Dog
Group:
Working 
German Pinscher Champions
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Pronunciation:
dō-bər-mən-ˈpin-chər
Breed Description:
The German Pinscher breed of dog is versatile and intense, a strong and elegant medium-sized dog that is both playful and tenacious. He was originally developed as a watch dog and for vermin control, and he still excels in both areas, but he is also a first-rate companion. His short coat can be black, blue, brown, fawn or red; some have red or tan markings. The German Pinscher breed of dog is muscular, with moderate bone. His head is powerful and elongated, resembling a blunt wedge in both frontal and profile views. His expression is sharp, alert and responsive, with medium size, dark, oval eyes and ears high, symmetrical, and erect (when cropped). Uncropped ears are V-shaped with a folding pleat, or small standing ears carried evenly upright. His cheeks are muscled and flat. His nose is full and black. Lips are likewise black. The bite is a strong scissors bite. The neck of the German Pinscher breed of dog is elegant and strong, moderately thick, with an arched nape. His skin is tight at the neck, with no wrinkles, sagging, or dewlaps. The highest point of his topline is the withers, sloping slightly downward through the muscular loin. His back is short, firm, and level. His tail is moderately set and carried above the horizontal, although it is typically docked between the second and third joints. His shoulders are strongly muscled, yet flat and well laid back, and the legs of the German Pinscher breed of dog are straight and well boned, perfectly vertical. His feet are short, round, compact with firm dark pads and dark nails. The toes are well closed and arched like cat feet. The German Pinscher breed of dog has a short, dense, glossy coat, smooth and close-fitting. Acceptable colors are fawn (Isabella) to red (including red with intermingling of black hairs), black and blues with red/tan markings that are distributed as follows: cheeks, lips, lower jaw, above eyes, throat, on forechest as two triangles distinctly separated from each other, at metatarsus or pasterns, forelegs, feet, inner side of hind legs and below tail. White markings are considered undesirable, but a few white hairs are okay. The German Pinscher's trot is relaxed and powerful, with strong drive and free front extension. At the trot, his back remains level. The feet do not cross or hit one another.
Temperament:
The German Pinscher breed of dog is alert, independent, deliberate and somewhat wary of new people and situations. At the same time, he is playful, loyal and utterly fearless. His exceptional intelligence lends itself well to high-level training. He does, however, need a firm and fair trainer lest he think he is the one in charge. He should be socialized from puppyhood to mitigate some of his natural guardedness.
Height:
17 to 20 inches
Weight:
31 to 44 pounds
Health Problems:
Health problems associated with the German Pinscher breed of dog include dysplasia, cataracts and von Willebrand disease.
Living Conditions:
The German Pinscher breed of dog is highly energetic. While his small sizes makes him adaptable to apartment living, he is at his best when he can use his intelligence and physical prowess by serving as both a family watch dog and a vermin eradicator around the homestead -- as well as participating in long hikes, games, and family outings. He values a yard in which to play.
Exercise:
The German Pinscher breed of dog needs a significant amount of exercise. Without it, he may become restless, bored and destructive. He loves all sorts of obedience trials and athletic games.
Life Expectancy:
12 to 14 years
Grooming:
The German Pinscher's grooming requirements are minimal. His dense but short cut stays tidy with only occasional brushing.
Origin:
The German Pinscher breed of dog originated in Germany, and has been around in close to its modern form for centuries. It was originally called the smooth-haired pinscher, but was officially recognized in Germany as the German Pinscher in 1879. He was developed early on for use in home protection and vermin control, holding his own against all manner of above-ground pests. Comments
The standards for all the breeds accepted to the AKC are used here for breed information, and those not part of the AKC are resourced from FCI standard information, where it is written and coded into the club rules for those breeds.
