Description: The German Pinscher is a medium to small sized dog standing up to 20 inches in height and weighing between 25 and 35 lbs. They have a square body that appears muscular and powerful with a short glossy coat. Their coat can be black and tan, fawn, blue, red and tan, although only black & tan and solid red are allowed for show. In some countries it is common practice to have the German Pinschers tails docked and their ears cropped however this has been banned in most European countries. They have a long neck with a blunt wedge shaped face with oval shaped eyes.
History: The German Pinscher is thought to have developed from European herding and guardian dogs, and can most likely trace its roots back to the 1500's. They are from the same stock as the standard schnauzer and before the breeds were separated it was not unusual for them to come from the same litters. While separating the two breeds a dog could not be called a German Pinscher unless it was a third generation, of smooth haired dogs. This was to make sure that none of the wire haired (Schnauzer) traits were left in the dog. During the wars they suffered a loss of three varieties; this included the salt and pepper colored, the harlequin and the solid black. In 2003 they were recognized by the AKC and have been used of farms as vermin destroyers, to heard livestock, as a watch dog and as a family pet. To this day their numbers are still low though breeders are trying to improve this.
Temperament: The German Pinschers temperament tends to be hereditary, so if both the parents are well mannered it's a safe bet that the puppies will be too. Overall they should be a loving and friendly dog that would defend its family to the end and beyond. However, because of this, it's important to train them well, as they can be excessively protective. They do require an experienced owner, as they will easily take control of the house from an owner who is too mild for them. They are intelligent and versatile dogs, so are easily trained, they can however become bored of the repetitiveness of training and therefore become stubborn.
Health Issues: The German Pinscher has relatively few problems. Unfortunately this is due to the fact that there are not many of them and so there have been only a few surveys done on them. They are however prone to hip dysplasia, cataracts, Willebrands disease, thyroid disorders and Cardiac disease. Because of their small gene pool any dogs with heart problems should be removed from breeding programs. Their average life expectancy is between 12-14 years. Grooming: As an average shedder the German Pinscher needs very little attention other than a regular brushing to remove any dead hairs and any dirt in the coat. This will also help keep their coat looking smooth and shiny.
Living Conditions: The German Pinscher could handle living in an apartment as long as it was given plenty of exercise, they need at least an hours exercise a day. The ideal situation for them would be a good sized garden so they can run around, however it will need to be fenced as they have a tendency to run off chasing things. They also get on well with other animals including small animals and children.
