Min Pin pros and cons
Owning a Miniature Pinscher has pros and cons. Miniature Pinschers are small in size and can be easily carried and transported, which is a pro. Other advantages of owning a Min Pin include the dog's lively, alert and curious temperament that delights the owners of this tiny breed. Although Miniature Pinschers are small in size, they have big personalities and love to be in the center of attention. Miniature Pinschers have other pros. This breed is versatile and can adjust to living in a small city apartment or in a large country home. As long as a Miniature Pinscher gets to spend most of the time with the owner, this tiny dog with a big heart is a happy camper. Min Pins are relatively low maintenance when it comes to grooming, which is another positive associated with this small but active breed. Miniature Pinschers have a short coat and don't shed too much. Brushing the dog daily helps to remove the dead hair and minimize the amount of pet hair around the home.
Other pros associated with Miniature Pinscher include the dog's naturally protective temperament - Min Pins make good watchdogs and will warn the owners about any strangers approaching their territory with a loud bark. Min Pins make good family pets for families with older kids who have plenty of time to spend with a family pet. Miniature Pinschers dislike being left alone and need to be around human family most of the time. This breed is not recommended for people who spend all day long at work and only get to spend a couple of hours a day with the dog. Retirees and people who can spend most of the day with a dog make ideal owners for this small but demanding for attention breed.
What are the cons associated with Min Pins? Miniature Pinschers are small in size and can be vulnerable around small children, which is a con. Although Miniature Pinschers are affectionate and loving towards their families, Min Pins can be aggressive towards unfamiliar people if not socialized properly during puppyhood. Miniature Pinschers tend to enjoy barking, which can be a problem especially if this small dog lives in an apartment. Training a Min Pin to be quiet on command is one of the ways to manage the dog's barking. Miniature Pinshers aren't the easiest breeds to train or housebreak, which is another disadvantage. A consistent and gentle training approach combined with positive motivation works best.
Miniature Pinscher size
Miniature Pinscher weight
Miniature Pinscher male weight: 7.9 to 9.9 lb (3.6 to 4.5 kg)
Miniature Pinscher female weight: 7.9 to 9.9 lb (3.6 to 4.5 kg)
Miniature Pinscher size
Miniature Pinscher male height: 9.8 to 12.6 in (25 to 32 cm)
Miniature Pinscher female height: 9.8 to 12.6 in (25 to 32 cm)
Miniature Pinscher coat: short and smooth coat
Miniature Pinscher colors: various shades of red, black, chocolate, blue, fawn with tan points
How many puppies do Miniature Pinscher have?
Miniature Pinscher litter size: 3 to 4 puppies
How long do Miniature Pinschers live?
Min Pin lifespan: 12 to 14 years
How much does a Miniature Pinscher cost?
Miniature Pinscher price starts at around $500 per puppy that is not registered with AKC. For Min Pin puppies registered with AKC, the price starts at around $1,300 and up, depending on many factors
Other names for Miniature Pinscher breed: Min Pin, Mini Pinscher, Zwergpinscher
Min Pin temperament pros and cons
Miniature Pinschers are true terriers when it comes to their temperament. Min Pins may be small in size, but their temperament is alert, dynamic, bossy and fearless. The busy little dog makes an enthusiastic watchdog and a loving companion. If not properly socialized from puppyhood, Miniature Pinschers may be suspicious or even aggressive towards strangers.
Are Mini Pinschers good with kids? Miniature Pinschers are great dogs for active families with older kids. The breed is too fragile to be handled by toddlers and is not recommended for families with very young kids. Can Miniature Pinschers live in an apartment? Min Pins make great apartment dogs and can be happy living in an apartment as long as the dog gets enough exercise during the day. Keep in mind that some Min Pins enjoy the sound of their voice and tend to bark a lot. This may be an issue as not all neighbors appreciate the loud dog. Do not punish your Min Pin for barking. Rather, praise him for not barking. Teach him to bark on command first. Then you will be able to train the dog the "Quiet!" command.
Miniature Pinschers are active and can appreciate a home with a yard, where the little dog can burn some energy. Be sure to have a secure fence and check for any gaps to be sure that the Min Pin will not accidentally escape.
Miniature Pinschers can get along with other pets as long as they received early socialization or had a chance to grow up with the other pets such as cats or other dogs. Mini Pinschers may be aggressive or dominant with unfamiliar dogs. Always supervise your Miniature Pinscher with other unfamiliar animals.
What type of an owner is best for Miniature Pinscher breed? This strong minded and highly active dog needs an experienced owner who can provide constant supervision to the mischievous Min Pin. Miniature Pinschers should not be left alone for long periods of time and do best in families where someone is almost always there to provide attention and supervision to the adventurous Mini Pinscher.
Although Miniature Pinschers are very intelligent, training this breed could be a challenge for a less experienced owner. Be ready to exercise your patience as you are training the Min Pin dog. Miniature Pinschers can get bored quickly during long training sessions and their attention span tends to be rather short. A few short and positive training sessions during the day work much better with this breed.
