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