German Pinscher

  • Overview

    German Pinschers are hard-working, muscle-bound dogs of a medium-sized build who were bred to hunt rats and other small vermin in Germany. They are the first ancestor of Doberman Pinschers and Miniature Pinschers, who share many of their traits in differently-sized packages. German Pinschers stand between 1 ½ feet and 1 foot, 8 inches tall and usually weigh up to 45 pounds.

  • Personality

    German Pinschers are unfailingly mischievous. They retain puppy-like behaviors for most of their life, which means they won't hesitate to go looking for trouble, whether it's in the form of counter-top cruising, laundry retrieval or furniture demolition. A dominant trainer with a consistent set of firm rules is the best counterpoint to their naturally investigative natures. Still, these dogs can be trained, and once they devote themselves to their master, they are undyingly loyal and responsive. German Pinschers learn quickly — it's how they form all their mischievous habits — so they are receptive to training and learning commands. They are also sturdy, active dogs who will appreciate plenty of vigorous exercise outdoors. German Pinschers will not bark to amuse themselves, but they will sound the alarm at the sight of an intruder or a threat to their owners. They bond closely to their family and will not tolerate being left out of family activities. German Pinschers love to insert themselves into to situations when they believe they should be included. Socialization is key for polite German Pinschers, who risk becoming aloof or aggressive if they do not spend some time meeting other dogs and people. With careful, consistent training under an experienced, firm hand, German Pinschers can blossom into intelligent, devoted and affectionate companions who stop at nothing to protect and please their owners.

  • Coat Care

    German Pinschers come in shades of red, stag red (an intermingling of red and black hairs on a mainly red coat), Isabella (a shade of fawn) and black and tan. They should be densely coated over their entire body.

German Pinscher
Brushing icon

Brushing

These guys are a "wash and go" breed. Their smooth, short-haired coat needs occasional brushing to stay shiny, healthy and free of dead hair. Brush them weekly with a rubber bristle brush or a hound glove to remove dead hair and keep their coats looking glossy.

Bathing icon

Bathing

With preparation, perseverance and a positive attitude, bathing can become a fun and fulfilling part of the regular grooming cycle, while helping your dog avoid many diseases and infections.

The general rule of thumb for dog bathing is every three months but dogs with short coats do produce a distinctive dog odor, so your nose may encourage you to bathe them more frequently - about every 8-12 weeks. The coat should end up fresh smelling, shiny, with no loose or shedding hair. First give the dog a good brushing to remove dead hair and mats. Place a rubber mat in the tub to provide secure footing and fill the tub with three to four inches of lukewarm water. Use a spray hose, pitcher or unbreakable cup to wet the dog, taking caution to avoid getting water in the eyes, ears and nose. Massage in pet shampoo, saving the head for last. Immediately rinse thoroughly, starting with the head to prevent soap from dripping into the eyes. Towel dry. Wipe wrinkled breeds with a soft cloth and make sure they are totally dry after bathing; high-velocity dryers work great to remove excessive loose hair with shedding; coat should be fresh smelling, shiny, with no loose or shedding hair.

Hair clipping icon

Hair Clipping

Clipping or trimming your dog’s coat is far easier than you would ever imagine. With the right clipper, trimmer and scissors, giving your dog a haircut is easy on your wallet and your schedule.

Most dogs with short coats generally require occasional trims and tidying up in areas of excessive hair growth with trimmers or blunt scissors. It's always wise to take a dog for a short walk or exercise to calm them down before trimming. Remember to brush the coat first to remove tangles and mats. Use a trimmer or a scissors to even out areas around the tail, paws, sanitary areas and chest, as needed.  When finished, the coat should lay flat and smooth against the body of most short-haired dogs.

Nails icon

Nails

Many dog owners are apprehensive about trimming their dog’s nails because they are nervous about cutting into the quick. But with the right conditioning and careful cutting, nail clipping can be a simple, stress-free activity for you and your dog.

Provide your dog with plenty of positive reinforcement and even treats to help associate nail clipping with a positive experience.  As you start to clip, gently press on your dog’s paws to help him become accustomed to the feeling of having his nails clipped. Then, work gradually, shaving down just a thin portion of the nail at first to make sure you don’t reach the quick. Clip one nail, reward your dog with a treat, and stop to give him some positive reinforcement before moving on. Gradually increase the number of nails you clip in one sitting to help your dog get used to the process. Never trim extremely long nails down to a short nail in one sitting, because this is an excellent way to accidently quick the dog’s nail. Instead, work gradually, shaving small portions of your dog’s nails off each time.

You can tell if you’re getting close to the quick by the texture of your dog’s nail. The nail is hard closer to the surface and becomes softer as you get closer to the quick. If your dog’s nail starts to feel softer, that’s a good indication that you’re getting close to the quick.

Eyes/Ears icon

Eyes / Ears

Not all breeds and coat styles require routine trimming in and around the eyes and ears but all should undergo regular inspection and cleaning around these sensitive areas. Doing so will help prevent the development of infections that could seriously damage these amazing organs.

It is always important to routinely clean your dog's eyes and ears, and examine for potential infections. Some short-coated dogs, like hounds and mastiffs, have large, sensitive ears that should be checked  weekly for infection and cleaned with a cotton ball. Gently wipe a cotton ball moistened with mineral oil, olive oil or witch hazel in your dog's ear, being careful to avoid the ear canal. Never use a Q-Tip, which could cause damage to the inner ear if your dog suddenly shakes or jerks his head. Bushy hair growth within the ear can be thinned with tweezers or blunt scissors. Use a small trimmer to trim excess hair around the eyes, ears and face. If you have a small dog, like an Pug, take special care to  clean around their eyes with a cotton ball or soft cloth and use a small trimmer to trim excess hair around their eyes to make sure they are comfortable. Dogs with facial wrinkles, like Pugs and Dogues de Bordeaux, be wiped down at least weekly to prevent infection.

Teeth icon

Teeth

Many owners do not realize how important it is to brush your pet’s teeth on a regular basis. Some dogs are prone to dental problems and sensitive teeth, especially small dogs with tiny teeth and dogs with special diets. These problems can be easily combatted with frequent brushing.

Cavities are rare with dogs but gum disease caused by tartar buildup is not, which is why they require regular brushing with toothpaste and a toothbrush formulated specifically for dogs. While daily brushing is ideal, doing so on a weekly basis will be a big help in avoiding the need to bring your dog to a veterinarian for a cleaning, which usually has to be done under sedation.