How to Choose a Minpin

Miniature pinschers have increased in popularity in recent years. This “big dog in a little body,” is intelligent, full of energy, and easy to keep in any size home. Originally from Germany, the miniature pinscher (nicknamed "minpin" or more commonly "min pin") is not actually related to the Doberman pinscher at all. The similarity in body shape and coloring created this comparison, but the min pin was a breed developed by mixing a number of other breeds including German pinschers, dachshunds, and Italian greyhounds to create a dog ideal for hunting rats. Min pins have unique personalities, and finding the right min pin for your family will take time and consideration.^{[1]XResearch source}

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Choosing Your Min Pin

1
Review the dog's pedigree and health history. While the health and behaviors of the parents and their past litters does not necessarily indicate that your puppy will be sickly or poorly behaved, a dog’s pedigree that includes numerous health or behavioral concerns may raise a red flag. When this occurs, you may want to look for a different breeder or breeding pair.
- Ask to spend time with both the dam (mother) and the sire (father). If at all possible, ask to spend time with puppies from past litters as well. If the parents and siblings are happy and healthy, you are more likely to get a healthy puppy.
- Review the parents’ health reports and at least three generations of pedigrees. Look for causes and ages of death and any major health concerns.
- Ask about the personality of the parents. You’ll want to know things like how they interact with other dogs and people. Find out if the dog has ever bitten a person, or if they frequently fight with other animals. Parents that bark a lot or escape frequently may also be warning signs.^{[2]XResearch source}
2
Recognize common min pin diseases and disorders. In general, the miniature pinscher is a healthy dog with few medical issues. Know the most common diseases among miniature pinchers and their warning signs. Look for these when assessing the dog. Ask about testing for these concerns in parents and puppies to ensure you select a healthy dog.
- Entropion is an eye disorder. The dog's lashes irritate the eye causing infection and other serious health concerns.
- Progressive retinal degeneration (PRA) destroys the nerve cells at the back of the eye and can cause blindness.
- Corneal dystrophy occurs in both eyes, and dogs usually inherit this disease from one of their parents. It leads to inflammation in the cornea, and has been linked to a number of chronic and systemic illnesses.
- Glaucoma is a disease that effects both humans and dogs. It occurs when pressure in the eye socket continually increases. In most cases, glaucoma leads to blindness.^{[3]XResearch source}
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Ask the breeder, pet shop, or pet adoption facility for the dog’s health history. This should include the vaccination and worming schedule, so you know when they are due to be updated. If the pet has experienced any health concerns in the past, these should be included in the report as well as treatments that were administered.^{[4]XResearch source}
4
Consider the breeder’s socialization program. It is important to make sure that the breeder you are buying from has a good socialization program in place for their puppies. Otherwise, the min pin you take home may end up with anxiety or aggression issues later on. Ask the breeder about their socialization program before you choose a min pin from that breeder.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Socialization programs should begin at birth and continue until the puppy is 16 weeks old.
- The min pin puppies should be exposed to a variety of sights, sounds, people, and environments as part of their socialization program.
- If the breeder does not have a socialization program and keeps the puppies isolated, then this is a red flag. Do not buy from a breeder who does not socialize their puppies.
5
Evaluate the dog based on breed standard. The American Kennel Club and the Miniature Pinscher Club of America both outline the average height, weight, coat type, and other breed standards for min pins. While these are not necessarily of utmost importance when choosing a pet, min pins that are far outside the standard may be crossbred, sick, or present health issues down the line.
- The average height of a full-grown min pin from shoulder to ground is between 10 and 12.5 inches.
- The min pin’s length should be equal to its height at the shoulder. Females tend to be slightly longer than they are tall.
- The coat should be short, smooth, sleek, and hard. The AKC accepts coat colors of red, stag red (black intermingled), black and tan, black and rust, chocolate and tan, and chocolate and rust.^{[6]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Kennel ClubExpert knowledge, resources and advice for all things dog-related.Go to source}
Min pins are typically very energetic, intelligent, curious about new stimuli, and confident approaching other dogs and humans. If one of the puppies appears to be shying away from all the other dogs or hides when you arrive, this is a sign the dog may not be very well socialized. If you have a lot of time to spend with your new puppy, these skittish puppies can be socialized. Escaping is one of the most problematic behaviors min pins exhibit. If the dogs are in a pen, look for dogs who are trying to find ways to get out of their enclosure.^{[7]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Kennel ClubThe American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.Go to source}
The most important thing you can do before picking a dog isn’t making sure it’s AKC approved. It’s making sure the min pin is the right fit for you. Dogs that show energy, seem willing to play, and who do not cower or shy away from you are typically good picks, but you never know how they will behave at home. Most breeders and pet stores have a trial period allowance. During this time, you're able to take the dog home with you for a few days or even weeks, but you still have an option to return the puppy, if it is not the right fit. Take advantage of this. It lets you get to know the min pin and how it will fit into your home.^{[8]XResearch source}
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Selecting a Min Pin Breeder or Retail Location

