German Pinscher

German Pinscher Breed description: Character & Co

Dogs/Active

What is the origin of the German Pinscher?

Pinschers probably belong to the oldest dog breeds and are descendants of the peat pit dogs. According to findings, this breed already existed 3,000 years ago. In former times, Pinschers were widespread all over Europe. Thanks to their endurance and joy for running they were appreciated by coachmen and traders who trained the Pinscher to guard their wagons and goods. It was important that the animals developed a strong protective instinct and decided independently when defense was necessary. In the evenings, when the animals had already run for many kilometres, their service was not over yet. At this point of the day they would go to the stables to hunt for rats and mice. This is one of the reasons why they were often called "ratters". In 1880, the breed was registered in the German Dog Register. After the Second World War, the breed almost became extinct. Thanks to the German breeder Werner Jung, it did not come to this point. He succeeded in creating a stock of 60 animals with five parent animals by crossbreeding them with large Dwarf Pinschers.

What are the breed characteristics of the German Pinscher?

The body language of the German Pinscher can best be described as proud and elegant. Their strong and muscular body is shown to advantage in every movement. Very typical for the breed are also the high set, forward tilted ears in a V-shape. The inner edges touch their cheeks.

Banner: Shutterstock / Jagodka
Dog,Mammal,Vertebrate,Dog breed,Canidae,Pinscher,Carnivore,Miniature pinscher,German pinscher,Austrian black and tan hound, small brown dog who is german pinscher and has no prick ears yet, pinscher puppy German Pincscher standing on a meadow looking into the camera, dog shining black, shiny fur, German dog breed, medium dog breed with tilt ears German Pinscher, Looks like a mini Doberman, Black and brown dog standing in the meadow, dog with prick ears and tilt ears, medium sized dog breed from Germany
Alternate Name Ratter
Origin Germany
Life expectancy - years
Care requirements low-maintenance
Activity level average
FCI group Pinscher and Schnauzer type
AKC group Herding Group
KC group Pastoral Group
News/Active

What are the typical character traits of the German Pinscher?

If you want to buy a German Pinscher, be aware that these are active animals that want to be kept busy. They are best suited for sporty people who like to walk or cycle with a four-legged companion joining them. Because of their past as stable dogs, they are also popular with horse riders: they have no problems interacting with horses. Dog sports such as agility or man-trailing also give the bright animal great pleasure.

To lead the German Pinscher's temperament into the right direction, you should offer it daily exercise. If they get bored, your house mate will develop unwanted bad habits such as excessive barking. Since they can sometimes act a bit over the top when playing, they are not very suitable for families with small children. You should also keep an eye on their hunting instinct, which should be kept under control from the beginning. Since the German Pinscher is self-confident, behave consistently with them. This also includes not letting yourself be totally consumed by your four-legged friend. They demand their owner's full attention at home. As a good watchdog, they are suspicious of strangers and report every stranger who approaches your home.

German Pinscher dog standing on grass
Germany

What are typical diseases of the German Pinscher?

Because the tip of the ears of the German Pinscher are very thin, they can easily get injured when the animal grazes through the undergrowth. Therefore, it pays off to check their ears after every walk. Typical diseases of the German Pinscher are:

  • Hip joint dysplasia
  • The von Willebrand disease: This is a genetically caused blood coagulation disorder, affected animals can bleed to death when seriously injured
  • Hereditary eye diseases
  • Dilute gene: this is an unnatural lightening of the coat

What should be considered in regards to German Pinscher breeding?

If you buy a German Pinscher puppy from a foreign breeder, you should know that the import of docked animals is prohibited since 2012. Also the placement of four-legged puppies with a shortened tail and ears born after January 1st, 2008 is not allowed. An exception is the passing on of docked Pinschers by an animal shelter. A serious breeder is subject to strict criteria: As a prerequisite for the breeding approval of a parent animal in Austria, tests for hip joint dysplasia, eye diseases and patella problems must be carried out. With a German Pinscher breeder registered by the Austrian Schnauzer and Pinscher Club you will end up buying a healthy four-legged friend that will surely give you pleasure for a long time.

Hintergrund
German Pinscher breed description

The German Pinscher has a short, silky and shiny coat. Most animals are black with red markings. The bright spots above the eyes and the bi-coloured markings on the face are particularly remarkable. But there are also brown-black and plain deer-red German Pinscher puppies. Their build is almost square, they are about the same height as length. In former times the ears and the tail were often docked, since 2005 this is forbidden in Austria according to the animal protection law.

What is the average size of a German Pinscher?

German Pinschers reach a height of about 45 to 50 centimetres.

How much does a German Pinscher weigh?

They reach a weight of 14 to 20 kilograms.

What is the life expectancy of a German Pinscher?

The German Pinscher can reach an age of 12 to 14 years.

