10 things you need to know about the miniature pinscher before you buy one

The miniature pinscher is a petite but workmanlike small dog breed that many people immediately think of as being a miniature version of the larger Doberman pinscher, and aside from a large size disparity, there are undeniably a number of physical similarities between the two breeds!

However, the miniature pinscher is very much a dog breed in its own right, and aside from a lean, healthy-looking build and black and tan colouration, doesn’t have a huge amount in common with their larger cousins, which is a disappointment to some and a bonus to others!

This is a small breed with a big personality, and every year, a great many dog lovers begin to explore the breed in more detail in order to determine if it might be the right fit for them.

Whilst the miniature pinscher is a versatile dog breed that is a good choice for many different types of homes and owners, they are not for everyone, and it is important to learn as much as possible about the breed before you commit to a purchase.

With this in mind, this article will tell you ten things you need to know about the miniature pinscher, before you buy one. Read on to learn more.

Miniature pinschers are quite intelligent

The miniature pinscher is one of the smarter of the small dog breeds, being ranked in 57th place out of a total number of 138 different dog breeds in Stanley Coren’s widely accepted ranking of dog breeds by intelligence.

This means that they tend to be quick witted, good at learning new skills, enthusiastic about training, and keen to exercise their minds. However, it can also mean that they get bored easily too!

Miniature pinschers need a lot of exercise

The miniature pinscher is quite a lively little dog breed, and they have reasonably high energy levels and as a result, need a reasonable amount of daily exercise.

They don’t thrive within a sedentary lifestyle, and need to spend a couple of hours each day walking both on the lead, and playing and socialising freely with other dogs.

The breed is not a miniature version of the Doberman pinscher!

It is a common misconception that the miniature pinscher is a miniature or scaled-down version of the Doberman pinscher, or a smaller variant of the Doberman breed. However, this is not the case, and the Doberman was not even one of the breeds used to develop the miniature pinscher in the first place.

The breed’s exact ancestry is cause for some debate, but the breeds most commonly cited in its creation are the German pinscher, the dachshund, and the Italian greyhound!

Miniature pinschers are classed as toy dogs, but they are very unique within the class

The miniature pinscher falls into the Kennel Club’s toy dog categorisation, which is reserved for small dogs that make for affectionate and loyal pets and companions first and foremost, rather than those with working skills or that performed historical working roles.

The intelligence and energy levels of the miniature pinscher are not really typical of toy dogs as a whole, and the mini pin certainly isn’t a lap dog – although they do love cuddles!

Miniature pinschers are low shedding and have easy care coats

The miniature pinscher coat is short and single layered, which means that it is very easy to care for. They also don’t tend to shed a huge amount of fur. However, the mini pin might feel the cold in the winter due to their short coats, and may benefit from an insulating waterproof coat for walks on cold days.

Miniature pinschers are moderately expensive to buy

According to our Pets4Homes statistics, the average advertised asking price for Kennel Club registered miniature pinschers for sale as of September 2019 was £730, and for non-pedigree dogs of the breed, £534.

This is slightly on the high side across the board for all dog breeds of a similar size, but not hugely outside of the norms.

Miniature pinschers tend to be robust and healthy

The average lifespan of miniature pinschers can vary between around 10-14 years, and the breed is not one that has a huge number of hereditary health challenges correlated with it.

However, all prospective miniature pinscher buyers are advised to research the breed’s health in detail before committing to a purchase, and ensure that they choose from a breeder that is knowledgeable about the breed’s health in their turn.

Miniature pinschers can be quite demanding, and don’t like being left alone

The miniature pinscher is not a breed that usually tolerates being left alone at home for very long at a time, and they can be quite demanding in terms of their need for attention. If you would need to leave your dog alone regularly for several hours at a time, this would not be a good breed to pick.

Miniature pinschers can be quite vocal

Miniature pinschers tend to be quite vocal dogs, and as such, they can make for good watchdogs. However, they are also often quite keen to bark for no reason, which can make them somewhat annoying – particularly for your neighbours if they make a lot of fuss when you’ve left every time you go out!

Miniature pinschers require an owner that appreciates and understands the breed’s core traits

The miniature pinscher has a lot to recommend it to many different types of owners, particularly those looking for a small and compact toy dog breed that is a little more energetic and a touch smarter than most others in the class.

However, these traits, and the fact that dogs of the breed can be fairly demanding in general, mean that you need to ensure you can provide the appropriate lifestyle for such as dog and appreciate their unique requirements before you go ahead and buy a miniature pinscher of your own.