German Pinscher

also known as Standard Pinscher, Glatthaariger Pinscher

Pros Summary


The German Pinscher is a medium-sized, herding dog breed that originated in Germany. They were originally bred as ratters and guard dogs. The breed's name "German Pinscher" comes from its origins in Germany and its purpose as a Pinscher (terrier) breed. The breed was first recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) in 1884. It is also recognized by other kennel clubs and organizations such as the United Kennel Club (UKC) and the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2003. They are known for their active, alert and loyal personalities. They make great family pets, but they require regular exercise and consistent training.

Breed Information


Type

Is German Pinscher a purebred?

Purebred

Purpose

What were German Pinschers originally used for?

ratting

Lifespan

How Long Do German Pinschers Live? What is average life expectancy for a German Pinscher? How long can German Pinschers live?

12-15 years

The average German Pinscher lifespan is somewhere between 12-15 years, provided they aren't beset by any exceptional health issues or injuries.

German Pinscher Height & Weight


How big is a full grown German Pinscher?

What is the average height of a German Pinscher? How big is a Purebred German Pinscher height? German Pinscher dog height:
Height
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 24-26 inches (61 - 66 cm) 19.0 inches (48.3 cm) 23.0 inches (58.4 cm) 25.0 inches (63.5 cm)
Female 22-24 inches (55.9 - 61 cm) 17.0 inches (43.2 cm) 21.0 inches (53.3 cm) 23.0 inches (58.4 cm)
What is the average weight of a German Pinscher? How much should German Pinschers weigh?
Weight
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 65-90 pounds (29 - 41 kg) 40.0 pounds (18 kg) 60.0 pounds (27 kg) 77.5 pounds (35 kg)
Female 50-70 pounds (23 - 32 kg) 32.5 pounds (15 kg) 52.5 pounds (24 kg) 60.0 pounds (27 kg)
Weight Gain Potential

Do German Pinschers get fat easily?

The German Pinscher is a breed that has an average risk of becoming obese. Daily walks and a balanced diet of quality dry dog food can help maintain a healthy weight. An active lifestyle and monitoring weight regularly is recommended.

Hypoallergenic

Are German Pinschers Hypoallergenic?

No

Unfortunately, the German Pinscher is not hypoallergenic, making it not a good choice for a dog lover who suffers from pet allergies.

Temperament

What is a German Pinscher personality? What are German Pinscher dogs best known for?

Outright
Tempered
Courageous
Loving
Familiar
Lively
Spirited

Shedding Level

Are German Pinschers heavy shedders? How Much Does a German Pinscher Shed?

German Pinscher will shed a negligible amount of hair. Some owners say that they do not shed, but that is not true. But the amount of shedding can be rather light than other dog breeds. If you do not want to deal with the hairs flying around in your home, then this breed is a perfect choice for you.

Watchdog Ability

What is the watchdog ability of a German Pinscher dog?

The German Pinscher dog is one of the best choice if you want a good watchdog. This breed will keep watch over you and your family at all times. This breed takes this task seriously and will typically perform its guarding duty with little to no training. This dog will require obedience training, or you can consider guard dog training to sharpen its skills.

Breed History


Origin

Where do German Pinschers come from?

Germany

Ancestry

What are German Pinschers descended from?

rattenfanger

Breed recognition

What organizations or kennel clubs recognize/register the German Pinscher breed?

American Canine Registry
American Kennel Club
America's Pet Registry
Dog Registry of America Inc.
Federation Cynologique Internationale
Kennel Club of Great Britain
North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
American Canine Association, Inc.
Australian National Kennel Council
Continental Kennel Club
National Kennel Club
New Zealand Kennel Club

Date of Birth

When were German Pinschers first bred? How old is the German Pinscher breed?

1600s

Breed Group

What Breed Group is a German Pinscher?

Working (AKC:2003)
Terrier (UKC)

German Pinscher Appearance


Eye Color Possibilites

What color are German Pinscher eyes?

