Mary Allen
The FCI lists the German Pinscher breed in standard no. 184. In Group 2, it belongs to the Pinschers and Schnauzers, Molossoids, and Swiss Mountain Dogs. There he can be found in Section 1 Pinscher and Schnauzer as subgroup 1.1.
German Pinscher Dog Breed Information
Size: 45-50cm
Weight: 12-18kg
FCI Group: 2: Pinscher and Schnauzer – Molosser – Swiss Mountain Dogs and other breeds
Section: 1: Pinscher and Schnauzer
Country of origin: Germany
Colors: brown, black, fawn, red, blue, red-black
Life expectancy: 12-14 years
Suitable as: family and companion dog
Sports: agility, dog dancing
Temperament: Spirited, Lively, Loving, Family, Intelligent
Leaving requirements: high
Drooling potential: low
The thickness of hair: medium
Maintenance effort: low
Coat Structure: Short, dense, smooth, lying, shiny
Child friendly: medium
Family dog: yes
Social: rather no
Origin and Breed History
The historical designations of the German Pinscher breed already indicate their areas of responsibility. The dogs used to be called ratters, stable dogs, or coach dogs. The hard-working animals accompanied coachmen and traveling traders on their journeys. A German Pinscher usually walked alongside the vehicle for long distances. When the coach stopped, the dog guarded the wagon when the coachman was absent. He did it so convincingly that no one dared to go near him.
When the horses and coachmen came to rest in the evening, the pinscher would do his next job. He stayed in the stable with the horses. There he kept order by hunting rats, mice, martens, and other unwelcome stable dwellers. In this way, many dogs were fed at the same time.
The history of the German Pinscher goes back several hundred years. They are considered to be one of the oldest German dog breeds. Animals that were not used as coach dogs traditionally had their place on farms. Dogs were widely used in the countries of Central Europe for these tasks. Targeted breeding has been going on since about 1870. The German Pinscher was first mentioned in the German Dog Stud Book in 1880.
Originally, the breed, which is known today exclusively with smooth fur, consisted of smooth-haired and wire-haired Pinschers. The former wire-haired pinschers are now the schnauzers. Both breeds come from the same origin. To this day, breeders of Pinschers and Schnauzers are active in an association, the Pinscher-Schnauzer-Klub, founded in 1895.
Which Pinschers are There?
In addition to the German Pinscher, there are:
- Miniature Pinscher
- Rehpinscher (brown Miniature Pinscher)
- the long-haired Affenpinscher
- the Austrian Pinscher
Nature & Temperament of the German Pinscher
The nature of the German Pinscher corresponds to their original area of responsibility. The dogs are characterized by strength, energy, and joy of movement. They are alert and strong-willed. A German Pinscher is a real dog with character and the following characteristics:
- intelligent
- adaptable
- spirited
- persevering
- strong nerves
- self-confident
- eager to learn
- agile
- enterprising
- independent
- cuddly
- clingy
- playful
- sometimes disobedient
- stubborn
- resistant
- good-natured
- careful
Some of these properties appear contradictory. In fact, the Pinscher behaves differently when guarding its property and pack than when surrounded by its family. He is affectionate and freedom-loving at the same time. This means that he likes to roam the area alone but always comes home to get his cuddles. A pinscher decides for himself whether it makes sense for him to always follow the instructions of his owner.
When guarding his home, the dog is incorruptible. Nobody enters his territory without his permission. He announces visitors and reviews every extraordinary event without being a long barker. He is not aggressive, but very determined. In the circle of his family, he shows himself to be devoted, playful, and cuddly. He is a quiet member of the family in the house. The Pinscher gets along with other dogs as long as they don’t see them as a threat. He has to learn to accept cats and small animals around him as a puppy, otherwise, he would regard them as prey due to his hunting instinct.
A German Pinscher is a lively dog that needs constant exercise and exercise. Therefore it takes a lot of time. He loves being close to his family and is loyal to his pack leader. He is suspicious of strangers. The strong-character dog always needs consistent training.
Is a German Pinscher a Family Dog?
The German Pinscher is a family dog, as long as there are no small children in the family.
The Appearance of the German Pinscher
A German Pinscher is a medium-sized, muscular dog with an upright, proud stance. The physique is balanced square with a slightly sloping back towards the long tail. Its head is triangular with a moderate stop and long muzzle. The forward-folded ears are set high. The Pinscher’s eyes are dark brown and show an alert, attentive gaze.
