German Pinscher E-Book

Sharon Morgan

• Herausgeber: CompanionHouse Books
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Serie: Comprehensive Owner's Guide
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 252

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2012

Beschreibung

A prototypical working dog whose ancestry traces to the 15th century, the German Pinscher qualifies as a true Renaissance dog, excelling as a watchdog, farm dog, exterminator, show and competition dog, babysitter and home companion. Balanced and unexaggerated, the German Pinscher is medium in size, short in coat, muscular and elegant. Temperamentally the breed is both territorial and protective, discreet with its bark yet vivacious and ever alert. For the right person willing to be owned by an assertive, intelligent dog, the Pinscher promises close family companionship, good health and puppylike antics for many years to come. This Special Rare-Breed Edition dedicated to the German Pinscher presents a complete history of the breed in Europe and its arrival to the United States. Authors Sharon Morgan and Dee Gannon, breeders and exhibitors of the German Pinscher, offer an insightful look into the breed's characteristics and attributes. Both the American Kennel Club standard and The Kennel Club (UK) standard are presented, with the latter amplified by British breeder and authority Gloria Cuthbert. Illustrated throughout with color photography, this new Comprehensive Owner's Guide presents information on selecting and rearing a puppy, house-training and basic obedience, grooming, feeding, showing and much more. A special chapter on canine healthcare by Dr. Lowell Ackerman presents vital information that every owner needs to care for his dog.

Leseprobe

Physical Characteristics of the German Pinscher

(from the American Kennel Club breed standard)

Head: Powerful, elongated without the occiput being too pronounced and resembles a blunt wedge in both frontal and profile views.

Ears: Set high, symmetrical and carried erect when cropped. If uncropped, they are V-shaped with a folding pleat or small standing ears carried evenly upright.

Skull: Flat, unwrinkled from occiput to stop when in repose. The stop is slight but distinct.

Eyes: Medium size, dark, oval in shape without the appearance of bulging. The eyelid should be tight and the eyeball non-protruding.

Neck: Elegant and strong, of moderate thickness and length, nape elegantly arched. The skin is tight, closely fitting to the dry throat without wrinkles, sagging or dewlaps.

Muzzle: Parallel and equal in length to the topskull and ends in a blunt wedge.

Bite: Strong, scissors bite with complete dentition and white teeth.

Nose: Full and black.

Chest: Moderately wide with well-sprung ribs, and when viewed from the front, appears to be oval.

Forequarters: Sloping shoulder blades are strongly muscled, yet flat and well laid back. They are well angled and slope forward. Forelegs straight and well boned.

Color: Isabella (fawn), to red in various shades to stag red (red with intermingling of black hairs), black and blues with red/tan markings. In bi-colored dogs, sharply marked dark and rich red/tan markings are desirable.

Back: Short, firm and level.

Topline: The withers form the highest point of the topline, which slopes slightly toward the rear, extending in a straight line from behind the withers, through the well-muscled loin to the faintly curved croup.

Loin: Well muscled.

Body: Compact and strong, so as to permit greater flexibility and agility.

Hindquarters: The thighs are strongly muscled and in balance with forequarters. The stifles are well bent and well boned, with good angulation.

Coat: Short and dense, smooth and close lying. Shiny and covers the body without bald spots.

Feet: Short, round, compact with firm dark pads and dark nails. The toes are well closed and arched like cat feet.

Size: The ideal height at the highest point of the withers for a dog or bitch is 17–20 inches.

Contents

History of the German Pinscher

Learn about the development of the German Pinscher in its native land, its relation to other common German breeds and its role in the creation of another canine favorite, the Doberman Pinscher. Also meet the breed’s proponents who worked tirelessly to save the breed from extinction. Finally travel to America to discover how the breed worked its way toward AKC acceptance and a permanent place in the hearts of dog lovers.

Characteristics of the German Pinscher

A devoted and highly intelligent companion, learn about the German Pinscher’s physical characteristics, especially a detailed section on the breed’s coat. In the section on the breed’s personality you will discover that the German Pinscher is affectionate enough to be a loving member of the family and fearless enough to be an excellent guardian. Sections on living with this breed and health considerations are also provided.

