If you have not heard anything about the German Pinscher breed before, then you are not alone. Unfortunately, now this breed is familiar to few amateur dog breeders, and it is not very popular among breeders. A smart and faithful dog with a bright temperament will become an indispensable companion for active people. Like any breed, pincher has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. The article will consider them in more detail.
Breed history
Looking at this dog, you can decide that this is a slightly smaller version of the Doberman. But actually it is not. Dobermans, German pinschers, as well as miniature pinschers (dwarf) are separate representatives of the same breed line - pinschers. A similar trio exists in the line of schnauzers - the Giant Schnauzer, the Mittelschnauzer and the Miniature Schnauzer. There was even a period in the history of cynology when pinschers and schnauzers were not isolated into separate breeds. If curly-haired puppies were born in the litter, they were called schnauzers, and smooth-haired puppies. So, such dissimilar breeds, as it turned out, have the same roots.
The history of the dog breed German Pinscher dates back to the 15th century. Officially, it was registered at the end of the 19th century in Germany. At home, the breed is called not German, but a standard pinscher. Another name is also common - the middle pincher.
Destination
In medieval Germany, the dog was an indispensable helper in the courtyards and stables, where she caught rats and guarded property. They used to be called stable pinschers. Due to their stamina, dogs of this breed were used as accompaniment to stagecoaches. They could run for many kilometers next to the wagon, and at the stations guard luggage. Currently, the quality of the Pied Piper has faded into the background, and the breed is valued for its official qualities, graceful appearance and endurance in dog training.
General characteristics
German Pinscher - a dog characterized by mobility, endurance and a stable psyche. Despite her not very large growth, she is fearless, without hesitation, will rush to the defense of the owner. At the same time, the pinscher is very playful and sporty. Often expresses his joy by bouncing up to one and a half meters in height. Used for protection and hunting.
They are restless on the street, but at home they behave calmly, and will not bother the owner with causeless barking. Pincher is an indispensable companion for people with an active lifestyle. He will accompany you during jogging or cycling. And also with pleasure will go camping for a few days.
Appearance
With all its appearance, the German pinscher demonstrates becoming ideal proportions. Growth at the withers rarely exceeds 50 cm, and weight - 20 kg. The average indicators are 41-47 cm and 12-17 kg. The body of the pincher is strong, muscular, forms a square. The head is slightly elongated, the muzzle is narrow with an unexpressed transition to the forehead. The eyes are oval, dark in color, usually brown. Thin strong legs are parallel to each other. Ears of a triangular shape are set high on the head. To participate in the exhibitions they are not stopped, as well as the tail. The coat is short, smooth and shiny. Pictured are German pinchers with uncropped ears.
Color
Standard pinchers are presented in two color options:
- lacquered black with tan red-red;
- plain red with various shades (red-brown, deer).
The first option is more common. The tan marks have clear boundaries and are located above the eyes, on the front and hind legs, lower part of the muzzle and chest. In this photo of the German pincher, the location of the tappers is clearly visible.
A change in color towards lightening is considered a deviation from the standard. Dogs with this deviation do not participate in breeding. It is possible to identify the probability of a non-standard color by conducting gene testing of the parents of future puppies.
Character
According to the stately look and history of the origin of the standard pincher, we can draw conclusions about his temperament. Hunter genes are manifested in communication with other animals, on which he can hunt and even bite. Behavior with strangers is wary, showing protective qualities. To balance the natural inclinations of the dog, it is important from an early age to engage in its socialization and suppress aggressive behavior towards people and other dogs. A German pinscher will grow up to be a great companion dog if enough time is devoted to training and education. For this reason, Pinschers are advised to have people with experience in dog breeding or those who feel confident enough in their abilities.
Representatives of this breed are very loyal to their master and do not tolerate separation from him. But they love to dominate, so excessive gentleness will cause the dog to stop obeying or manipulate you. In addition, standard pinchers are jealous of their territory and things. If someone tries to pick up their toys, bedding, or bowl of food, they could pounce or bite.
Relationship with children
For families with small children, a standard pincher is not the best option for a pet. With proper upbringing, they are quite patient with children's pranks, but with their sudden movements they can cripple a child. In addition, they are jealous and they do not like to share the owner’s attention with anyone else.
Content
Walking a standard pincher is necessary twice a day, giving good physical activity. A pinscher who has not exhausted irrepressible energy during a walk will seek an occupation at home. It is important to direct its activity in the right direction, therefore, they often participate in cynological sports with this breed - agility, flyball, coursing, frisbee.
German pinscher feels good in the apartment, subject to regular walks. If the dog will be kept in a house with a plot, then you need to take care of a good fence, because in a fit of excitement, she can jump over the fence. It is impossible to keep pinchers in the yard all the time. He is very attached to the owner and must keep him in sight. In addition to its advantages, its short coat also has disadvantages. In cold weather, the standard pincher will freeze, so you need to take care of comfortable warm clothes.
Care
Caring for the breed will not be particularly troublesome. Short hair needs to be combed out once a week, and it can also be wiped with a soft cloth from dust and dirt. Often you do not need to bathe - once every 2-3 months, using special shampoos for dogs of smooth-haired breeds.
