Orlovia
German Pinschers are smart, affectionate, loyal, and cuddly. They are therefore often touted as the ideal family dog. And they can become that too if the upbringing is done lovingly, consistently, and with a lot of patience and if the active dogs are sufficiently utilized.
History of the German Pinscher
There are various theories about the origin of the German Pinscher. Some see the ancestors of the German Pinscher in the peat dogs, which were the companions of the stilt dwellers of southern Germany as early as 3,000 years ago. Another theory holds that the German Pinscher descended from the terriers of Britain. Another sees the roots of the German Pinscher in the Pinzgau in Austria. The fact is that the ancestors of the pinschers were widespread on farms and estates, where they kept the stables free of rats.
Pinschers were also companions of carriages and wagons. They guarded the vehicles whenever the driver had to leave them alone and kept potential thieves at bay. They often had to accompany the carriages for miles, sometimes up to 20 kilometers. They were therefore bred for endurance. Pinschers who lived on the farms had to lead an independent life. They slept in the stable and had to hunt their own food.
The breed first appeared in the German dog registry in 1880. In 1895 the Pinscher Club was founded. At that time, both rough-haired and smooth-haired dogs were allowed to breed. In 1917 the two breeds were separated and the wire-haired variant was given the name “Schnauzer”. To this day, these two independent breeds are united in the Pinscher Schnauzer Club 1895. At that time, the Miniature Schnauzer also split off as an independent breed.
Even in the days when the two breeds were still united, the short-haired variant was less common. It continued to lose popularity and by the end of World War II the German Pinschers had all but died out. Werner Jung, a lover of the breed, saved it from disappearing altogether, including with four oversized Miniature Pinschers. The German Pinscher received a major boost in popularity when it was named endangered livestock breed of the year in 2003 by the Society for the Preservation of Old and Endangered Domestic Breeds. The formerly stable carriage dog has become a loyal companion for people who are active in sports.
Essence and Character
The German Pinscher is considered spirited, smart, active, and alert. In the house and with his family he is very cuddly. He is very affectionate and demands his human’s attention whenever he wants it. Children in the family should be a little older and be able to understand the animal. Like a dog whose ancestors had to fend for themselves, they are very independent and confident. Some accuse him of being idiosyncratic. He has a reputation for being stubborn and only following orders when he also thinks they are right. If he feels he has been treated unfairly, he tends to be defiant.
His hunting instinct is very strong and at the sight of potential prey, he forgets all obedience. His protective instinct is also strong and the German Pinscher is suspicious of strangers at first. When dealing with other dogs, sympathy decides. He has to get used to cats and small animals as a puppy, otherwise, he will see them as prey.
Acquisition of a German Pinscher
Thinking about getting a German Pinscher? Basically, this is a good choice, but you have to consider a few things. A German Pinscher needs a lot of attention. Outside its sport and games that he demands, inside the house it’s cuddles. Can you find this time? Do you already have experience in training a dog? Because you have to convey to your German Pinscher that you are the pack leader, which is difficult with this confident and responsible dog. You should definitely have some experience.
What do I need to pay attention to when purchasing?
Even today, the German Pinscher is a rather rare breed of dog. You have to be prepared to wait a long time before you get a puppy because breeders often already have waiting lists. Often you have to accept a longer journey. Under no circumstances should you succumb to the temptation and buy a supposedly cheap puppy from the internet.
The papers for these animals are often forged and the young dogs are already ill because they were separated from their mother far too early so that she could be mated as quickly as possible in order to have new puppies and continue to boost business. You can tell a reputable breeder by allowing you to visit and meet your puppy’s mother and siblings. He will answer all your questions and will also be at your side with advice and action after the purchase. A good indication of whether it is a reputable breeder is usually membership in the Association for German Dogs (VDH).