Breed Standard for the German Pinscher

Gain an understanding of the breed standard. Learn the requirements of a well-bred German Pinscher by studying the description of the breed and comparing breed standards of different countries. Both show dogs and pets must possess key characteristics as outlined in the breed standards.

Your Puppy German Pinscher

Find out about how to locate a well-bred German Pinscher puppy. Discover which questions to ask the breeder and what to expect when visiting the litter. Prepare for your puppy-accessory shopping spree. Also discussed are home safety, the first trip to the vet, socialization and solving basic puppy problems.

Proper Care of Your German Pinscher

Cover the specifics of taking care of your German Pinscher every day: feeding for the puppy, adult and senior dog; grooming, including coat care, ears, eyes, nails, bathing and more; and exercise needs for your dog. Also discussed are the essentials of ID, traveling with your dog and boarding.

Training Your German Pinscher

Begin with the basics of training the puppy and adult dog. Learn the principles of house-training the German Pinscher, including the use of crates and basic scent instincts. Enter puppy kindergarten, introduce the pup to his collar and leash and progress to the basic commands. Find out about obedience classes and other activities.

Healthcare of Your German Pinscher

By Lowell Ackerman DVM, DACVD

Become your dog’s healthcare advocate and a well-educated canine keeper. Select a skilled and able veterinarian. Discuss pet insurance, vaccinations and infectious diseases, the neuter/spay decision and a sensible, effective plan for parasite control, including fleas, ticks and worms.

Showing Your German Pinscher

Step into the center ring and find out about the world of showing pure-bred dogs. Here’s how to get started in AKC shows, how they are organized and what’s required for your dog to become a champion. Also take a leap into the realms of obedience and agility trials and tracking tests.

Behavior of Your German Pinscher

Analyze the canine mind to understand what makes your German Pinscher tick. Issues discussed include different types of aggression, separation anxiety, sex-related behaviors, chewing, digging and jumping up.

KENNEL CLUB BOOKS®GERMAN PINSCHER ISBN 13: 978-1-59378-355-6eISBN: 978-1-62187-036-4

Copyright © 2007 • Kennel Club Books® • An Imprint of I-5 Press™ • A Division of I-5 Publishing, LLC™ 3 Burroughs, Irvine, CA 92618 USA Cover Design Patented: US 6,435,559 B2 • Printed in South Korea

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by photostat, scanner, microfilm, xerography or any other means, or incorporated into any information retrieval system, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the copyright owner.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Morgan, Sharon.

German pinscher / by Sharon Morgan and Dee Gannon.

p. cm.

1. German pinscher. I. Gannon, Dee. II. Title.

SF429.G367M67 2007

636.73--dc22

2006016292

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Photography by:

Ashbey Photography, Paulette Braun, Fritz Clark/The Standard Image, Juliette Cunliffe, Tom Digiacomo, Phyllis Ensley/Pet Action Shots, Isabelle Français, Bruce Harkins, JC Photo, Carol Ann Johnson, Bill Jonas, Bill Meyer, Tom and Linda Nutting/A-N Productions, Rubin, David Sombach Photography, Tattle Tail Pet Photography, Michael Trafford, Tom Weigand and Julie Williams.

Illustrations by Patricia Peters.

Not a miniature Doberaman Pinscher, the German Pinscher is actually a forebear of his larger Doberman relative and is closely related to the Standard Schnauzer.

“From time immemorial, a typical kind of dog shared the life of the southern German rural population. The species was about nineteen inches tall, had a smooth or wiry coat of an inconspicuous color ranging from brown over gray to black. Known as the benchur or rattenfanger, they were mainly used as watchdogs and vermin killers in and around the homesteads. From this primal stock, modern cynology has developed well-defined pinschers and schnauzers of different sizes, coats and colors.”

