Breed Profile
Written by Alexander Bentley Photography by Tonya Schabacker Miniature Pinschers. It’s easy to assume with a name like that that this lovely little dog is a perfect copy of the larger German (or Doberman) Pinscher, at one-eighth the size. But no. Both large and small Pinschers may have shared a common ancestor, but Mini Pinschers and their distant German/Doberman cousins have nothing but a passing physical similarity – their personalities are as different as night and day.
M
ini Pinschers are toysized, rarely topping 12 pounds – but anyone who thinks these tiny dogs are calm lap-or-purse companions is in for a surprise; the Mini Pinscher is a constantly moving ball of pure energy. Think “jet-powered toddler on a sugar rush” and you’ll be close.
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Feeling
It’s generally considered true that a Mini Pinscher will be able to fit through any hole larger than a human fist. And, if they can get loose, a Mini Pinscher will. It’s not that they don’t love their people (they do), it’s just that they really want to run around and explore everything. Forever. Well kept fences and leashes are a must with this curious breed in general; although dedicated training also helps.