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Miniature Pinschersby people whoown them

Min Pin dimensions: The small dog that thinks like a big dog3.5 - 5 kg25-30cm

PopularityMin Pin Kennel Clubregistrations havedropped by about aquarter in the lastdecade

We asked: what five words sum up Miniature Pinschers?. LovingIntelligentLoyalFunnyFearless

How smart are Min Pins?

The survey revealed 14would be a very good age for a Min Pin A few people told us of a dog who lived to 20 years. The Kennel Club say average lifeexpectancy is (more than) 12.

Most popularnames?ArchieCookieCooperCrackerDexterDivaLola MinnieNellie NeoNinaRonnieSpiceTeddy

Average exercise for a Min Pin

WhatareMin Pinsreallylike to livewith?

Do Min Pins think they are human?

Who usually makes an ideal owner?

How healthy are they?

What sort of health problems did the 8% experience? "Milo is super healthy, we’vejust had to go to the vet's, as heate a snail once and the shellscratched his throat and he endedup needing a pill to preventlungworm. And another time hedidn’t listen and ate a piece ofpolystyrene off the floor during awalk and had to go to the vet.""Back issues and knee problems if you letthem jump from high areas, like the bed orfrom sofas. From the start, get little stairsand good habits. Never over feed or they willgain weight very fast - hard to lose it." "Mine has epilepsy."

The Kennel Club does not currently ask eventheir elite breeders to do any health checks... But the inbreedingcoefficient (COI)should be as low aspossible. The Kennel Clubbreed average COI is11.0% which is quitehigh. Keeping thegene pool as largeas possible will helpthis ancient breedstay healthy.

The breed club thinks it's a good idea to test the dogs' kneecaps The Miniature Pinscher Club hasintroduced a testing scheme forpatella luxation (slipping kneecap)using the Putnam (1968) ScoringSystem. The club’s aim is to have as manyMiniature Pinschers as possiblescreened using the scheme, butcertainly, individual animals to beused in breeding programmes shouldbe tested prior to mating. The optimum age for testing isbetween 12 and 24 months, but dogscan be tested from 12 monthsonwards with no upper age limit. There are also a range of DNA testsand dogs can be screened for eye andhip problems, but the Kennel Clubhas not made these tests mandatoryfor Assured Breeders.

Why do people love this breedabove all others? "They are quick andintelligent. Can beannoying and loud,but they makeamazing hot waterbottles.""Funny and so easy. Hewill walk for miles if Iask him to, but isequally happy to lieunder a blanket all dayon the sofa." "Small and tough like me. He puffs his chest and will stand up for his family no matter what the risk.""They're the mostlovable, superintelligent, trainable,loyal characters.Everything you couldever want in a smallpackage. King of toys.""Easy to takeeverywhere withus, feisty,intelligent, loyaland big dog in asmall dog's body.""Small, but loves longwalks."

We asked ownerswhich behavioursthey had observedin their Min Pins

What if they smell arat... or a squirrel?

That 'other' slicewas rather large...we were intrigued "Mine likes chasing and catching pheasants." "Hasn't caught asquirrel, but caughtrabbits, voles, rats, dug upmoles, even caught aweasel." "Would chase but can’t, ason a lead." "Will chase but recalls off."

"Make sure yourgarden is safe, as theyare very curious dogs.You must have time totake them out, as theylove to socialise butalso like to havecompany in thehome." Advice for others thinking ofgetting a Min Pin"They aresmall but veryactive - theyneed plenty ofexercise andcan be verynoisy."

"Firm and fair is requiredand excellent fencing.""Start recall straight awayand make sure you get themused to being left, to avoidseparation anxiety.""They arehigh-energy but loyal andloving.""Do your research. If it is your firstdog, do get aprofessionaltrainer. This breedis not for the fainthearted. They arenot lazy lap dogs,they need a job andlots of stimulation."

"They are high-energyand demanding, so beprepared. If you put the time in,they are so worth it." "Research and makesure you choose abreeder who will alwaysbe there for you." "Check for knee/hip issues."

"Be prepared totreat your puppy asif it were a largebreed, as they havethe heart of a lion."

Please do share your experience of owning this breed: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/MinPinOwners