John Gallant The World of the Schnauzers

It is generally accepted that the German Pinscher and the Standard Schnauzer owe their origins to the common farm dog known as the Rattler that had become firmly established in Germany in the 15th century. These dogs were used to guard the farm and to kill vermin. They came in two varieties: the rough-coated and the smooth-coated. The smooth-coated variety is most likely the ancestor of the German Pinscher. The smooth-coated pinscher is also credited as being one of the ancestors of the Doberman Pinscher, which began to be developed in Germany in the 1890s. The rough-coated variety eventually developed into the Standard Schnauzer.

HARLEQUIN PINSCHER

An extinct cousin of the German Pinscher is the Harlequin Pinscher, recognized by the Reichsverband fur das Deutsche Hundewesen (RDH), the governing canine agency in Germany, in the 1920s and accepted for showing by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale. The breed was distinguished for its harlequin coloration, described in the standard as “spotted grey, or black, or dark on a white or clear ground, with or without tan markings.” The coat was short and shiny, like that of the Pinscher, and the dog was square in build yet still elegant. The breed had the same alert, lively character that makes the German Pinscher so desirable, described in the standard as “roguish and attentive.” In size, the Harlequin Pinscher stood 17 to 19 inches (43 to 48 centimeters), the same size as the German standard for the Pinscher today.

While there are a variety of references in the writings of the early and mid-19th century to both the rough- and the smooth-coated pinscher-type dogs, it was not until 1880 that the first breed standard for the pinscher was written. Allowed colors included rust-yellow, gray-yellow, black, iron-gray, silver-gray, flax-blonde, dim gray-white and white with gray dappling.

In 1895 Josef Berta founded the first Pinscher Club in Germany to register both the smooth- and rough-coated pinschers. During the ensuing years, the smooth-coated pinscher was all but forgotten amid his rough-coated counterparts. The few smooths that were registered came primarily from litters produced by rough parents. Despite their low numbers, Josef Berta insisted that the smooth-coated pinscher continue to be registered and exhibited.

In 1907 Dr. Zurhellen founded the Bayrischen Schnauzerklub in Munich. In 1918 Berta and Zurhellen merged the two clubs to form the Pinscher-Schnauzer-Klub, which exists to this day. This joint organization divided the pinscher population into six distinct breeds, which are the Affenpinscher, Miniature Pinscher, German Pinscher, Miniature Schnauzer, Standard Schnauzer and Giant Schnauzer. In the first joint stud book published in late 1925, litters and individuals of both pinscher and schnauzer breeds were listed. As time went on, records were kept of breedings, and, after three generations of producing a specific type of dog, individual registrations were issued by breed name.

The first German Pinscher registered by breed name in the Pinscher-Schnauzer-Klub stud book was Alexius Schnauzerlust, who was whelped on June 24, 1917. He was salt and pepper in color, as were numerous others subsequently registered. Finally, in 1923, the breed standard for the German Pinscher was reviewed and changed in order to encourage the breeding of the German Pinscher. Allowed colors were bright red, red/brown to dark red/brown, black with red markings, yellow or red/yellow in various tones and salt and pepper in various tones without any rust coloring. The breed was being forced to stand on its own, and only in rare cases were the smooth-coated offspring of one or more Schnauzer parents registered.

In the early history of the German Pinscher, there were other pinscher types similar to the German Pinscher that appeared or were created. Of the first registered German Pinschers in Germany, a number were salt and pepper in color. This color was sustained by the Pinscher-Schnauzer-Klub into the 1930s, but most of the German Pinscher breeders felt that this color was too close to the Schnauzer and have not produced this color for many decades. During the 1930s and 1940s, Dr. Dauber produced a number of solid black German Pinschers. His breedings were the only ones ever entered into the stud books and none has been registered since the early 1940s.

DOBERMAN RELATIONS

Although not nearly as popular as his larger cousin, the German Pinscher is the forerunner of the Doberman Pinscher. While Herr Louis Dobermann used several different breeds to create the Doberman, his breeding program originated with his two Pinschers, Schnupp and Bisart. At the turn of the 20th century, a breeder named Herr Goller was offering for sale a new breed, the Doberman Pinscher. He wrote of this new breed that he was convinced that it had sprung from crosses between the Thuringian German Shepherd, the smooth-haired Pointer, the blue Great Dane and, most significantly, the German smooth-haired Pinscher.

