THE KING OF THE SMALL BREEDS


The breed of  Miniature Pinschers (Zwergpinscher) was first developed in
Germany in the begining of 1800's.  They were bred with German Pinschers,
Manchester Terriers, and Dachshunds in order to give them specific
characteristics as a working dog as well as companion.  Some sources claim
they also added a bit of an Italian greyhound .They became too popular very
quickly and  they were known as the king of the small  breeds. It is
noteworthy that as early as 1640 a small cat sized red dog, fine boned and
with prick ears, is depicted in a painting of a peasant family. Later, paintings
from the 1800's include dogs of distinctly Miniature Pinscher type. In the
same way, intellectuals have noted the stark resemblance of the Miniature
Pinscher to the Egyptian paintings and statues of Annubis, a god who
guarded the temples of dead pharaohs. This is speculation, but it makes you
wonder if the Miniature Pinscher didn't actually descend from the Egyptian
dog.

The idea behind Min Pins started when in Germany , the sailors wanted to
create a smaller breed to be used on ships to catch vermin.  In the past they
tried to use cats but they not able to go onto the ships because of the way
the wood from the decks affected them.  The best solution was to breed a
smaller type of dog that could replace cats.  When the changes in the dogs
began to be made the breeders went after two things: a smaller size and a
high amount of energy to help out on the boats.

The Miniature Pinscher quickly grew into a companion dog as well as a
hunter of vermin.  The size of the Min Pins became attractive to the women
in Germany, as most saw them as good house companions as well as
hunters.  Because of this secondary thought, the dogs quickly moved into
being bred  even smaller in size.  This is where the dogs were bred with
Dachshunds in order to create a red color and small structure to the Min
Pins.   A Miniature Pinscher is known to have the characteristics of  a more
fearless and energetic dog, something that a lot of people might  like in a
smaller dog.

These are the origins which have allowed Miniature Pinscher to gain some
of their major attributes that some may see in to the breed until today.  The
first of these attributes is that Min Pins are loyal companions to their
owners, even more so than some other dogs. Secondly Miniature Pinscher
has a high amount of energy and will most likely need something to do even
beyond the walks that you want to take them on. Thirdly a min pin is a
perfect alert dog .It is so devoted to its master that would do anything to
protect him/her even by risking its own life.

As a lot of cynologist would affirm, that a Miniature Pinscher  was created
by a combination of quite compatible  breeds .

So if you like a n energetic and possibly loud but loyal animal  then a Min
Pin is the right choice.  

According to the Zuchtbuch first edition of the registration of Pinschers and
Schnauzers in Germany, in 1924 there were registered in 1505 Mini
Schnauzers, min pinschers 3970, standard schnauzers 7037, Giant
schnauzers 567, German pinschers 185 and finally affenpinschers  210.


All the latest and so valuable photos are courtesy of Dr. Rita Trainin.
1888 New Zealand
Kennel Gazette
Koirakirja  1936  
Affchen b Sterntor
born 1934
Asta v Wettin
borm 1934
Die Schauzer und
Pinscher
rassen 1972
The Kennel Club
illustrated breed
standards 1989  
photo Diane  Pearce.
Heinz Holler
1978
Schnauzer und  
Pinscher 1977 by
Werner Jung
Reichgruppe Deutscher
HUndewesen 1937  Band
XV  272
minipischer
Camelia V.Ait
Severin
Gerda Umlauff
1975
KELKYON
History of the Breed