Miniature Pinscher.

Miniature Pinscher. Miniature Pinscher, breed of toy dog. Although the miniature pinscher has most of the physical attributes of the Doberman pinscher, on a small scale, it is not a miniature variety of the Doberman as the toy poodle is of the poodle and the miniature schnauzer is of the schnauzer. The miniature pinscher originated in Germany several centuries ago and was particularly popular in that country from about 1905 to 1914. It was not extensively bred outside Germany, except in the Scandinavian countries, until after 1918. The breed was imported into the United States about 1919 and became very popular after 1929. The miniature pinscher has a flat skull tapering toward the muzzle; dark, slightly oval eyes; upstanding ears; a gracefully curved neck; a compact muscular body; and a broad tail, set high. The animal possesses a flat coat of thick, hard, lustrous hair. The color of the coat is either black with tan, red, or yellow markings; solid red; solid brown; or brown with yellow or red markings. White or gray, with yellow, black, or red markings, are considered faults. The dog is 25 to 32 cm (10 to 12.5 in) high at the shoulders, or withers; it weighs about 3 to 5 kg (about 6 to 10 lb). The miniature pinscher is greatly valued as a pet, a keen watchdog, and a show dog. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.