A PINCH OF SALT AND PEPPER

The popular coloration in the schnauzer breeds, salt/pepper, is not permitted in the German Pinscher today, though in the early part of the 20th century it was tolerated. The salt/pepper coloration was only permitted when the dogs were bred out in this color for at least three generations, which is to say that they were not smooth versions of the ever-popular Standard Schnauzer of this color.

Following World War II, the German Pinscher almost declined into extinction. No German Pinscher litters were registered in West Germany between the years 1949 and 1958. The few German Pinschers that remained were rapidly aging beyond their ability to reproduce. Werner Jung, the breed warden for the Pinscher-Schnauzer-Klub, stated publicly that the club had neglected the breed to the point of extinction and that nobody seemed to care. Jung then abandoned his 25 years of work with the Giant Schnauzer to take on the revitalization of the German Pinscher breed.

While the German Pinscher was dying out in West Germany, several litters a year were still being registered in East Germany. In 1957 Jung was fortunate to acquire a pure-bred bitch from one of these litters. Kitti v. Boestrand Bsg was black with red markings. She was not regarded as the best example for breeding but was adequate as a starting point. Jutta Jung, a pinscher-type black bitch that has been described as an oversized Miniature Pinscher, was also selected and registered with the Pinscher-Schnauzer-Klub as German Pinscher foundation stock. There were no pure-bred German Pinscher males available, but there were males of the pinscher type that could be used to recreate the German Pinscher. Jung carefully selected three oversized Miniature Pinscher males. These were Illo Fischer (black), Fuerst Jung (red) and Onzo Ilgen (bronze or chocolate).

Jung decided to create two bloodlines: one line from Jutta Jung and the other line from Kitti v. Boestrand Bsg. The offspring were then interbred as Jung moved forward with revitalizing the German Pinscher. From 1958 through 1968, Jung produced 34 litters for a total of 158 puppies. Most, if not all, of the German Pinschers today trace their ancestry back to these five dogs.

In 1960 three German Pinschers were awarded the title of Bundesseiger, and four others were rated excellent at the Frankfurt-am-Main show. At this point, it was said that Jung had succeeded in bringing the German Pinscher back from the brink of extinction. Today the German Pinscher is well established worldwide and is easily identifiable.

The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) recognized the German Pinscher in 1957. The FCI standard was prepared in conjunction with the Pinscher-Schnauzer-Klub. Most other countries have used the FCI standard as the basis for drafting their own standards according to the requirements imposed by their individual kennel clubs. While many countries are affiliated with the FCI, there are some such as the United States, Great Britain, Canada and Japan that are independent organizations and accept breeds on an individual basis. The Kennel Club of Great Britain recognized the German Pinscher in 1988. The United Kennel Club (UKC), the second largest American all-breed registry, recognized the breed as part of the Terrier Group in 1991. The Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) recognized the breed as part of the Non-Sporting Group in 2000. The American Kennel Club (AKC), the main registering body in the US, recognized the breed as a member of the Working Group in 2003.

ANCIENT ORIGINS

Of the five types of dog identified from fossil remains from about 4500 BC, the Pinscher most likely evolved from a spitz-type dog. This Peat or Lake Dog, found in Switzerland, Germany, eastern and northern Europe is thought to be the ancestor of the modern-day Spitz dogs, like the Pomeranian, German Spitz and American Eskimo. A form of these dogs, with a more capacious and lighter cranium, a less pointed muzzle and a moderately strong bite, is said to have further developed into the pinscher, schnauzer and terrier types of dog and were found spread widely throughout Europe.

THE GERMAN PINSCHER IN THE UNITED STATES

The German Pinscher is still a relatively young breed in the United States. The first German Pinscher entered into the German Pinscher Club of America’s stud books was Basko v. Warturm, a black and tan male imported from Germany in 1982 by Mike and Maryanne Mueller. At approximately the same time, they imported an older black and red female named Cendi v. Rednitzgrund.

Taking the world by storm, here is Int. Ch. Jambo de la Capelliere. Photo by Bruce Harkins.

