ureters tubes from the kidneys that connect with the urethra rather ...
Ectropion
Elbow Dysplasia a malformed elbow joint, causing variable degrees of lamenes...
Encephalitis brain inflammation, often causing seizures, abnormal behavior, or ...
Epilepsy Epilepsy simply refers to repeated seizures.
Esophageal Stenosis
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency pancreas that produces l...
Eye Injuries
Eyelash and Eyelid Problems
Facial-Fold Dermatitis recurrent skin infections in dogs with deep fo...
False Pregnancy
Fibrosarcoma
Foot-Dragging
Heart Holes
Heart Murmurs
Heart Tumors
Hemangiosarcoma malignant tumor most often found on the spleen or the heart
Hemolytic Anemia decrease in the number of red blood cells (RBC's)...
Hemophilia a blood clotting deficiency
Hemophilia A A blood-clotting deficiency.
Hemophilia B a blood clotting deficiency
Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis severe, potentially fatal vomiting a...
Hermaphroditism having "mixed" reproductive organs, such as both a vagina an...
Hip Dysplasia Hip dysplasia simply stated means an abnormal formation of th...
Hydrocephalus accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the skull, potentiall...
Hypoglycemia low blood sugar, potentially leading to seizures
Hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism is a disorder of the thyroid gland -- two sm...
Intestinal Cancer
Intussusception
Inward-Growing Eyelashes eyelashes growing from the underside of th...
Irritable Bowel Disease inflammation of the intestines, causing diar...
Kidney Dysplasia malformation of one or both kidneys, potentially leading t...
Kidney Failure
Knee Injuries
Laryngeal Paralysis failure of the larynx to open fully, causing breathi...
Lens Luxation The lens of the eye normally lies immediately behind the iris...
Leukemia
Little White Shaker Syndrome brain disorder causing severe head...
Liver Problems
Liver Tumors
Low Platelets
Lung Clots
Luxating Kneecaps Patellar luxation is usually a congenital condition i...
Lyme Disease
Lymphoma a blood cell cancer affecting the lymph nodes, bone marrow, or other organ...
Lysosomal Storage Disease enzyme deficiency that causes nerve-cell...
Megaesophagus an esophagus that doesn't contract properly, leading to regurgit...
Meningitis
Mouth Tumors
Multiple Myeloma
Myasthenia Gravis inability of nerve signals to control muscles, causing w...
Neck Instability disorder of the upper spine that can lead to pain or paral...
Nerve Atrophy breakdown of nerve
Neutering
Osteochondrosis Osteochondrosis (also known as OCD) is a common, painful ...
Osteosarcoma a bone cancer
Pancreatitis inflammation of the pancreas, causing severe abdominal pain and vo...
Panosteitis bone inflammation in growing dogs
Paralysis
Patent Ductus Arteriosus an abnormal connection between the pulmona...
Phosphofructokinase Deficiency
Platelet Deficiency blood disorder potentially leading to bruising or bl...
Portosystemic Shunt Portosystemic shunts are abnormal vascular connec...
Pulmonic Stenosis a malformed heart valve
Pyloric Stenosis narrowing of the opening between the stomach and small int...
Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency a condition causing anemia
Respiratory Tract Cancer
Retinal Dysplasia Retinal dysplasia is a type of retinal malformation.<...
Scabies Sarcoptes scabiei var canis infestation ("scabies") is a h...
Seborrhea skin disease causing severe skin flaking and, sometimes, skin infections...
Seizures
Shedding
Shock
Skin Cancer any of several malignancies that target the skin
Spinal Cord Tumors
Spinal Disk Disease disk degeneration leading to pain, weakness, or para...
Splitting Nails
Squamous Cell Carcinoma a type of skin cancer
Stomach Cancer malignant tumor in the stomach
Submissive Peeing
Swollen Ear
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus an immune-system attack on various...
Tail-Fold Dermatitis skin irritation caused by moisture and bacteria ac...
Tearstaining Tear stains are reddish/brownish marks found on the inside corn...
Territorial Aggression
Testicular Tumor cancer of a testicle
Tetralogy of Fallot a severe heart defect
Tick Paralysis Tick paralysis is an acute, progressive, ascending motor pa...
Urinary Stones rocklike mineral deposits in the kidneys or bladder that can p...
Urinary Tract Cancer Cancer of the canine urinary bladder tract.
Uterine Infection The word “pyometra” is derived from latin...
Uveodermatologic Disorder immune-system attack on the eyes and the...
Valve Disease malformation or malfunction of one or more of the four heart val...
Vascular Ring Anomaly blood vessel defect that can constrict the esoph...
Ventricular Septal Defect a hole between the lower two chambers of...
Von Willebrand's Disease A group of inherited conditions that af...
Wobbler Syndrome instability of the neck vertebrae leading to pain, leg wea...
Wobbly Kneecaps Medial patella luxation is a condition in which the ...
Wobbly Necks Caudal Cervical Spondylomyelopathy, commonly called Wobbler&rsq...
Miniature Pinscher Club of America