German Pinscher Profile

Other Names: Standard Pinscher, Glatthaariger Pinscher, Pinscher, Smooth-haired Pinscher

Country of origin: Germany

Dog Group Kennel Club: Working

General appearance:

The German Pinscher is a well balanced, smooth coated, medium sized dog with elegant and flowing outlines, but strong and well muscled. They are tall terriers, with longer than usual legs. They are smooth coated, and one hundred years ago they came in the same litter as Schnauzers.  German Pinschers have drop ears, or they can be cropped. They have dark eyes and can be any solid color from fawn to stag red, as well as black with tan markings or blue with red or tan markings. They are smooth in coat, glossy and coarse.

Colours: fawn, red, black and blues with red/tan markings

Size:

Bitch    43-48 cms (17-19 ins)

Dog    43-48 cms (17-19 ins)

Weight:

Bitch 10kg (23lb) - 16kg (35 lb)

Dog  10kg (23lb) - 16kg (35 lb)

Temperament:

The German Pinscher can be an ideal companion dog. This rare breed has a sense of humor, is brave, not squeamish, sober, and have considerable stamina. It is lively but docile, quite versatile, and a vocal guard dog. This breed only barks when it feels it is necessary, which may be often. Visitors will be announced with loud barking but then things usually calm down quickly. This breed needs to know that when the family is gone, it owns everything and when the family is home it owns nothing. They are youthful well into their older years, being playful and exuberant. They can sometimes be manipulative. The German Pinschers are loyal and vigilant. They can be territorial and possessive of their toys, space or family.

Movement: Free, well balanced and vigorous with good reach in front and strong rotary driving action from rear

Care and training:

The strong, smooth, glossy coat requires little grooming. An occasional brushing to remove dead hair is all that is needed. This breed is an average shedder. They do need exercise, however, to keep in shape. They will love a free romp off the leash.

Consistency is the key to training a German Pinscher. This intelligent breed is very eager to learn and if given the proper training, will thrive. The German Pinscher requires a lot of exercise. They will enjoy running alongside you when you bicycle, playing in the yard, or a walk around the block.

Overall Exercise: 60 - 80 minutes per day
This breed has a high stamina and characteristics of being tierless.

Feeding requirements: An easy and non fussy. Do not over feed this breed.

Exercise: Low

Grooming: Low

Noise: Med

Personal Protection: Med

Suitability As Guard Dog: Low

Level of Aggression: Med

Compatibility With Other Animals: Med

Suitablity for Children: Med

Often docked? Yes

Average litter: 6 - 8

Life expectancy (yrs):12 - 14

Health issues: German Pinschers sometimes have eye problems and hip dysplasia.

History: The German Pinscher dates back to the 1700s. The German Pinscher has been recognized in Germany since 1879, and protected and promoted by the German Pinscher-Schnauzer Club since 1894. German farmers often used the breed to track down and kill vermin, as well as a guard dog. Though small, they did not back down from fights, and their name proved them reliable: Pinscher in German means "biter". They are thought to have come partly from the Black and Tan Terrier. German Pinschers are actually closely related to the Schnauzer, both being born in the same litters up until the 20th century. Litters contained smooth haired pups, or pinschers, as well as course haired pups, schnauzers. Soon the club declared that they must be separately bred, and required proof of three generations of smooth haired coats for registration. As the breed grew in their smooth-haired fashion and made its way to other countries, the Doberman Pinscher was developed in part by the German Pinscher, as well as the Miniature Pinscher.