SCHNAUZER CROSS

In 1923 no more interbreeding between the Schnauzer and Pinscher was allowed by the German Pinscher-Schnauzer-Klub. However, because of concern about the limitations of the gene pool, a small group of dedicated breeders in Finland campaigned for many years to be able to crossbreed once more with the Standard Schnauzer. This was finally allowed in the late 1990s, and about three litters of three different schnauzer/red pinscher crosses have been born. Finally the offspring of these litters will be mated together. After three generations the resulting litters will, once more, be allowed to be registered as pure-bred Pinschers.

In early 1983 Dr. J.C. Roby of Whitesville, Kentucky imported a pair of German Pinschers named Larry v. Munchhof and Mary v. Munchhof. A little later, Natalie Berman of Columbus, Georgia returned from Germany with a pair of German Pinschers from the Vogelweide kennel. Vogelweide was the kennel prefix for Josef Berta.

In 1988 Kristin Dedich purchased Wiener Kindl Bambina, a red bitch, from Austria. Bambina had been bred to Demon Z Pyselky, an International, Polish, Hungarian, Austrian and CSSR champion before being imported into the US. On July 20, 1988 a litter of six was whelped. There were three reds and three black and tans in the litter. These were the first red German Pinschers born in the US. Kismet’s Red Falcon, author Sharon Morgan’s first German Pinscher, came from this litter as did Kismet’s Kaiser Wilhelm and Kismet’s Sir Toby. All of these dogs had a significant impact on the German Pinscher in the country in the early 1990s.

In 1992 Robin Vuillermet of Des Charmettes kennel began importing German Pinschers from France. This French influence is still seen in many of the German Pinschers today, especially those that originate from the Windamir Des Charmettes breeding program.

Since then, there have been German Pinschers imported from Austria, Australia, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Holland and Sweden.

After its arrival in the US, the German Pinscher first became part of the rare-breed community while working toward AKC recognition. Rare-breed shows provided a showcase for newly imported breeds. The recognition of the German Pinscher as a strong conformation competitor that consistently dominated the Working Group at rare-breed shows encouraged the breeders to excel further in developing top-quality German Pinschers. The versatility and trainability of the breed drew the obedience and other performance-event enthusiasts. In addition, those who liked the look of the Doberman but wanted a smaller dog for apartment/condominium living were drawn to the German Pinscher. Over the years, the German Pinscher slowly but surely has developed a strong following. During its time as a “rare breed,” the German Pinscher consistently dominated the show ring.

Michael Mueller became the first person to import a German Pinscher to the US when he brought over this black and red bitch, Cendi v. Rednitzgrund.

The first dual-titled German Pinscher in the US following AKC recognition, here is Ch. LaZar Des Charmettes CD. He was also the first US-born German Pinscher to win the World Championship title, which he did a record six times.

In April 1991, one month after the UKC admitted the breed into its Terrier Group, the American German Pinscher Breeders Association (AGPBA) became the UKC’s parent club.

The German Pinscher Club of America (GPCA) was founded by a small group of breed enthusiasts in California in 1985. The purpose of the GPCA was to advance and promote the breed in the United States. Mike Mueller was the first GPCA president. From 1986 through 1990, the driving force behind the GPCA was Roger Brasier and Dianna Jones.

Ch. Windamir’s Siam Des Charmettes was the first Best of Breed at the GPCA national specialty following AKC recognition.

The GPCA held its first national specialty in 1991 in Columbus, Ohio. The first national specialty winner was Scootamore’s Far to Go, an import from Gloria Cuthbert’s kennel in Great Britain.

The door to AKC-licensed performance events was opened when the German Pinscher was admitted into the Miscellaneous Class in 2001. The following year the AKC recognized the GPCA as the official AKC parent club. Finally, the German Pinscher was admitted into the AKC’s Working Group in January 2003, thus making the breed eligible for AKC championships and its attendant annual awards. The entry into the AKC conformation ring had been long anticipated, so many fanciers were anxious to succeed with their fully recognized Pinschers.

