What makes the German Pinscher Unique?
Although German Pinschers were historically popular as vermin catchers, today members of this breed are more often found as family companions and show dogs.
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Is the German Pinscher Right For You?
These fun loving, affectionate dogs are equally suited to life in rural or urban environments provided they get sufficient amounts of exercise on a regular basis. German Pinschers make excellent family pets for households with considerate older children. However, these dogs are not a good choice for houses that already contain other animals.This is particularly true if the pet in question is a rodent of some sort because German Pinschers will undoubtedly view these creatures as prey.
In 5 Words
- Lively
- Intelligent
- Loving
- Familial
- Spirited
Characteristics
Learn About the German Pinscher
Description
General Description
There is a great deal of similarity in the appearances of the Doberman and German Pinschers, with the latter being somewhat smaller in stature. Their muscular, compact bodies give the German Pinschers an athletic appearance. These medium-sized dogs are also relatively square shaped. They were designed to be strong enough to withstand their vermin adversaries but lightweight enough to run quickly if the occasion called for it. Members of this breed have acute senses that help make them avid hunters. German Pinschers are additionally imposing enough that they can serve as watchdogs and theft deterrents without being too large or cumbersome for most households.
Size
Members of this breed should ideally stand about 17 to 20 inches (43 to 48 centimeters) in height. Dogs of both genders average between 25 and 36 pounds (11 and 16 kilograms) in weight.
Coat
German Pinschers have a single coat that is glossy in appearance and smooth in texture. These dogs generally come in red, black and tan, and a variety known as ‘stag red’ where the dogs have black hairs sprinkled throughout their coats. German Pinschers may also be blue or fawn colored.
Short History of the German Pinscher
It is not entirely known how the breed came about. However, there is a possibility that German Pinschers may be the descendants of ratting dog lines that have existed in their homeland since the Middle Ages. It is fairly certain German Pinschers were in existence by the late 1700s, because this is when they were first depicted in paintings. The dogs were also mentioned a hundred years later in a dog book as Smooth Haired Pinschers but this name did not stick.
German Pinschers originally served as farm dogs that were tasked with keeping rats and other pests at bay. These dogs additionally served their owners as estate and family guardians. Many different modern breeds including the Doberman Pinschers and the Miniature Pinschers are descended from German Pinschers. By 1895, the breed had been officially recognized in its’ homeland.
Unfortunately, the two World Wars had a detrimental effect on the breed’s overall population. Both the pure black and salt and pepper varieties died out around this time but thanks to the efforts of a man named Werner Jung the German Pinschers were saved from extinction. These dogs eventually made their way over to the United States during the latter portions of the 20th century. In 2003. members of this breed were officially admitted to the American Kennel Club (AKC) as part of their working group.
Temperament
These fun loving, affectionate dogs are equally suited to life in rural or urban environments provided they get sufficient amounts of exercise on a regular basis. German Pinschers make excellent family pets for households with considerate older children. However, these dogs are not a good choice for houses that already contain other animals.This is particularly true if the pet in question is a rodent of some sort because German Pinschers will undoubtedly view these creatures as prey.
While members of this breed will occasionally get along with indoor cats if they have grown up with one another, owners are nonetheless advised not to take their chances by leaving cats and German Pinschers alone together. Outside any cat is fair game and this tendency could have tragic consequences. German Pinschers may also behave in an aggressive fashion towards other animals, even those that they know well. Owners with two or more dogs may find themselves constantly refereeing arguments over which pet is in charge of the group.
Members of this breed are often wary of strangers and they will certainly bark to give warning if unfamiliar people approach their domain. Even German Pinschers that have not been trained will actively seek to defend their property from invaders. Therefore, it is best to properly socialize and train these dogs from a young age so that they can correctly identify what is a threat and what is not.
Caring for Your German Pinscher
General Health
German Pinschers are typically born in litters averaging about 7 puppies. At that time, these generally healthy dogs have a lifespan expectancy of 12 years or more. However, members of this breed do suffer from a number of hereditary conditions that are a direct result of their limited genetic pool. Hip dysplasia, cardiac diseases, cataracts, von Willebrand disease, and immune deficiency problems have been noted in members of this breed. Some of these ailments can be treated if they are caught earlier enough so regular vet visits are a must for German Pinschers.
Care
Daily
Members of this high energy breed need several hours of daily exercise. They also enjoy playing games with their owners or participating in dog sports. German Pinschers additionally benefit from having a fenced in yard where they can play on a regular basis.
Weekly
Dog owners should clean their pet’s teeth a few times per week in order to promote good oral health.
Monthly
Parasite prevention medications are a must for all dog breeds and these products should generally be administered once a month to keep pests at bay.
Grooming & Bathing
Members of this breed will need to be bathed every three months unless they become dirty before then. It is also a good idea to brush out a German Pinscher’s fur once a week so that its’ home doesn’t become covered with dog hairs. Owners will additionally want to trim their pet’s toenails and clean out its’ ears on a regular basis for health reasons. It is a good idea to get the dog in question accustomed to these practices when he or she is young so that they will behave properly during the grooming process when they get older.
Exercise & Training
This is not a breed for inexperienced pet owners for a number of reasons. German Pinschers are independent thinkers and they are not inclined to be obedient unless they see a clear incentive to do so. Yet these dogs are responsive to instruction and, as is the case with most breeds, they do best when their lessons are presented in a consistent fashion. However, firm approach to training is beneficial with these dogs because they often attempt to manipulate weak-willed owners. Of course, kindness never comes amiss and harshness is to be avoided when training any breed. Owners should also be aware that German Pinschers are instinctively driven to protect their humans and chase small animals.. Therefore, these dogs should never be allowed off their leashes in city environments.
German Pinscher Picture Gallery
