Augusten S. - Miniature Pinscher: Training, Grooming, and Dog Care

Miniature Pinschers are a unique, sassy breed with broad appeal. The Miniature Pinscher has been bred over time to handle the specific demands and requirements of farmers, so these dogs have a high-energy personality that does not waver much between individuals.

How did Miniature Pinschers make it into the hearts and homes of millions? We can only answer this question by looking back at their history. The Miniature Pinscher originates in Germany, and is surprisingly unrelated to Doberman Pinschers. This breeds closest ancestors are the Italian Greyhound and the Dachshund, both of whom also have sleek, sporty frames.

Miniature Pinschers were originally bred to be a hunting breed; they were not house pets, but working dogs often left to their own devices. Their characteristic cropped ears and tail, as outlined in the American Kennel Club's (AKC) guidelines, trace back to the breed's history as a hunter, as ears and tails were often cropped short to minimize the risk of damage and infection from rodent bites or errant horse hooves.

The AKC still recommends cropping the tails and ears of Miniature Pinschers. The practice no longer holds any practical use, but continues due to the AKC's insistence that a Miniature Pinscher resemble a small Doberman, though it has been established that the two are not related. This requirement perpetuates the common misunderstanding regarding the relationship between the Miniature Pinscher and Doberman.

Miniature Pinschers are a friendly breed and make excellent family pets. For those with the time commitment and physical ability necessary to handle the high exercise requirements of this breed, Miniature Pinschers make an excellent option. These days, they manage as well in apartments as they do on farms. That said, the Miniature Pinscher has extensive training needs, so take time to read the entirety of this document to be sure you have a full understanding of what Miniature Pinschers need to thrive.

Miniature Pinschers may be a small dogs, but they are a huge responsibility. Miniature Pinschers will only thrive with consistent maintenance. While high-energy and friendly, they are known for being strong-minded dogs that present training challenges. If you have a very busy schedule, or family members or roommates you cannot trust to be consistent with training, you should reconsider bringing a Miniature Pinscher home.

If you do think a Miniature Pinscher could be the right choice for you, ask yourself the following questions to make sure:

• Do I have three to five hours a day to devote to exercise and play?

• Do I have the money for routine and emergency veterinary care?

• Can I afford to feed my dog an ideal diet for his specific needs?

• Do I have the time to devote to training my new dog?

While these questions are important for any dog owner to ask themselves, Miniature Pinschers require an extra level of care and experience. Perhaps more importantly, any person who wants to own a Miniature Pinscher should possess a sense of humor. Miniature Pinschers are famous for testing their owner's patience on a daily basis, and will definitely push pre-established boundaries if they think they can get away with it.

All personality quirks aside, the Miniature Pinscher makes a great breed for responsible, close-knit families with plenty of experience with challenging dog breeds. Miniature Pinschers are not well-suited to beginners, but make an excellent choice for those who have both a fair understanding of dog behavior and can dedicate themselves to a Miniature Pinscher's demanding needs.

People who enjoy the company of Miniature Pinschers but cannot commit to one or more of the above questions may do well to consider other toy breeds with less extensive needs. Dachshunds are friendly, cuddly dogs, but do have congenital health problems. Miniature Poodles are great apartment dogs, but need more extensive socialization than typical dogs, and may have an unstable temperament. They also have more grooming requirements than either Miniature Pinschers or Dachshunds.

Consider visiting a small-breed rescue shelter and discussing your needs and preferences with a shelter employee. The employees who work with the animals daily will have a better understanding of each dog's temperament, and may be able to match you with the perfect companion for your lifestyle. This minimizes your chances of acquiring a purebred dog, but you can rest well knowing that you have opened your home to an animal in need.

If you have read all of the above and have determined yourself a competent, experienced, and patient enough dog owner, the Miniature Pinscher may be right for you. Research this breed extensively so you can effectively handle any clashes you may encounter in this enormous transition. Bringing a new dog into your life is a big commitment, and you should prepare to encounter completely unexpected situations .

House Training

Miniature Pinschers are notoriously stubborn, and this attitude absolutely extends to house training. The fact is that toy breeds are small in every regard, including their bladder. If you acquire a Miniature Pinscher as a puppy, you will have to make every effort to be diligent during his house training period.

House training is fairly straightforward, if you take the time to consider things from your dog's point of view. First and foremost, you should set your dog up to do the right thing, every time. This means taking the following into consideration:

Crate-training: Miniature Pinschers are tiny dogs with tons of curiosity, so crate-training is a great idea even without considering potty habits. The ASPCA Virtual Pet Behaviorist notes , "Crates are especially helpful when introducing a new dog into your household. You can also use a crate to efficiently house train your dog and prevent her from being destructive." This keeps puppy in one spot, and gives you peace of mind knowing that your dog is safe and sound while you are away.

Your crate should be only large enough for your dog to turn around and lie down in. If it is any larger, he may urinate or defecate in the extra space. Dogs do not like lying in or near their own waste, so a crate provides an extra barrier against accidents. There are many crates on the market that offer spacers, allowing the crate to be resized as the dog grows up. This can relieve some of the costs associated with owning a puppy, and is worth considering if money is an issue for you.

Environment: Do not use pads in the home if you do not plan on using them for life. Dogs think in a linear manner, meaning that your Miniature Pinscher may not understand the difference between a pad and a welcome mat. If you make sure your dog never associates the indoors with eliminating, you can prevent it from becoming an issue in the first place. Consider purchasing a playpen for your puppy to stretch out in when you cannot keep a constant eye on him. Otherwise, keep your puppy close to you on a leash until he learns to hold his bladder reliably.

Consistency: Your Miniature Pinscher should be able to hold his bladder one hour for every month of age. In other words, your three month-old Miniature Pinscher should wait a maximum of three hours between outings. If you cannot keep a consistent schedule, consider hiring a dog-walker or enlisting the help of a friend or family member during this critical period in your dog's life.

If your puppy is not finished with his vaccination schedule, only take him outside to urinate and defecate before picking him back up to bring him back inside. Make certain to praise and treat your puppy for doing his business outside, as it will create a positive connection between the behavior and the reward.