Potty training a Miniature Pinscher
Miniature Pinschers can be difficult to potty train and the owner needs to be prepared to be observant and pay attention to the dog's body language in order to take the dog to the potty area when the Min Pin shows any signs of readiness to use the dog toilet. Have a designated dog potty area. If you live in an apartment, consider using an indoor potty for your Miniature Pinscher that can be very convenient.
Min Pin may start sniffing the floor or pace around in circles and look anxious when he is ready to use a potty. Immediately take the dog to the designated potty are and let him do what he needs to do there. As soon as he is finished, praise the Min Pin and give him a small treat as a reward for good behavior. This will help the Miniature Pinscher to faster understand what is required of him. Miniature Pinscher puppies and older dogs usually need to use the toilet right after they wake up, after eating or after playing. Pay close attention to your dog and always bring him to the same potty area where he can answer the nature's call.
Do not punish the Miniature Pinscher in case of an accident. Accidents will happen during potty training and by punishing the dog, you will only confuse him and may slow down the potty training process even more. Thoroughly clean up the mess and continue to observe the dog's behavior for readiness to use the toilet. Be sure to not leave any trace of scent of his urine or feces after an accident and use an enzyme based cleaner to completely eliminate any odor. Dogs tend to use the area that smells like his urine as a toilet in the future, and that is why it is important to thoroughly remove any traces of an accident from the floor.
Crate training is important and will help you to achieve positive results with potty training your Miniature Pinscher. Dogs do not like to eliminate in a place where they sleep. When you are crate training your Miniature Pinscher, do not rush. Let the dog naturally get used to the crate by making the crate a comfortable sleeping place for the dog. Throw in some treats and do not rush with closing the crate's doors too soon. Wait for a few days until the Miniature Pinscher is fully comfortable using the crate as his sleeping place before training the dog to be comfortable in a closed crate. Never use the crate as a punishment, as the dog will learn to associate it with negative things and will not be comfortable spending time in the crate. Your Mini Pinscher's crate should be his safe haven where the dog can sleep and relax.
Having a predictable schedule will help you to determine when the Miniature Pinscher is ready to be taken out for a walk to relieve himself and in turn helps with potty training your dog.
Min Pin behavior
Miniature Pinschers are famous for some behaviors that may present challenges to less experienced owners. Min Pins are famous barkers and unless the little dog is kept busy during the day, he may start barking out of loneliness or out of boredom. Are there any other destructive behaviors associated with the Miniature Pinschers breed? The active small dog needs supervision during the day, otherwise he may get in trouble by chewing your new leather shoes or any other belongings that he finds while you are not around.
New owners of Miniature Pinschers need to be aware that the breed is known as an escape artist and if you have even a tiny gap in your fence, he may find a way to squeeze his tiny body through it and go explore the world. Keep your Min Pin on a leash when walking in an area that is not fenced.
Owners of Min Pins describe how they are experiencing a conflict between the dog and a new baby. Some Miniature Pinschers may be jealous of the new baby and it is important to use proper socialization techniques when you are planning to expand your family.
How long do Min Pins live?
Min Pin lifespan averages from twelve to fourteen years. A Miniature Pinscher will not be considered a senior until he is past eight or nine years old.
Here's an average age equivalents for Min Pin breed:
A Min Pin who is 8 months of age would be equivalent to a 13 year old in human age.
A Min Pin who is 1 year old would be equivalent to a 16 year old in human age.
A Min Pin who is 5 years old would be equivalent to a 36 year old in human age.
A Min Pin who is 9 years old would be equivalent to a 52 year old in human age.
A Min Pin who is 15 years old would be equivalent to a 76 year old in human age.
Feeding the dog a healthy and nutritious diet, taking good care of your Miniature Pinscher and catching any health issues early will contribute to Min Pin's longevity and overall health.
Miniature Pinscher supplies
Dog Carrier for small breeds
If you enjoy taking a Min Pin for car trips, a dog carrier is the safest place for your dog to be in during the trip. Letting your Min Pin run loose in the car is never a good idea. Not only is it unsafe for both of you, but you run the risk of losing your dog when you make stops. A tiny dog such as the Miniature Pinscher can quickly escape when the door opens and he'll be tempted to leap out if he sees something interesting outside.
Either use a carrier or a restraining harness that works with the car's seat belt to keep the dog securely in his place.
Dog bed for a Miniature Pinscher
Miniature Pinscher clothes
Miniature Pinschers are sensitive to cold weather because they feature a short coat won't keep the dog warm. For colder days be sure to dress the Min Pin in weather appropriate dog clothes.
Miniature Pinscher shedding
Miniature Pinschers have a short coat that does not produce much shedding. The easy-care coat needs to be brushed with a rubber mitt to provide stimulation for the skin while removing dead hairs and the occasional polish with a soft cloth.
Miniature Pinscher care
Use canine toothpaste when you are brushing Miniature Pinscher's teeth. The dog's teeth need to be brushed every day to remove any food particles and bacteria from his teeth to keep them healthy for a long time. It is important to continue good dental habits with the older Min Pin. Gum and tooth decay and disease are triggers for heart problems. By keeping your Miniature Pinscher's teeth healthy, you will be lengthening his life expectancy and making him easier to live with (by avoiding bad breath).