The short-haired fur is striking. It’s smooth and shiny. Underneath, the musculature appears with every movement. The coat colors of the breed are:
- solid red
- solid brown
- lacquer black with red or tan markings
The brown markings of the two-tone Pinscher are in the area of the eyebrows and as a mask on the face. Badges are also found on the chest and inside of the barrels.
For a long time, it was customary to dock dogs’ tails and ears. This gave them a more severe look. Thanks to the docking ban in Germany, the animals are now allowed to keep all of their body parts. The hanging ears give them a friendlier face than cropped prick ears.
The size and weight of bitches and males do not fundamentally different. The dogs reach a height at the withers of 45 to 50 centimeters. The weight is 14 to 20 kilograms depending on the size.
When is a German Pinscher Fully Grown?
As a rule, the German Pinscher is fully grown after about 18 months.
Training and Keeping of the German Pinscher – This is Important to Consider
Due to their strength of character, self-confidence, and stubbornness, a German Pinscher is not an easy dog to train. It is therefore not suitable for beginners in dog ownership. The clever animals quickly recognize any inconsistency and shamelessly exploit it. If the upbringing is not absolutely consistent, a Pinscher could come up with the idea of educating its owner according to his ideas. However, with consistent training, the breed is very adaptable.
Consistent upbringing is not to be equated with rabid and loud upbringing methods. As with all dogs, a quiet and gentle consistency is the right choice. Positive behavior is reinforced with praise and rewards. A clear and firm “No” is usually sufficient as a measure of negative behavior. It is important that this measure is always taken. The slightest carelessness in upbringing is enough for the pinscher to take advantage of it.
The basics of dog training include building a close bond with the animal and patience. If there is a close relationship, the Pinscher is willing to accept his upbringing. The character of the pinscher should not be broken in the upbringing. He makes up the special charm of this dog. Anyone who decides on the breed should be prepared to accept their independence to a certain extent.
German Pinschers are active and active dogs. Their otherwise balanced nature requires long walks, games, and ideally dog sports every day. After a sufficient sports program, the animal behaves calmly and gently at home.
A German Pinscher traditionally has a hunting instinct. But he is not a hunting dog. As a barn dog, he mainly hunts rodents and frees houses and yards from these pests. Especially when hunting mice, he can compete with any cat. This so-called predator sharpness was always desired and was included in the breeding for many generations. Anyone who lives in a house in the country will appreciate the Pinscher’s hunting abilities. Since its hunting instinct is limited to rodents, the pinscher can walk without a leash if trained well. Of course, this only applies where it is permitted.
Pinschers find optimal keeping conditions in a house with a garden in a rural area. If he gets enough exercise, the dog also feels comfortable in a flat in the city.
For good socialization, the dog should attend puppy school as a puppy. There he has contact with dogs of the same age. Puppies enjoy playing and romping together. The subsequent visit to the dog school makes sense for the dog and owner. The dog learns important rules and its owner learns how to continue training them with his new partner.
Diet of the German Pinscher
In terms of feeding, a German Pinscher is not demanding. In its traditional stable dog keeping, it often had to feed on rodents. If he finds mice, he may still use them as a welcome snack.
Most animals of the breed like dry food as well as canned wet food. They are also suitable for barfing, i.e. feeding them raw meat. Barf feed is available from slaughterhouses and specialty shops. It is mostly obtained from slaughterhouse waste from poultry, cattle, sheep, and other animals. Only raw pork is not suitable as BARF food.
Many dogs enjoy a varied diet of dry food, fresh or cooked meat, and the occasional canned food. Vegetable flakes or boiled vegetables are suitable as a supplement to pure meat feeding. It is important to note which foods are unhealthy and sometimes even toxic for dogs.
Feeding the pinscher should be done once or twice a day. Dog biscuits, dried meat, and chews made from cowhide are suitable as snacks. Most dogs love raw bones. However, these can cause painful constipation. Injuries in the throat and digestive tract caused by bone splinters cannot be ruled out either. The very hard marrow bones are particularly dangerous. The hole in the middle allows them to slip over the dog’s jaw. They can then often be difficult to remove.
These foods do not belong in a dog’s bowl:
- raw potatoes
- tomatoes and eggplant
- grapes and raisins
- rhubarb
- cape gooseberries
- raw pork
- pork bone
- onions, garlic, and leeks
- legumes
- nuts and chestnuts
- raw elderberries
- stone fruit
- chocolate and foods containing cocoa
- sugar and sugar substitutes
- cooked bones
- avocado
What Does a German Pinscher Eat?
