German Pinscher

As their name suggests, German pinschers hail from southern Germany. The first German Pinscher was registered in 1885. These intelligent, short-haired dogs nearly went extinct during World War II. In West Germany, there was no record of registration for one from just after the war until 1958. Luckily, they were brought back by an industrious breeder named Werner Jung. Jung smuggled a single female German Pinscher out of the country and revived the breed with the blood of several miniature and regular pinschers. You can find German Pinschers in a variety of colors, including red, salt and pepper, black, and various shades of tan or brown. Today, the breed is once again common across Germany. German Pinschers can also be found in other parts of Europe, and they were brought to the United States just before 1980.

Now we know where the German part of their namesake comes from, what about “pinscher”? As these dogs and terriers were initially bred to be ratters, it is similar to “pincher”, which makes sense to them grabbing at rodents.

German Pinschers are attentive and affectionate dogs who get along well with experienced owners. If you have time and energy for them, a German Pinscher will be your best friend; these dogs love to spend time doing any activity their owner is interested in.

3 Pros and Cons of Ownership

Size and Weight

German Pinschers are medium-sized dogs with short hair. Both males and females are about the same size. German Pinschers can get as tall as 20 inches at the shoulder, and they typically weigh between 25 and 45 pounds when they are fully grown.

Common Health Issues

German Pinschers nearly went extinct after World War II. The breed was actually revived in Germany from a single female and several normal and miniature pinschers. Because of the minimal gene pool, German Pinschers should always be checked for health issues before adoption.

Responsible German Pinscher breeders work to reduce the risk of genetic defects and strive to produce healthy, long-lived dogs, but some inherited conditions may still occur. However, some German Pinschers may be susceptible to dysplasia of the hips and elbows. Another common health issue is the presence of cataracts, which can cause blindness if they are left untreated. Other problems, like thyroid disease and Von Willebrand’s disease, pose long-term health problems in older dogs. Finally, German pinschers are also at risk for heart disease; luckily, this can often be noticed early and treated by your vet.

Temperament

These are intelligent, energetic, protective, and loving dogs. German Pinschers take incredibly well to training, but they also have a strong independent streak; if you do not establish dominance early in the relationship, your German Pinscher may try to take control for themselves. Because of this, German Pinscher puppies should only be adopted by owners who are ready to commit to their training for the first few years of their lives.

Aside from the need for an attentive owner, German pinschers have many wonderful traits and are excellent pets. A German Pinscher is a fine choice for a family with older children, but they may be too jumpy to live with very young children. Owners should be aware that German Pinschers are guard dogs; they have very protective personalities and may not get along with strangers or other dogs unless they are properly socialized.

How to Take Care of Them

German Pinschers are moderately difficult to take care of compared to other dogs. They need attentive training and a high level of exercise in order to stay happy and healthy. Luckily, German Pinscher puppies are incredibly intelligent and will pick up most commands after only a handful of repetitions. Once your German Pinscher is trained, you will find that it is an accommodating and engaging pet.

The Best Dog Food

German Pinschers are extremely active dogs, which means that they may need to be fed more than other breeds of the same size. A German Pinscher puppy may need as many as four meals a day, although this amount should be decreased to three and then two times a day as the puppy ages.

Adult German Pinschers still need enough calories to maintain their active lifestyle, but two light meals a day are usually enough to help them stay fit and happy. Look for dog food that has plenty of protein, fiber, and healthy fats. You may also want to consider feeding your German Pinscher a calcium supplement to combat their risk of joint dysplasia; just make sure to consult with your vet before adding any vitamins or minerals to your dog’s diet.

Maintenance and Grooming

German Pinschers are a short-haired breed with incredibly minimal shedding. In fact, your German Pinscher probably won’t need to go to the groomer except to get their nails trimmed.

Still, German Pinschers do need a moderate amount of brushing to keep their coats glossy and smooth. Don’t use a long-bristled brush, as it may be too rough for your pinscher’s sensitive skin. Instead, look for a cloth or a grooming mitt that will gently gather excess hair.

Training

If you have the attention and dedication, German pinschers are incredibly easy to train. These dogs love to learn new commands and dislike having to repeat the same lesson twice. A German Pinscher needs an authoritative trainer who can understand the dog’s body language. These dogs are not recommended for new dog owners as pets.

Exercise

The German Pinscher needs a moderate to high amount of exercise. Most breeders recommend taking your German Pinscher on at least two long walks a day. Although they prefer having access to a backyard, German pinschers are relatively calm dogs and can live in an apartment if they are taken out three to four times a day.

When it comes to activities, your German Pinscher will be excited to participate in anything you can come up with. From fetch to mock hunting, there are few canine sports that a German Pinscher won’t want to participate in. However, German Pinschers are not actually hunting or sporting dogs, so make sure to keep their activities at a casual level.

Puppies

German Pinscher puppies are incredibly attached to their owners. Be ready to spend time developing a bond with your dog and socializing with them as early as possible. Because German Pinschers are naturally protective, they may be aggressive to strangers if they are not actively socialized during the developmental years of their lives.

With Children

German Pinschers are sweet and loving dogs that get along incredibly well with their owners. This breed is well-suited to being a guard dog; most German Pinschers are very protective of everyone in their family. German Pinschers are good with kids, but they may be annoyed or irritated with very young children. A German Pinscher should always be trained by an experienced adult who is ready to take responsibility for their behavior.

Similar Dogs

German Pinschers might not always be available in some areas. If you’re looking for a similar dog, consider adopting a Doberman Pinscher, Affenpinscher, or German Shepherd.

• Doberman Pinschers: Doberman pinschers are only distantly related to German pinschers, but they share a similar appearance and attentive personality. Doberman Pinschers are working dogs and may require more attention than German Pinschers.
• Affenpinschers: The Affenpinscher is a fluffy, attentive toy dog that is also a member of the pinscher family. Although they require more grooming, Affenpinschers are friendly, fun, and receptive to training.
• German Shepherds: They might be large, but German shepherds are sweet and loving dogs that do well in active families. These dogs respond quickly to commands and love to participate in activities with their owners.