German Pinscher
The German Pinscher was bred to be a working dog, mainly to catch mice and rats in stables. These days they are companion dogs but have not forgotten their instinctive drive to hunt.
They are very playful, fearless and energetic dogs. This could be the perfect breed for you if you are looking for a running partner or a great watchdog.
Working dogs need a lot of exercise and this guy is no different. They need plenty of walks and playtime. They could make the perfect jogging partner, this is not a breed for couch potatoes, and you will need to be able to commit to long walks and endless games to keep them happy. This could be an apartment/flat dog, but it would take a significant commitment to meet all their needs.
They love their families and are good with kids; however, they have their limits to being pulled around, so probably best to avoid this breed if you have youngsters. They are very playful, so older kids, though will spend hours running around the back garden with them.
They are excellent watchdogs and even better guard dogs. They will alert you to any suspicious activities going on outside, and if needed, they will protect their families to the bitter end. They are very un-trusting of strangers, and you will need to make sure you give them plenty of opportunities to socialise to combat this.
They should be OK with other dogs, but they may be better as the only dog in the household; you might want to avoid two males together. Cats may be OK if brought up with them. They were bred to hunt small animals, so they will normally chase neighbourhood cats with delight, and they are quick, make sure they can’t escape from your garden.
They are intelligent dogs but can be very headstrong. You will need to discover their motivation reward early on to get the best out of them. You will need to use consistency and assert yourself as the top dog early on to get them to listen to you. Then you will have a lovely well-trained companion for life.
Their smooth hair is very low maintenance its short and they shed moderately all year round, and they tend to shed worse during autumn and spring as they change their coats. Weekly brushing will be enough to keep it under control.
German Pinscher Stats
The German Pinscher originated in Germany. In the 19th century, the German Pinscher was used as a stable dog to protect the stable as a guard and to kill rats and mice. Working dogs are known for their vermin hunting skills and instinctual desire to protect home and family.
- Weight -11kg –13kg
- Size – 41cm – 48cm
- They live for 12-14 years