1
Check online. Visit the American Kennel Club (or the similar organization in your home country) to review a list of reputable breeders. The AKC offers accurate information about finding a trustworthy breeder, buying a healthy puppy, and how to plan for your dog’s ongoing care.^{[9]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Kennel ClubThe American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.Go to source} You can also check with the Miniature Pinscher Club of America. This organization offers invaluable information about local breeders, min pin rescue organizations, and reputable retail locations to purchase a min pin.^{[10]XResearch source}
- Many breeders also have their own websites. Check these for information about current and past litters.
- If a breeder has an online presence, they may also have reviews online from customers that could be informative.
- Check social media of local breeders as well. These sites often have unfiltered feedback from past buyers, photos of past litters, and other information that may prove helpful.
2
Ask a local veterinarian. You’ll need to establish a relationship with a vet prior to bringing home your new min pin, so seeking advice from your local veterinary practice is a beneficial starting place. A breeder who has a good relationship with a veterinarian is already a good sign, since this means they bring puppies in for treatment. If a vet believes the breeder is adequately caring for and raising healthy dogs, they are likely a safe bet.
- If you already have a vet who treats other animals in your household, start there. If you don’t have a vet, it’s good to find one before you get a new pet. Ask friends and family members for recommendations, read online reviews, and visit the veterinary practices to ensure you choose a safe practice for your new pet.^{[11]XResearch source}
3
Call or email a breeder. This is a good first step before deciding to buy from a breeder or even wasting time visiting them. The initial contact is a great opportunity to build rapport with a breeder, gather information about their policies, and start to gauge whether they are reputable. Take time to ask questions that will give you basic information about the breeder’s practices.
- Ask how many litters the breeder produces each year. Breeders who are constantly producing litters may be what is referred to as a “puppy mill.” This is a breeder who forces dogs to mate too frequently, which may produce weak or unhealthy puppies.
- Ask how many dogs the breeder has and how many are being bred. This is a red flag if breeders have more than two or three breeding pairs of dogs at a time.
- Ask how often the dams (females) are bred. Reputable breeders shouldn’t push their dams to carry litters more than two or three times each year.^{[12]XResearch source}
Once you’ve had a chance to speak with breeders and have a few you would feel comfortable buying from, ask to visit their facility. A reputable breeder should be happy to show you around, allow you to spend time with the parent dogs, and interact with any current litters of puppies. Good min pin breeders are usually proud to talk about their dogs and litters.
5
Ask pet stores for breeder information. Many pet stores purchase their supply of puppies from “puppy mills.” These breeders are constantly mating dogs and often don’t allow them to rest between litters. If you wouldn’t buy a dog from a breeder without information about the health, personality, and pedigree of the parents, you shouldn’t accept this from a pet store either.
- If your pet store buys from reputable breeders, they will provide information for you about where the puppies were bred, and in most cases, contact information so you can contact the breeder directly.
- If the pet store doesn’t provide information on the dog’s and parent’s healthy history, pedigree, and breeder, don’t buy pets from that store.^{[13]XResearch source}
6
Consider adoption. There are numerous miniature pinschers bred each year who need good homes, but for any number of reasons are not housed. That’s why adoption is so important. Rescuing an adult or puppy is also a great way to get a min pin at an affordable price. Purebred min pins can cost between $400 and $700, but rescues typically cost between $50 and $100 from shelters or a small rehousing fee from other rescues.
- Check with the Internet Miniature Pinscher Service (IMPS) here http://www.minpinrescue.org/.
- The Miniature Pinscher Club of America also has a division devoted entirely to rescuing dogs http://www.minpin.org/?page_id=23821.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Ensuring a Min Pin is Right for Your Family

The miniature pinscher is the perfect choice if you live in an apartment. These small dogs can get adequate activity in the house and with a few walks a day. If left alone in the fenced yard, make sure it is secure since the min pin may try to escape.^{[14]XResearch source}
2
Plan for care. The miniature pinscher is highly intelligent and it learns very quickly. Without proper training as a puppy, the min pin can become stubborn, but with persistence, even older dogs who try to assert dominance and resist training can be trained. As long as you take the time to interact with and integrate your min pin into the home, they are wonderful, highly entertaining pets.
- Don’t leave a min pin alone with nothing to do. They're intelligent dogs and need mental stimulation to prevent destructive behavior.
- Protect your min pin from cold. Because of their small size and short coat, min pins are sensitive to cold weather. Plan to keep them mostly indoors during cold weather. Try a dog sweater or coat on them during winter when they are outdoors.^{[15]XResearch source}
Whether this is your first dog or your 50th, you never really know how you’ll bond with your new pet. For this reason, most breeders and retailers have a return policy. The goal is to make sure you have the right dog for your home and family, and that the dogs are able to find a home where they’ll be safe and happy. Take advantage of these policies if you need to.^{[16]XResearch source}
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