German Pinschers are small to medium-sized dogs that originated in Germany where they were most often used to kill rats and mice. Also known as Standard Pinschers and Deutsher Pinschers, German Pinschers enjoy popularity in many countries including Germany, the United States and Australia. It is thought that German Pinschers have been in existence in Germany since the 15th century, and there have been several drawings of them dating back to the late 1700s. The most common use for German Pinschers was to kill vermin in homes, businesses and on local farms. However, some were also used for such purposes as guarding homesteads and herding livestock.
Fully grown German Pinschers can range in size from 25 to 45 pounds. They have short hair that can be either red, black and tan, blue and tan, or fawn. These are sleek-looking dogs with sturdy legs and muscular bodies. The head should be somewhat triangular in shape with a black nose and light or dark brown eyes. While some people choose to crop their German Pinchers' ears, it is becoming more popular to leave them natural. Natural ears fall forward towards the face reaching just above the cheeks. Tails can also be either docked or left long. Natural tails are thin, held high and have a slight curl. The German Pinscher is a medium-sized, athletic and muscular dog breed. It has light bones and is light on its feed. It moves with great speed and agility. Its coat is short and smooth and needs little care.
Personality
German Pinschers are playful, active dogs that love playing games or going for long walks. They are quite gentle with children and are sturdy enough to handle rough play. However, they are very distrusting of strangers and will immediately alert you if someone they do not know is lurking about. They also get along well with cats so long as you provide proper supervision. If you are looking for a small or medium-sized dog that can keep up with a busy family, you should consider a German Pinscher. German Pinschers are active dogs that enjoy companionship and playing with their human family members. However, if you choose one of these dogs for your family, you will need to ensure that you provide it with plenty of room to play and run. The German Pinscher is an affectionate, protective and loyal dog. It is very playful and loves to be outdoors. It needs plenty of physical and mental exercise otherwise it will get bored and frustrated. It's devoted to its family and good with older children. They tend to bark a lot and are sometimes stubborn and are timid towards other dogs and strangers.
Breed Characteristics
| Family: | Pinscher |
| Life Span: | 12 - 14 years |
| Nicknames: | Standard Pinschers, Deutsher Pinschers, German Pinschers |
German Pinscher Build Information
Fully grown German Pinschers can range in size from 25 to 45 pounds. They have short hair that can be either red, black and tan, blue and tan, or fawn. These are sleek-looking dogs with sturdy legs and muscular bodies. The head should be somewhat triangular in shape with a black nose and light or dark brown eyes. While some people choose to crop their German Pinchers' ears, it is becoming more popular to leave them natural. Natural ears fall forward towards the face reaching just above the cheeks. Tails can also be either docked or left long. Natural tails are thin, held high and have a slight curl. The German Pinscher is a medium-sized, athletic and muscular dog breed. It has light bones and is light on its feed. It moves with great speed and agility. Its coat is short and smooth and needs little care.
| Size: | Medium |
Behaviour and Personality
German Pinschers are playful, active dogs that love playing games or going for long walks. They are quite gentle with children and are sturdy enough to handle rough play. However, they are very distrusting of strangers and will immediately alert you if someone they do not know is lurking about. They also get along well with cats so long as you provide proper supervision. If you are looking for a small or medium-sized dog that can keep up with a busy family, you should consider a German Pinscher. German Pinschers are active dogs that enjoy companionship and playing with their human family members. However, if you choose one of these dogs for your family, you will need to ensure that you provide it with plenty of room to play and run. The German Pinscher is an affectionate, protective and loyal dog. It is very playful and loves to be outdoors. It needs plenty of physical and mental exercise otherwise it will get bored and frustrated. It's devoted to its family and good with older children. They tend to bark a lot and are sometimes stubborn and are timid towards other dogs and strangers.
| Activity Level: | Very active |
| Affection Level: | Very affectionate |
| Kid Friendliness: | Moderately friendly |
Appearance
Your German Pinscher will need only minimal grooming. During shedding season, you can brush your pet's coat with a hound glove to help minimize the amount of hair in your home. You should only need to bathe your dog once or twice a month. After bath times, take a minute to check your pet's ears and nails. If the ears need cleaning, do not use a cotton swab. Use the small corner of a damp, clean rag to gently wipe out any excess wax. When clipping nails, use a guillotine nail clipper for dogs 25 to 30 pounds or a pliers-type clipper for dogs over 30 pounds. Be sure to clip just the tips avoiding the veins that are inside each nail.
| Shedding: | Little |
| Grooming: | Low Maintenance |
German Pinscher Common Health Conditions
German Pinschers are generally very healthy dogs that can live as long as 12 to 14 years or longer. However, there have been a few German Pinschers that have developed various genetic-related health issues. You will find these conditions listed below: Cataracts, Hip and Elbow Dysplasia, Thyroid Disorders, von Willebrand Disease and Heart Problems.
German Pinscher Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
Get a Free Pet Insurance Quote
Breed Talents and Facts
Not only are German Pinschers related to Doberman Pinschers and Miniature Pinschers, but they are also relatives of Standard Schnauzers and Affenpinschers. Due to the German Pinscher's strong prey drive, they typically do not interact well with such small pets as rodents, rabbits and birds. German Pinschers do not like to be left alone for long periods of time and will become destructive such situations.
| Training: | Easy |