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Pinscher
Looking for a Pinscher?
Introduction
The Pinscher, also known as the German Pinscher, is a medium-sized working dog that weighs 25 to 45 pounds and stands 43 to 51 centimetres at the withers. It is intelligent and easy to train. The Pinscher is also an effective watchdog and guard dog, protective and devoted to its family. It is an active dog, playful and alert with lots of energy to spare. Its smooth coat is easy to maintain and groom. It has a lifespan of 12 to 14 years.
Are you thinking of opening your home to a German Pinscher? Read this brief background of this protective working dog to see if it suits you.
History
The Pinscher or German Pinscher originated in 15th century Germany, bred to be a ratter to control vermin. The breed was originally called Smooth and Wirehaired Pinscher. It is a cousin to the Doberman Pinscher, the Miniature Pinscher, Affenpinscher and the Schnauzers (Giant Schnauzer, Standard Schnauzer and Miniature Schnauzer).
In the mid-19th century, Pinschers became widely popular and worked to guard coaches on top of vermin control. However, the breed nearly went extinct during World Wars I and II but thanks to German fancier Werner Jung, the Pinscher breed was saved. In his efforts to revive the breed, he travelled all over Germany in 1958 looking for Pinschers on farms that produced the dogs we see today.
Today, German Pinschers remain popular but are more sought out as a companion dog and family pet because of their charming and loyal natures. The breed was first recognised and registered by the German Kennel Club in 1900. The Pinscher, albeit a rare breed, is recognised by The Kennel Club under the Working group. Since only a few puppies are registered in the UK per year, anyone who wants to own a Pinscher will need to register its interest and agree to be put on a waitlist.
Appearance and Grooming
The German Pinscher is a solid and medium-sized working dog with a square build. It is lean and muscular with a classic Pinscher look of a wedge-shaped head, oval-shaped eyes that always look alert, V-shaped ears, a black nose, and a perfectly strong scissor bite. Also, its tail is held slightly above and is often docked. The German Pinscher has a standard size of 25 to 45 pounds and 43 to 51 centimetres.
The Pinscher sports a short, glossy and smooth coat. The coat comes in various colours including black and blue with red markings, red, stag red (red with black hairs), and Isabella (bay or fawn colour). The markings should appear on the above the eyes, cheeks, lips, lower jaw, throat, chest and between the hock joint and feet. White markings are not acceptable on the show ring.
German Pinschers are low maintenance on the grooming front. It only needs weekly brushing to remove dead hair and keep it matt-free. Bathe only as needed, especially when they start having a doggie odour. Since active Pinschers almost always wear their toenails down, just trim nails once a month. As part of dog grooming, also check the ears for signs of infection or excess wax build-up, and brush the dog's teeth at least twice a week to prevent gum disease and bad breath.
Temperament and Intelligence
The German Pinscher is a fearless, imposing and dedicated companion dog. It is completely devoted, affectionate and protective of its family and is an excellent guard dog, capable of taking down intruders. Despite its tough disposition, the Pinscher is dependent on its humans and will love nothing more than to be part of family activities. Since this working dog is highly energetic, it is well suited for experienced dog owners who have active lifestyles.
German Pinschers are independent but are highly trainable, possessing a strong desire to please. They can learn quickly and perform better when rewarded. However, it is crucial to establish leadership early on, so they don't start testing boundaries. This breed excels in obedience, tracking and agility trials. Also, Pinschers are excellent therapy and service dogs because of their even temperaments and their desire to be the centre of attention.
This breed makes an excellent family pet and is suitable for families with older children. Regardless of the children's age, supervision is required to make sure playtime stays calm. When it comes to other household animals or pets, the Pinscher gets on well with other dogs, and even with cats, it grows up with. However, care must be taken around smaller animals. Pinschers were once bred to be ratters, and they will not hesitate to give chase when their prey drive kicks in and takes over.
Nutrition and Feeding
A typical serving for an adult German Pinscher is 1 to 12 cup of high-quality dry dog food per day. The diet of a dog must be taken seriously since it will affect their health. The best thing to do is to consult with a vet and ask for recommended diet tailored to your Pinscher's needs.
Here is a typical daily calorie need of adult German Pinschers weighing 35 pounds:
- Senior and less active: up to 890 calories daily
- Typical adults: up to 1000 calories daily
- Physically active/working dogs: up to 1115 calories daily
Giving your Pinscher the proper diet and balanced nutrition should be easy with the help of a vet or a canine nutritionist. However, remember that when you buy commercial dog food, select one that rich in animal protein and is specially formulated for medium-sized dogs.
Health and Exercise
The Pinscher is a generally healthy breed. It has a lifespan of 12 to 14 years, which is not impossible to attain if the dog is well cared for and loved. However, the Pinscher is still prone to suffer from some health disorders such as Hip Dysplasia, Cataracts, Von Willebrand's Disease, and some thyroid and heart problems. It is best to ask for vet advice, especially for preventive measures.
Like most Pinscher breeds, the German Pinscher is an active and intelligent dog and as such must be given the right amount of physical and mental stimulation. It will require at least 1 hour of daily exercises and a chance to romp in a secure back garden off the lead.
Cost of Ownership
If you are interested in caring for a German Pinscher, you would need to go on a waiting list as this breed is rare in the UK. The price for a well-bred pedigree puppy is at least £300. To ensure it stays healthy at whatever age, you will need to feed your dog high quality dog food and treats, which can set you back £20-£30 a month. You would also need to spend on dog accessories such as leads, collars, eating bowls, crates, beds, and toys. The combined initial cost for these things is estimated at £200.
Moreover, you need to consider paying for pet insurance to offset veterinary bills in case your dog suddenly falls ill or gets into an accident. Depending on where you live and your dog’s health and age, a time-limited cover can cost £20 a month while a lifetime one can cost up to £50 a month. Generally, insurance companies do not cover routine veterinary consultations, initial vaccinations, boosters, and neutering or spaying, so you may also have to spend an additional £1200 annually for these services.
On average, the minimum cost to care for a German Pinscher is £70-£150 per month depending on your pet insurance premium. This estimate does not include the rates for other services such as walking and grooming.
Pinscher Breed Highlights
- The Pinscher, also known as the German Pinscher, is a medium-sized working dog.
- It is intelligent and eager to please, which makes it easy to train.
- It is devoted, affectionate and protective of its family and are excellent guard dogs.
- Pinschers are suitable for experienced dog owners with active lifestyles.
- They are also excellent therapy and service dogs.
Are you sure the Pinscher is the best breed for you? Take the Pet Breed Selector Quiz to find your perfect breed match.
Dog Breed Selector QuizAre you ready to take home a German Pinscher? If you want to explore other options, check out our Pet Finder.
Disclaimer:
The information, including measurements, prices and other estimates, on this page is provided for general reference purposes only.
The information, including measurements, prices and other estimates, on this page is provided for general reference purposes only.