Hygienic procedures include eye, ear and tooth care. They must be cleaned once a week. Dogs do not really like these procedures, so it is important to train a puppy to perform them from an early age. After cleaning, you can reward your pet with a treat. Claws almost do not require trimming, as in long walks they grind themselves. If this does not happen, then you will need to trim them.
Food
As the basis of the diet, most owners prefer ready-made dry food. In this case, it is better to choose quality proven brands of super-premium class. A dog’s diet based on natural nutrition should consist of raw meat, raw and cooked vegetables, cereals and dairy products. It is important to remember that food from the table in most cases is not suitable for pinchers. Salty, fried, fatty foods will lead to digestive problems. You need to monitor the portion size. It should be such that the stomach does not stretch and by the next meal is completely empty. And, of course, clean fresh water should always be available to the dog.
Physical exercise
From the description of the German Pincher breed, we already realized that they are very energetic. They need daily exercise. It is necessary to find a place where the dog can be released to run without a leash so that the energy does not remain unspent. Unhurried walks with the owner will not be able to satisfy the pinschers need for loads. And this is fraught with unpleasant consequences for the owners. A bored dog will seek entertainment at home, and this is not limited to harmless pranks. An indicator that the dog spends enough energy will be that after a walk she will fall fast for several hours.
Standard pinschers love to play with other dogs, but in games they are assertive and aggressive. Not all dogs like this. Therefore, representatives of the same breed will be ideal playmates.
Learnability
Standard pinschers must be trained. If you can not regularly devote time to this, then it is better to choose a different breed. Pinchers are wary of strangers, and the guardian’s genes again merit this. The puppy needs to be taught to other people and animals as soon as possible. In education, one must be firm, but without anger. German pinschers are famous for their vindictiveness. If you “go too far” with punishment or do it with outsiders, the dog’s pride will be hurt. A smart and cunning pincher will find a way to show the owner that he will not tolerate such an attitude. Representatives of the breed and excessive softness do not forgive. They quickly "sit on the neck" of such a master, taking on the role of leader.
Smart and savvy by nature pinschers easily learn new things, so it will be a pleasure to deal with them. Use hard cheese, rye crackers, or a special treat for dogs to promote.
Disease susceptibility
Pinschers are considered long-livers, with good care they can live up to 20 years. The average life expectancy is 13-17 years. Among the diseases characteristic of this breed, there are:
- von Willebrand Dian disease (spontaneous bleeding);
- eye diseases;
- disorders in the development of the hip joints;
- epilepsy.
A genetic test can be done to identify a dog’s predisposition to von Willebrand disease. The disease proceeds in various forms. Some of them are considered life-threatening and require compulsory treatment. Light forms also need to be monitored and a veterinarian regularly visited.
Eye diseases are common among pinschers, so it is necessary to regularly examine a dog from the age of 1.5-2 months. If the pathology is detected in time, this will help stop the development of the disease or completely cure it.
Reviews of breeders
Reviews of dog owners of this breed will help to complement the portrait of a German pinscher. All owners of standard pinschers note their good-natured disposition, indefatigable energy and a positive attitude to everything that happens around. They wholeheartedly love their masters and are ready to accompany them everywhere and always. But at the same time, pinschers are self-sufficient and can occupy themselves by playing with their favorite toys.
Walking with pinschers is not calm. They have a great scent and a well-developed hunting instinct. Thanks to this, they can rush off for potential prey, not paying attention to the calls of the owner. But not all representatives of the breed do this. Each dog is unique and the nature of one pincher may differ from another. The same applies to barking - some dogs "open their mouths" for any reason, from others it is extremely rare to hear anything.
Pinschers are very smart and like to learn new things, but if they become bored, they will pretend that they do not understand you. Routine matters quickly bother them, so training should be varied. Training should take place without punishment, but only with the use of rewards. Many owners note that it is difficult for standard pinchers to be given an aport command. Although the breed was used at the dawn of its appearance for hunting, but standard Pinchers are more likely hunters themselves than hunting dogs.
Breeders of standard pinschers recommend the breed for housing maintenance, but subject to daily walks of 1-2 hours. Raising a dog, especially in the first year, will need to be given a lot of time. If you miss this time, then instead of a cheerful balanced dog, you will get an aggressive and suspicious dog.
Cost
The price of purebred standard pinscher puppies depends on factors such as:
- color - black and tan or plain;
- puppy gender;
- age;
- whether ears and tail are docked.
The average price of a puppy with a good pedigree is 55 thousand rubles. Puppies with deviations from the standards are cheaper - 20-30 thousand rubles. Puppies without documents can be bought at a price of less than 20 thousand rubles.
When choosing a puppy, pay attention to the condition of the coat, eyes and limbs. Wool should be shiny without bald spots, eyes - clean. The puppy must confidently stand on its paws, be mobile and inquisitive.
Judging by the description, the German pinscher is not suitable for everyone. The energy that overflows them will constantly require an exit, and the intellect will require training. An experienced dog breeder will not be difficult to provide. Beginners will need patience and firmness to get a well-bred dog. If the standard pincher is your dog, then the process of upbringing and its result will bring joy to both the dog and the owner.