Trim Min Pin's nails once every few weeks or as soon as you can hear the nails making a clicking sound when the dog walks on a hard floor.
Styptic powder is used by dog groomers when they accidentally cut the dog's nail too far. There's a small vein located in each dog's nail and if it's cut, it may bleed and styptic powder is an effective way to stop the bleeding.
Keep the dog's ears clean and be sure to wipe the ears with a clean, dry towel after each bath to help prevent ear infections.
Dog tear stain remover can remove any tear stains around Miniature Pinscher's eyes.
Premium-grade dog food will be higher priced, but good nutrition will keep your dog healthy, his coat will look shiny and the good diet helps the dog to live a longer and healthier life.
Feeding schedule for Min Pin
How often you feed your Miniature Pinscher will depend on his age. A puppy, who is 6 to 12 weeks of age should be fed up to four times a day. After 12 weeks of age, you can begin feeding three meals a day until he is 6 months old. Starting at 6 months of age, the Miniature Pinscher should be fed twice daily.
Miniature Pinscher grooming
Miniature Pinscher bathing
To make bathing your Min Pin a happy experience, be sure to have all your bathing equipment within an arm's reach before you start. If you don't have a handheld sprayer in your bathtub, get one. You'll be amazed at how much simpler bathing your dog will be when you use a handheld sprayer. Place a rubber mat in the bottom of your tub to prevent the dog from slipping and sliding. The dog will feel more secure when he can stand on a non slippery surface. Only use a lukewarm water when washing your Miniature Pinscher. Place a cotton ball inside each of your Min Pin's ears, but not too far inside to keep water from draining into the ear canal and diminish the likelihood of ear infection. Use a shampoo that is designed for Min Pin coat. Rinse well because any leftover shampoo on his skin can cause a severe skin irritation. Be careful when you are using a human hair dryer on a dog - the hair dryer's temperature can easily burn the dog's skin - only use a hair dryer that has a "cool" setting and only use that setting when drying the dog.
Miniature Pinscher ear cropping
There's no medical reason to crop a dog's ears. It is strictly done for aesthetic purposes. Some proponents of ear cropping state that a Miniature Pinscher with cropped ears will have fewer ear infections than one whose ears are left drooping. Ask your veterinarian her or his opinion about the health benefits of cropping. If you decide to have your Miniature Pinscher's ears cropped, ask your breeder for suggestions as to the choice of veterinarian to do the surgery. A crop that is incorrectly performed will leave your Miniature Pinscher scarred for life. You should make sure that the vet you choose is not only trained and experienced in ear cropping but is especially experienced in cropping a Min Pin's ears. Keep in mind that Min Pins are not miniature Dobermans, and their ear crop is unique to their specific breed.
Miniature Pinscher health problems
Min Pins are generally a healthy breed. Kneecap dislocation (patellar luxation) may be a concern. Other genetic health issues include progressive retinal atrophy and Legg-Calves-Perthese disease. A good breeder will perform all possible genetic health testing.
Allergies can also be an issue for Min Pins. Poor skin quality is a sign of an allergic reaction. Allergens can include something that a dog ate or touched or even sniffed. About twenty percent of dog allergies are a reaction to something in their food. Try switching the dog's food to something with a different base ingredient. For example, if your dog food has a lamb base, try feeding him dog food that has chicken as a base instead. Some dogs are allergic to grains - try an allergy friendly diet for your pet to ease his allergies.
Bloat may also be a health concern for Miniature Pinschers. Use a slow feeder bowl when you are feeding the dog and make sure that he is in a calm state of mind when the dog is eating. Excited dogs tend to gulp more air along with food which may cause bloat.
Miniature Pinscher origin
Historians believe that the Miniature Pinscher evolved from the ancient German Pinscher family of dogs. The word "pinscher" refers to a habit of jumping on and fiercely biting a prey quarry. People began selective crossbreeding of the German Pinscher, the Dachshund and the Italian Greyhound to get the breed that we know as the Miniature Pinscher. From the German Pinscher, Min Pin inherited his terrier-like qualities, including his energy and prey instincts; from the Dachshund, he inherited his courage and playfulness; and from the Italian Greyhound he inherited that charming gait. It is a common mistake to refer to a Miniature Pinscher as a "Miniature Doberman". The Min Pin was a well-established breed when Louis Dobermann bred his first Doberman Pinscher in 1980. Louis Dobermann had a Min Pin on his mind when he developed a Doberman Pinscher. He is quoted as saying that he wished to create a breed that he described as a "giant terrier that would look much like the five pound Reh Pinscher (Reh Pinscher was the original name for the Miniature Pinscher breed) but that would be 15 times heavier and larger." Although Doberman Pinschers somewhat resemble the Miniature Pinscher, especially in coloring, the two breeds have a different head type and body type.
During the 1800s Miniature Pinschers were used as ratters in Germany. In Germany this breed is considered to be a working dog rather than a companion dog. The breed was registered with AKC in 1925.
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