Hazel
Brown

Nose Color Possibilites

What color can German Pinscher nose be naturally?

Black
Brown

Coat Color Possibilites

What color can German Pinscher coat be naturally?

Black
Fawn
Red
Brown
Blue

Coat Length

How long is a German Pinschers coat?

The coat of a German Pinscher dog ranges in length from short to medium.

Coat Density

How Dense Is The German Pinscher Coat?

Coat Texture

What is the texture of the hair of a German Pinscher?

Wiry

Litter Size

How many puppies can a German Pinscher have in a litter? How many puppies can a German Pinscher have in her first litter?

12-15 puppies per pregnancy

A German Pinscher can have a litter of 12-15 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Adaptability

German Pinscher dogs generally adapt well to changes in lifestyle and different living environments, but it is considered as an average level of adaptability compared to other breeds.

German Pinscher Health Issues


Health Issues

Do German Pinschers have a lot of health problems?

The German Pinscher breed is commonly healthy with low vet costs, regular check-ups may not be as necessary but it's important to keep an eye on their health and have them checked by a veterinarian when needed.

Major Concerns

What are the major health concerns to be aware of when owning a German Pinscher?

Hip Dysplasia
Von Willebrand's Disease
Hypothyroidism
Congenital Heart Defect

Minor Concerns

What are the less significant issues to keep in mind when it comes to German Pinschers?

Cataracts

Occasional Tests

What are the occasional tests recommended for German Pinscher breed?

Cardiac
Eye
Hip
Dna Test For Vwd
Thyroid Tests

German Pinscher Needs and Activities


Energy

Do German Pinschers have a lot of energy?

German Pinschers are high-energy dogs, thus an active lifestyle suits them well.

Social Needs

Do German Pinschers need socialization? How social are German Pinschers?

German Pinschers have average social needs compared to other breeds. They are known to be less active and independent than other breeds, and they are content with spending time alone and with their human family.

Exercise Needed

How much exercise should German Pinschers get?

The German Pinscher dog needs significant physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They are also well-suited for those who lead an active lifestyle and enjoy activities such as running, hiking, or other outdoor pursuits.

Sleeping Need

How much sleep should a German Pinscher have? Do German Pinschers sleep a lot?

German Pinschers are active dogs that don't require as much sleep as other breeds. However, they still need enough sleep to stay healthy.

Drooling Tendency

Does a German Pinscher drool a lot?

The German Pinscher is a breed of dog that is characterized by its minimal drooling, making it an ideal choice for people who dislike drool marks on their clothing.

Tendency to Bark

How much does it bark?

German Pinschers tend to bark moderately, they bark when necessary, such as to alert their owner or to communicate something. They may also bark due to certain triggers like fear, alarm, boredom, greeting, separation anxiety and compulsive barking.

Territorial

Do German Pinschers exhibit aggressive behavior to safeguard their home and territory? Do they possess a natural tendency to guard?

These dogs are known for being extremely protective and make excellent guard dogs. They possess a strong instinct to defend their territory and owners and have a high level of vigilance and alertness.

Mouthiness

Are German Pinschers mouthy?

Roaming urge

What is the likelihood of a German Pinscher running away? Do they have a tendency to explore or wander frequently?

Prey Drive

Do German Pinscher dogs have a high prey drive?

Past times

What do German Pinschers enjoy doing? How do I keep my German Pinscher busy?

Walking, Petting, Running, Walk, Play, Run, Fetch, Hike

Activity Level

What is the energy level of a German Pinscher? How much energy does a German Pinscher have?

High

German Pinschers are high-energy dogs. They need mental as well as physical exercise. These dogs require a lot of your involvement and without it they can, and will, become problematic dogs.

Tolerance of being left alone

Walks per Week

How far should a German Pinscher walk each week? How many miles should a German Pinscher walk every week?

14 miles / week

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For German Pinscher, it's at least 14 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

Activity per Day

How much a German Pinscher should exercise a day? How much activity does a German Pinscher need?

