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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.