The first AKC champion, Ch. Riward’s Rollin’ Rocs Rusty, earned his title on January 8, 2003. Then, on April 20, 2003, Rusty became the first German Pinscher to place first in the Working Group. Rusty is a red male owned by Anne Richardson of Florida and was bred by author Sharon Morgan and Rita Salins.

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

The word pinscher in German simply means “terrier,” though it likely derived from the Middle English and Anglo French. It has been said that the breed gained its unprepossessing name because of the dog’s habit, when both playing and catching small vermin, of gripping (or pinching) the toy or prey with his two front legs. Pinscher also means the “grabber” or “gripper.” Although some countries still call the dogs German, Standard or Medium Pinscher, the breed is known as Pinscher most commonly throughout the world now. The UK and Norway changed their breed name to Pinscher as recently as the year 2000. In the US, the breed remains known as the German Pinscher.

The first dual-titled German Pinscher was Ch. LaZar Des Charmettes CD, bred by Robin Vuillermet and owned by Sharon Morgan and Kathy Dorwart.

The first GPCA national specialty following AKC recognition was held at the Kennel Club of Philadelphia on November 15, 2003. Best of Breed was awarded to Ch. Windamir’s Siam Des Charmettes, a beautiful dark red male owned by Robin Vuillermet and Sharon Morgan.

Following a year of great excitement in the conformation ring, the German Pinscher qualified for the 2003 AKC/ Eukanuba National Championship in December 2003, held in Long Beach, California. The Best of Breed winner was Ch. Windamir Roi Des Charmettes, a lovely black and rust male owned by the author, Robin Vuillermet and Kathy Dorwart. During the first year, Roi attained the status of the number-one German Pinscher.

Then came the German Pinscher’s first Westminster Kennel Club show in February 2004, where Best of Breed was awarded to Ch. Windamir’s Hunter Des Charmettes, a black and rust male owned by the author, Robin Vuillermet, Kathy Dorwart and Cynthia Dubusc. Hunter was ably handled by Mr. Daniel Rosa, who was Windamir Des Charmettes’ primary handler while the dogs were being shown in the rare-breed shows and at the annual World Dog Show competitions sponsored by the FCI. Best of Opposite Sex went to Ch. Windamir’s Chosen One (Zen), owned by Joelle and Tanya Kaminski. This was especially thrilling as Zen was their first show dog.

This is Kismet’s Red Falcon, owned by Sharon Morgan. He is the first obedience-titled German Pinscher in the US as well as the only three-time national specialty (AGPBA) winner.

Windamir Sophia Des Charmettes is the first female to earn an AKC championship.

First AKC champion fawn Ch. Windamir’s Sahara B, handled by author Sharon Morgan.

The German Pinscher also excelled at performance events. The first AKC obedience titlist was Ch. Windamir’s Hunter, a LaZar son. Hunter was the first German Pinscher to earn the Companion Dog (CD), Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) and Utility Dog (UD) titles in AKC obedience. He is owned by Georgia Welch.

COLORS IN THE PINSCHER

The Pinscher has, in the past, been found in a wide variety of colors. Originally in the German standard, the preferred color was black with yellow/brown markings, with darker markings preferred. Not preferred were brown dogs with yellow markings, yellow dogs or yellow/red dogs. White was never tolerated. Later colors mentioned were black/tan, pepper/salt (Schnauzer influence), brown, black and blue/tan. By 1957 the colors given in the breed standard were black/tan (with the more tan the better), solid black, roe-buck brown to stag red, brown, chocolate, blue-gray with red/yellow markings and silver-gray. Strongly disapproved were bright yellow and Isabella (fawn). Today, in most countries the only colors allowed are black/tan and various shades of red. In only a handful of countries are blue/tan and fawn tolerated. Interestingly, it is only within the last few years that the red color has been allowed in the Pinschers of the Czech Republic.

The first AKC agility titlist was Ch. Blue Banners High Noon CD, AXP, AJP, owned by Betsy Spilis, who called him “Shooter.” What Shooter started, many others have followed. The German Pinscher is a regular participant in agility trials.

The first AKC rally titlist was Windamir’s Olga Des Charmettes RN, a black and tan female owned by Tanya Kaminski of Toledo, Ohio. Olga was Tanya’s first German Pinscher.

