Miniature Pinscher: Breed and Health Information

BY | June 29 | COMMENTS PUBLISHED BY
Miniature Pinscher: Breed and Health Information

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The Miniature Pinscher is a long lived, lively dog, often wary of strangers, and very independent. Learn more about this breed and their health concerns here.

Despite its name, the Miniature Pinscher is not a tiny version of a Doberman Pinscher. Itโ€™s an unrelated breed entirely, it and more likely has Italian Greyhound and Dachshund in its origins. It is a lively dog, wary of strangers, and very independent. The Miniature Pinscher is subject to Legg-Perthes disease, often mistaken for hip dysplasia, as well as patellar luxation and mucopolysaccharidosis. The breed is a long lived one, with dogs living in the range of 12 to 14 years and often beyond.

Primary Health Conditions of the Miniature Pinscher

The Miniature Pinscher is prone to a hereditary disease called Legg-Perthes disease, which is at times misdiagnosed as hip dysplasia. The two conditions have similar symptoms โ€“ the dog may have difficulties walking, and may appear to have soreness in the hip and back legs. Legg-Perthes, however, has a different cause. In most cases a dearth of blood supply causes the femur head to stop developing; resultantly, the femur and hip socket don't fit together as they should. Surgery is the usual treatment. The Miniature Pinscher is also prone, like many dogs, to patellar luxation, in which the kneecap becomes loose and shifts. Surgery is sometimes used as treatment, although medicinal management is sometimes possible.

Secondary Health Conditions of the Miniature Pinscher

The Miniature Pinscher is one of a few breeds that are subject to canine mucopolysaccharidosis, an inherited inability to manufacture the enzymes essential to the building of bone, cartilage, and skin. Unlike most neurodegenerative diseases, mucopolysaccharidosis generally has an adult onset, with most dogs manifesting the disease when they are 3-5 years old. Dogs suffering from mucopolysaccharidosis can be abnormally small with flattened faces and skeletal abnormalities. There is no treatment for this condition, and dogs with the condition should not be bred. This breed is also predisposed to congenital heart defects, some of which may not present until later life. Sometimes heart issues may be corrected surgically, and sometimes the ailments are serious and incurable.

Miniature Pinscher Exercise and Walking Needs

The Miniature Pinscher needs a moderate amount of exercise that can be satisfied with a daily walk or two and some lively play. Much of this play can occur indoors, such as chasing and retrieving toys, although this dog will enjoy a chance to go into the yard for free runs. Because the Miniature Pinscher is a good jumper, a fence of sufficient height might be required to keep the dog from chasing other animals or heading off to explore. With its short coat, the breed does not do well in the cold, so owners should minimize outdoor exercise during the winter.

Miniature Pinscher Nutritional Needs

This breed of dog does not have any particular feeding needs, although, as with any dog, a high quality food with the correct mixture of proteins, carbohydrates, and nutrients will provide better health and longer life. At times, the Miniature Pinscher can have weight issues, and food portions should be tailored to the dogโ€™s activity levels and age. A healthy weight will help manage the hip and knee conditions to which the breed is prone.

Characteristics of a Miniature Pinscher

The miniature pinscher dog has a long history that is thought to extend back several centuries. The little dog's main job originally was to catch rats in barns and stables, but miniature pinschers have found their niche in the modern world as family companion dogs. Contrary to popular belief, the breed is not a miniaturized version of the Doberman pinscher, which it predates by centuries. The original short-haired German pinscher is believed to be included in the ancestries of both breeds. The miniature pinscher is fearless, intelligent, highly energetic and playful, sometimes dog-aggressive, and tends to be suspicious of strangers.

Intelligence

Miniature pinschers are intelligent dogs with great confidence and self-possession. Naturally adventurous, min pins need the close attention of their owners to prevent them from heading off to explore. The breed's inherent inquisitiveness frequently leads min pins into trouble, and many are struck by cars while darting across traffic in pursuit of an interesting object. Assertiveness is a characteristic of the breed, and the males are particularly dominant. They will try to dominate other family pets, and often will assert dominance over the humans in the family as well.

Courage and Fighting Drive

Sometimes called the โ€œking of the toy breeds,โ€ min pins appear not to be aware of their tiny size, and are exceptionally courageous. Male min pins are particularly territorial dogs, marking their home turf by urinating everywhere possible and kicking up the soil to leave the scent from their footpads. They will tackle a dog much bigger than themselves given the occasion, and they are fearless watchdogs. They are also bold, and will bark incessantly when defending the home. Min pins will not hesitate to attack an intruder, biting whatever body part they are able to reach. While min pins are good family dogs, they will not tolerate rough handling by young children, and will bite if necessary to defend themselves.

Learning Ability

Miniature pinschers are lively, alert little dogs who learn quickly. Their high energy level demands plenty of physical exercise, as well as regular mental stimulation to keep their minds occupied. They do exceptionally well in obedience training and in fun disciplines such as agility and dog dancing. Training a min pin requires an understanding of the breedโ€™s dominant personality and behavioral traits, such as their stubbornness and occasional aggression towards other dogs.

Working Ability

Min pins have worked in almost every canine discipline suited to their size. At the St. Maryโ€™s Mayo Clinic rehabilitation unit in Minnesota, a min pin named Dr. Jack works with patients as a therapy dog, helping to relieve stress and providing speech therapy for 160 hours per year. Dr. Jackโ€™s trainer says the dog behaves remarkably well by seeking out those patients who need help the most, and by showing exceptional empathy and compassion to them.

This information is for informational purposes only and is not meant as a substitute for the professional advice of, or diagnosis or treatment by, your veterinarian. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard or delay seeking professional advice due to what you may have read on our website.

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Weight Control Hip Dysplasia Patella Luxation Legg-Perthes disease Miniature Pinscher Short Hair

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