The breed is not fastidious and eats both dry and wet food, as well as raw and cooked meat.
Healthy – Life Expectancy & Common Diseases
German Pinschers are very hardy and healthy dogs. Breeders of the breed traditionally refrain from overbreeding. Basically, the breed is bred to this day as it was over 100 years ago. This makes the German Pinscher one of the most natural dog breeds. At the same time, a reputable breeder will check for previous illnesses in the lines of the parent animals before mating. Hereditary diseases, which occur in most dog breeds, are rare in the Pinscher. These hereditary diseases include:
- color vision
- hip dysplasia
- blood clotting disorder
The only health issue that is more likely to affect a German Pinscher is ear necrosis. The edges of the ears are made of very thin tissue and have little hair. Therefore, they are prone to injury. The agile dog in particular tends to move quickly in bushes and bushes. Small branches or thorns can cause tears in the edges of the ears.
Since the dogs are always on the move on walks and during sports, they do not suffer from sensitivity to cold. A pinscher is a nature boy and therefore generally not sensitive. However, this is also a reason why its owner must ensure an economical activity program on hot summer days. Otherwise, the dog would be willing to exhaust himself completely.
Some representatives of the breed tend to be overweight and overweight. Veterinarians and breeders provide information about the optimal amount of feeding that is tailored to the dog and its activity.
Due to its good physical constitution, a German Pinscher is between 12 and 14 years old.
Grooming of the German Pinscher
The smooth-haired dog is absolutely easy to care for. It is enough to stroke his coat with a soft brush once a week. The ears should be checked and cleaned with a damp cloth. Feeling the paws shows whether there are stones, awns, or plant parts between the pads. Nail clipping is only necessary for dogs that rarely walk over asphalt or rough pavement.
With their very short, smooth coat and no undercoat, Pinschers have a limited tendency to shed. If the dog is brushed regularly, dead hair comes off and does not collect in the dog’s favorite places.
German Pinscher Activities and Training
Both are important issues for Pinscher owners. Active dogs need a lot of exercises. Long walks, jogging, in-line skating, or bicycling are ideal for meeting the breed’s exercise needs. However, everything only applies to adult animals. In growing dogs, the joints and muscles must first develop properly before they can be physically challenged.
Regular training is just as important as exercise. If you own a Pinscher, you have to train the dog for the rest of your life. Various dog sports are ideal for this. With the right combination, all the needs of the breed can be met. The following dog sports are recommended for the German Pinscher:
- obedience
- agility
- rally obedience
- dog frisbee
When choosing the type of sport, dog owners should make sure that they build on a partnership relationship. A sport to teach obedience does not make sense for this confident dog.
Good to Know: Special Features of the German Pinscher
The German Pinscher breed has been on the list of endangered domestic animal breeds since 2003. In the previous five years, the number of puppies born was between 160 and 220 per year. This signal aroused interest in the breed so the birth rate has now increased significantly.
How Much Does a German Pinscher Cost?
If you want to buy a puppy, you pay between $1,500 and $1,800 from a reputable breeder. A mix is occasionally offered at a much lower price.
Cons of the German Pinscher
What one dog owner sees as a disadvantage, another sees as an advantage. This confident dog is undoubtedly one of the hardest to train in its breed. If you want an absolutely obedient dog, you will find the nature of the pinscher a disadvantage. The same goes for the alertness of the breed. On the one hand, he protects his family with it, on the other hand, he does not always give visitors a friendly welcome.
There can be problems in families with small children. A German Pinscher clearly shows if he doesn’t like something. Since small children do not understand how to deal with dogs, the Pinscher could be dangerous for them.
Are Pinschers Barkers?
Pinschers are alert and point out unusual events. Still, they’re not groundless barkers.
Is the German Pinscher Right for Me?
The breed suits active individuals and families with larger children. He does not suit people who have no understanding of his independent character. If you are looking for a submissive dog, you should choose another breed. Neither does a German Pinscher fit into a family that spends little time with them. The dog always demands attention and wants to be the center of attention. He feels like a full member of the family and can get offended if left alone for a long time. A very important aspect is activity. It is essential for the balance of the dog. Owners of a Pinscher must therefore be very sporty. An occasional walk is not enough.