90 minutes

In general most German Pinschers usually need at least 90 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

Grooming

What level of grooming should be provided for a German Pinscher?

The German Pinscher is a breed of dog that does not require extensive grooming.

Brushing Frequency

How often should you brush a German Pinscher?

Weekly

German Pinscher should be brushed at least once a week. Of course you can give them more frequent brushes if you find that they are still shedding a lot

Brushing Tools

What are the most commonly used brushing tools for German Pinschers?

Slicker Brush
Nail Clipper

Costs


Cups

How many cups of food does a German Pinscher eat?

3 cups

For an average 65-90 pound (29 - 41 kg) German Pinscher feed 3 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

Daily Cost

How Much Does a German Pinscher Cost Daily?

$2.10 - $2.70 / day

The average cost of a German Pinscher is somewhere $2.10 - $2.70 per day.

Monthly Cost

How Much Does a German Pinscher Cost Per Month?

$55 - $73 / month

The average per month expenses of a German Pinscher is between $55 - $73. This makes an average of $660 - $876 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

German Pinscher Characteristic


Intelligence

How intelligent is a German Pinscher?

The German Pinscher have below the average degree of obedience intelligence among other breeds. However, calling them “dumb dogs” is unfair. Where German Pinschers lack in obedience & working intelligence, they make up for it with their keen ability to understand human emotions.

Sensitivity Level

How sensitive is a German Pinscher dog?

This dog breed is more sensitive than others and easily overwhelmed by new surroundings and people. They need gentle handling and a calm, stable home environment with positive reinforcement training.

Affection Dependance

Are German Pinscher dogs affectionate?

Apartment Friendly

Do German Pinscher do well in apartments? Are German Pinschers good indoor dogs?

German Pinschers are dogs that do well in apartments with sufficient exercise, but they would really appreciate a small yard.

Child Friendly

Are German Pinschers good with kids? Are German Pinschers good around children?

German Pinschers are kid-friendly dogs. They are good with children and excellent dogs with children if they are socialized and trained at a young age.

Senior-friendly

Are German Pinschers good for elderly?

Cat Friendly

Are German Pinschers good with cats? How friendly German Pinschers are toward cats?

German Pinschers are an average cat friendly dog. They do well with cats, even more if raised together from puppyhood,

Dog Friendly

Do German Pinscher dogs get along with other dogs? Are German Pinschers OK with other dogs?

German Pinschers are average friendly towards other dogs. If they are raised with other dogs, they are likely to get along with them. And, if they are socialized properly from a young age, they will usually be great with other dogs.

Pet friendly

How do German Pinscher dogs interact with other pets? Are they considered pet-friendly?

Stranger Friendly

Are German Pinschers friendly with strangers?

German Pinschers are average friendly around strangers. They can be wary around strangers and a little standoffish. Early socialisation is key.

Playfulness

Do German Pinschers like to play? Are German Pinschers playful?

The German Pinscher is a playful dog. So, no matter how busy the day may get, the best thing you can do for your German Pinscher is to make time each day to play. It can be as little as 15-20 minutes, and it will mean the world to them.

Trainability

Are German Pinscher easily trained?

German Pinscher dogs are known for their ease of training and ability to learn quickly, making them a popular choice for pet owners and trainers alike.

Pros Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Lack of odor
    The German Pinscher is unlikely to produce a strong bad odor
  • Intelligent
    German Pinschers are highly intelligent and are easy to train.
  • Loyal
    German Pinschers are known to be very loyal to their owners.
  • Good Watchdog
    German Pinschers make good watchdogs and are protective of their family.
  • Minimal to no shedding
    Little to no shedding is a common trait among German Pinscher dogs.
  • Good with Children
    German Pinschers are generally good with children and can make great family pets.

Cons

  • Not Hypoallergenic
    German Pinschers may not be suitable for those with allergies due to their potential to cause allergic reactions.
  • Not suitable for office environment
    German Pinschers are not suited to the office environment
  • Needs Training
    German Pinschers require consistent training and socialization to prevent them from becoming aggressive.