The first AKC tracking titlist was Lankers A Black Wind Rising CD, TD, a black and tan female owned by Elizabeth White of Oregon.

The GPCA was accepted as an AKC member club in October 2005, and Robin Vuillermet became the club’s first AKC delegate.

Ch. Windamir Roi Des Charmettes is the first German Pinscher to attain the ranking of number-one AKC German Pinscher.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

The German Pinscher is a mediumsized dog, measuring 17 to 20 inches at the shoulder. The size range applies equally to both sexes. He is a substantial dog with a square build. The well-balanced, flowing outline of the German Pinscher gives a definite impression of elegance.

In appearance, there are two types of German Pinscher. These are referred to as the Schnauzer-type and the Doberman-type. The Schnauzer-type is heavier boned and squarer in build. The head is stronger and broader. The Doberman-type is somewhat lighter in bone and has a more refined appearance to the head. This type is usually leggier than the Schnauzer-type.

Kind and affectionate, brave and intelligent, the German Pinscher will be a welcomed treasure to the right family.

NOT A WATER DOG

Most (but not all) Pinschers have a complete and utter dislike of water in any form. They really need great encouragement to venture forth (for what a dog must do) when it is raining hard. They totally dislike getting their paws wet and will even jump or skirt around puddles when out on a walk. Bathing is something they will tolerate only because it pleases you.

There is no preference given between the two types, but conformation judges tend to prefer one to the other depending upon their background in dogs. The German Pinscher Club of America regularly presents breed seminars throughout the United States to continue to educate conformation judges about the finer points of the breed.

PERSONALITY

The German Pinscher is an excellent guardian and companion. He is alert and intelligent. He has highly developed senses and a fearless attitude while being devoted to his family.

The German Pinscher can be very affectionate and loves being a member of the family. This, combined with a somewhat independent nature, makes the breed especially fascinating. Each German Pinscher is unique in his attitude and approach to life.

The German Pinscher is boldly inquisitive. He keeps an eye on his surroundings at all times. He may play with a single toy for hours or seek a different one every few minutes. Some German Pinschers treasure their toys and have them for years, while others shred them as soon as they can. Balls are especially attractive and entertaining for the German Pinscher and owner alike. The jumping ability of the German Pinscher is astounding, being able to jump 3 to 4 feet into the air from a standing position. Some German Pinschers have even shown an affinity for water and love swimming in pools, charging in and out of the ocean and playing with a garden hose. They can act like clowns and entertain their owners for hours on end.

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Many people are confused about the Pinscher’s ability to actually smile. They will complain that the dog is baring his teeth menacingly at them. They fail to notice that this so-called “snarling” is usually accompanied by vigorous tail wagging. The Pinscher tends to use his smile when you have chided him and he actually grins, broadly, at you to get back on your good side.

The German Pinscher will be bold and assertive but will also be a loving and devoted companion. This is Riward’s Black Diamond, commonly known as “Solo,” at 19 months.

German Pinschers are quick and agile. They delight in a good run with their owner. That same quickness can result in a loose dog that no one can catch. They do not have handles. The musculature and smooth coat do not provide any places on the dog’s anatomy that the human pursuer can grab onto and retrieve the dog without a collar and a leash. No one can outrun a German Pinscher. This alone lends credence to the breeder’s directives that obedience training the German Pinscher is a must.

Have dog, will travel! Your German Pinscher is inquisitive and will enjoy new environments to investigate.

German Pinschers can become quite serious and intent when there is a mouse to catch or backyard vermin to locate. They will dig deep to locate a yard mole or chew through walls for that ever-so-elusive mouse. They make very warm sleeping companions and love to burrow under the bed covers with their owners.

Before deciding if the German Pinscher is the breed for you and your family, it is important that you understand the breed’s behavior. The German Pinscher is not a breed for everyone. They require the firm hand of an experienced dog person, preferably someone with experience with the working and/or terrier breeds. This is not a good first breed for the inexperienced or the timid.

WHAT HE’S LIKE TO LIVE WITH