HISTORY

Well-known as the "Min-Pin," the Miniature Pinscher has been bred in Germany for hundreds of years. One theory is that it was developed by breeding the German Pinscher to Dachshunds and Italian Greyhounds to obtain a smaller-sized dog. It was one of the breeds included in the Pinscher-Schnauzer Club formed in Germany in the 1890's.

        The Miniature Pinscher was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1936.

 

GENERAL APPEARANCE

The Miniature Pinscher is structurally well balanced and sturdy. It is compact and short coupled. The breed is smooth coated and naturally well groomed. Characteristic of the breed is its hackney-like gaiting action.

Fault: Structurally lacking in balance.

 

CHARACTERISTICS

In character the Miniature Pinscher is proud, vigorous and alert. It shows fearless animation and complete self-possession, accompanied by a spirited presence.

 

HEAD

The narrow, tapering, well-balanced head is in proportion to the body. The length of the muzzle should be equal to the length of the skull. There is a slight stop as the muzzle transitions into the skull. The head shows no indication of coarseness.

SKULL - The skull appears flat and tapers in width toward the muzzle.

MUZZLE - The muzzle is strong, rather than fine and delicate. The top line of the muzzle is parallel to the top line of the skull. The cheeks are smooth and well chiseled. The lips are taut and closely adherent to the muzzle.

TEETH - Meet in a scissors bite. A full compliment of teeth is preferred, but a few missing teeth are acceptable.

EYES - The full, slightly oval eyes are clear, bright and dark, almost a true black. Black dogs have black eye rims. Chocolate-colored dogs may have a lighter eye pigment and have self-colored eye rims. Blue dogs may have lighter eye pigment and have gray or self-colored eye rims.

NOSE - The nose is black, except in chocolate-colored and blue dogs, which have self-colored noses.

EARS - The ears may be cropped or uncropped. They are set high and stand erect from the base to the tip.

 

NECK

The slightly arched, clean, muscular, gracefully curved neck blends smoothly into the shoulders. It is in proportion to the head and body.

 

FOREQUARTERS

The clean, sloping shoulders have moderate angulation, coordinated to permit the hackney-like action.

FORELEGS - The forelegs have strong bone development, and small, clean joints. When viewed from the front, they are straight and upstanding. The elbows are close to the body. The pasterns are strong and perpendicular. Dewclaws should be removed from the forelegs.

Fault: Weak pasterns.

 

BODY

The muscular, compact body is slightly wedge shaped. The ribs are well sprung. The forechest is well developed. The base line of the brisket is level with the point of the elbows. Whether gaiting or standing, the backline is level or slopes slightly. The croup is level with the backline. The loin is short and strong. The belly is moderately tucked up. In proportion, males appear square, measured from the breastbone to the back of the thigh and the top of the withers to the ground. Females may be slightly longer.