Megan Grandinetti - The Complete Guide to Miniature Pinschers

Table of Contents

LP M edia Inc. Publishing

Text copyright 2 020 by LP Media Inc.

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine or newspaper without permission in writing from the publisher. For information address LP Media Inc. Publishing, 3178 253rd Ave. NW, Isanti, MN 55040

www.lpmedia.org

Publication Data

Miniature Pinschers

The Complete Guide to Miniature Pinsc hers First edition.

Summary: Successfully raising a Miniature Pinschers Dog from puppy to old age Pr ovided by publisher.

ISB N: 978-1-952069-98-7

[1. Miniature Pinschers No n-Fiction] I. Title.

This book has been written with the published intent to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter included. While every reasonable precaution has been taken in preparation of this book the author and publisher expressly disclaim responsibility for any errors, omissions, or adverse effects arising from the use or application of the information contained inside. The techniques and suggestions are to be used at the readers discretion and are not to be considered a substitute for professional veterinary care. If you suspect a medical problem with your dog, consul t your veterinarian.

Desig n by Sorin Rdulescu

First pap erback edition, 2020

The Complete Guide to Miniature Pinschers

Megan Grandinetti

Introduction

I am not a veterinarian, a professional breeder, or a dog trainer. I am just someone who spent five and a half years loving and caring for a very special Miniature Pinscher. His name was Brady.

At the time when I adopted Brady, I was living a solitary, unhappy life in a career that I absolutely hated. I had an idea that Id adopt a medium-sized dog that could go running with me in Central Park. Then I met Brady, the overweight, senior Min Pin t hat changed my life.

At seven years old, Brady was in bad shape. He was not the svelte running buddy I imagined. But the minute I met him, I knew he was my dog.

Brady inspired a lot of change in my life. I started setting boundaries at work and coming home at a more reasonable hour because he needed me to look after him. I left my electronic devices at home and took him on endless walks and hikes. I started to see that work wasnt everything, despite what my bosses and clients wanted me to believe. I ended up leaving my career in Manhattan and found us a more spacious, better lifestyle in my homet own in Pennsylvania.

Brady stayed with me through all of it. Anywhere I went, he went with me. And if I left him to travel, he always jumped right into my arms the minute he saw me. That bondbetween dog and dog ownerhappens once in a lifet ime, if were lucky.

I never saw myself as a small dog kind of woman. But Min Pins are not small dogs. They have the biggest, brightest personalities of any dogs I have ever met. Brady was loved by everyone in my life. He was incredibly smart. He was loyal and loving. He was a jokester and a clown, and he made me lau gh every single day.

Spending five and a half years as Bradys dog mom was not only one of the best privileges of my life, but it also gave me real insights into ownership of a Miniature Pinscher.

Chapter 1

About the Miniature Pinscher (a.k.a. the Min Pin)

What Is a Miniature Pinscher?

T he Miniature Pinscher, also known by its German name as the Zwergpinscher , is a small, smooth-coated dog considered to be a toy breed. Miniature Pinschers, or Min Pins, are known as the King of the Toys, and for good reason. These compact dogs are as regal as their nickname and elegant appearance implies. Although Min Pins are usually no taller than 12 inches and usually no heavier than 8-10 pounds, they are sturdy, dynamic dogs that are full of bi g dog personality.

History of the Min Pin

The Miniature Pinscher is a small breed of dog of the Pinscher type, with its origins in Germany. The Min Pins ancestors may have included the German Pinscher, mixed with Italian greyhounds and dachshunds. Although it is often assumed that Min Pins are related to the Doberman Pinscher, based both on appearance and on name, this is a common misconception: the two breeds are c ompletely unrelated.

The Min Pin was originally bred in Germany as a ratter, a dog for hunting vermin (primarily rats) in homes, barns, and stables. Because of their small size, they could get into holes and other small spaces that bigger dogs couldnt while chasing rats.

Experts think that the Min Pin breed could be several hundred years old, but there is no clear answer as to its exact age. In the United States, the American Kennel Club first introduced t he Min Pin in 1929.

Physical Characteristics

Miniature Pinschers are compact, sturdy dogs, most no taller than 12 inches and no heavier than 8-10 pounds. There are also Teacup Miniature Pinschers, which are about half the size of normal Min Pins.

Min Pins are athletic in build and are known for their high-stepping, or hackney (horse-like) gait.

A Min Pins coat is short, smooth, and shiny, with no undercoat. The American Kennel Club (AKC) breed standard for colors is (1) solid clear red, stag red (with intermingling of black hairs); (2) black with sharply defined rust-red markings (on cheeks, lips, lower jaw, throat, twin spots above the eyes, and chest, lower half of front legs, inside of back legs, lower portion of hocks and feet, and black pencil stripes on toes); or (3) chocolate with rust-red markings (same as specified for black Min Pins, except a brown pencil stripe on toes). In both the solid red and stag red Min Pins, a rich, vibrant medium to dark shade is preferred.

My Min Pin, Brady, was black with rust markings. When we met, he was so overweight that friends joked that it looked like someone stuffed a sausage inside the body of a Min Pin. Or that he looked like a football with tiny legs and a face. On his first vet visit, he weighed more than 18 pounds! However, with the proper diet and a lot of exercise, he eventually grew into the trim, athletic, happy Min Pin he was always meant to be.

Behavioral Characteristics

Min Pins are smart, curious, loving and are notorious escape artists. They need an owner who understands that they are not a lazy purse dog. They love to snuggle and cuddle but if given the chance they will run. A Min Pin is a perpetual toddler: inquisitive, smart, and they love human interaction.

Jacqueline Siotto-Zwirn

Sidels Miniature Pinschers

Miniature Pinschers are loyal, fun-loving, and playful. They are fearless, vigorous, and always alert, probably a leftover trait from their early days when they were bred for hunting. Min Pins are generally wary of strangers, bark at new people and noises, and make e xcellent guard dogs.