Kennel Club Group	Toy
Lifespan	10 - 14 Years
Height (at the withers)	Males and Females 10in - 12in
Weight	Males and Females 8lb - 10lb
Coat	Coats are Smooth, Hard, Shiny and Close Lying
Color	Black & Tan, Blue & Tan, Chocolate & Tan, Red
Eye color	Black
Common health issues	Patellar luxation, Legg-Calve-Perthes, Mucopolysaccharidosis, Diabetes, Congenital deafness, Progressive retinal atrophy, Glaucoma, Optic nerve hypoplasia, Alopecia
Other Names	Min Pin, King of the Toys, Zwergpinscher

The Min Pin is discussed as being both very strong-willed and bursting full of energy - true to their Terrier heritage. They are also a highly curious breed and like to know what's going on around them, making them excellent watchdogs. Their high intelligence also means they are relatively easy to train and quick to pick things up, which does also include bad habits. However, they absolutely love family and form extremely strong bonds with their owners, which remains unbreakable throughout their lives. These dogs need plenty of socialization and training from a young age so that they mature into happy and well-rounded pets!

The Miniature Pinscher is not to be confused with the large Doberman Pinscher breed, although the Min Pin looks like a shrunken replica. The Doberman is a younger breed than this one. Unfortunately, the Min Pin’s ancestry is under debate. Most people can agree this breed is very old, dating to possibly 2,000 years ago, but detailed accounts of this breed were only kept starting in the 19th century. Most believe they hail from the German Pinscher family, Pinscher being the German term for used for biter or terrier. Some people have also suggested the Italian Greyhound and the Dachshund influenced breed development. The red coat variety of the dog was nicknamed the Reh Pinscher for their similarity to small red deer living in Germany at the time. By the late 1800s development of the canine was underway and the Pinscher Klub was formed in Germany; the association was later renamed the Pinscher-Schnauzer Klub.

By 1900, the Min Pin was being shown at the Stuttgart Dog Show in Germany. Only a short 19 years later, they arrived in the United States where they gained popularity. By 1929, the Miniature Pinscher Club of America was formed, and the breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club the same year. Originally, this breed was used to help control the rat populations just like a Manchester Terrier, but now the Min Pin is considered a wonderful companion dog. Today, this small package breed with their regal look and stout heart has earned the nickname “King of Toys”.