Fur length short
Fur flat coated
Ear shape Tilt-ear
Tail lang
Anatomy muscular, slim
Size ♀ 43 - 51 cm
Weight ♀ 11 - 20 kg
Size ♂ 43 - 50 cm
Weight ♂ 11 - 20 kg
Suitable For Children

Colors

German Pincscher standing on a meadow looking into the camera, dog shining black, shiny fur, German dog breed, medium dog breed with tilt ears
German Pinscher, Looks like a mini Doberman, Black and brown dog standing in the meadow, dog with prick ears and tilt ears, medium sized dog breed from Germany
German Pinscher dog standing on grass

Sources and relevant links

Gabriele Lehari (2004). Ulmers Großes Lexikon der Hunderassen. Ulmer.

Embark

Accessed on 09.03.2023

FCI Rassestandard

Accessed on 09.03.2023

1. Österreichischer Schnauzer-Pinscherklub 1914

Accessed on 09.03.2023

Heike Schmidt-Röger (2018). Familienhunde. Kosmos.

Other medium dogs

Useful Articles

Subscribe to our newsletter
to stay up to date on dog trends.
We won’t spam your inbox! We won’t sell or rent your email address.
To find out more, view our Privacy Policy
dogbible - a platform for people who love dogs
<svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-icon="facebook" role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M504 256C504 119 393 8 256 8S8 119 8 256c0 123.78 90.69 226.38 209.25 245V327.69h-63V256h63v-54.64c0-62.15 37-96.48 93.67-96.48 27.14 0 55.52 4.84 55.52 4.84v61h-31.28c-30.8 0-40.41 19.12-40.41 38.73V256h68.78l-11 71.69h-57.78V501C413.31 482.38 504 379.78 504 256z" data-v-b19174da="" class=""></path></svg> <svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-icon="instagram" role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 448 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M224.1 141c-63.6 0-114.9 51.3-114.9 114.9s51.3 114.9 114.9 114.9S339 319.5 339 255.9 287.7 141 224.1 141zm0 189.6c-41.1 0-74.7-33.5-74.7-74.7s33.5-74.7 74.7-74.7 74.7 33.5 74.7 74.7-33.6 74.7-74.7 74.7zm146.4-194.3c0 14.9-12 26.8-26.8 26.8-14.9 0-26.8-12-26.8-26.8s12-26.8 26.8-26.8 26.8 12 26.8 26.8zm76.1 27.2c-1.7-35.9-9.9-67.7-36.2-93.9-26.2-26.2-58-34.4-93.9-36.2-37-2.1-147.9-2.1-184.9 0-35.8 1.7-67.6 9.9-93.9 36.1s-34.4 58-36.2 93.9c-2.1 37-2.1 147.9 0 184.9 1.7 35.9 9.9 67.7 36.2 93.9s58 34.4 93.9 36.2c37 2.1 147.9 2.1 184.9 0 35.9-1.7 67.7-9.9 93.9-36.2 26.2-26.2 34.4-58 36.2-93.9 2.1-37 2.1-147.8 0-184.8zM398.8 388c-7.8 19.6-22.9 34.7-42.6 42.6-29.5 11.7-99.5 9-132.1 9s-102.7 2.6-132.1-9c-19.6-7.8-34.7-22.9-42.6-42.6-11.7-29.5-9-99.5-9-132.1s-2.6-102.7 9-132.1c7.8-19.6 22.9-34.7 42.6-42.6 29.5-11.7 99.5-9 132.1-9s102.7-2.6 132.1 9c19.6 7.8 34.7 22.9 42.6 42.6 11.7 29.5 9 99.5 9 132.1s2.7 102.7-9 132.1z" data-v-b19174da="" class=""></path></svg> <svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-icon="pinterest" role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 496 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M496 256c0 137-111 248-248 248-25.6 0-50.2-3.9-73.4-11.1 10.1-16.5 25.2-43.5 30.8-65 3-11.6 15.4-59 15.4-59 8.1 15.4 31.7 28.5 56.8 28.5 74.8 0 128.7-68.8 128.7-154.3 0-81.9-66.9-143.2-152.9-143.2-107 0-163.9 71.8-163.9 150.1 0 36.4 19.4 81.7 50.3 96.1 4.7 2.2 7.2 1.2 8.3-3.3.8-3.4 5-20.3 6.9-28.1.6-2.5.3-4.7-1.7-7.1-10.1-12.5-18.3-35.3-18.3-56.6 0-54.7 41.4-107.6 112-107.6 60.9 0 103.6 41.5 103.6 100.9 0 67.1-33.9 113.6-78 113.6-24.3 0-42.6-20.1-36.7-44.8 7-29.5 20.5-61.3 20.5-82.6 0-19-10.2-34.9-31.4-34.9-24.9 0-44.9 25.7-44.9 60.2 0 22 7.4 36.8 7.4 36.8s-24.5 103.8-29 123.2c-5 21.4-3 51.6-.9 71.2C65.4 450.9 0 361.1 0 256 0 119 111 8 248 8s248 111 248 248z" data-v-b19174da="" class=""></path></svg>