| Miniature Pinscher | |||||||||||||
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 Miniature Pinscher | |||||||||||||
| Other names | Zwergpinscher | ||||||||||||
| Common nicknames | Min Pin, King of the Toys | ||||||||||||
| Origin | Germany | ||||||||||||
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| Dog (domestic dog) | |||||||||||||
The Miniature Pinscher, also known as the Zwergpinscher and Mini Pin, is a small breed of dog of the pinscher type originating in Germany. While the breed's visual similarities to the Toy Manchester Terrier, which somewhat resembles the Pinscher breeds, remain a matter of controversy, genetic research (published in 2017) has shown that the two breeds have shared, unique ancestry.[1] The ancestors of the Toy Manchester and Miniature Pinscher may have become geographically separated many centuries ago and retained similarities simply through breeding selection for the same traits; nevertheless, the 2017 research also showed that the two breeds remain more closely related to each other than to other breeds.[2] The breed's ancestors may also include the German Pinscher, Italian greyhounds and dachshunds.[3] The Miniature Pinscher's known origins are in Germany, where it was often referred to as the Zwerg Pinscher (Dwarf Biter) in historical documents. German Kennel Club documents also refer to the Miniature Pinscher as the "reh" Pinscher, but this term is only used for a dog of stag-red color, "reh" referring to a small red deer formerly found in German forests. The Miniature Pinscher originated several centuries ago as an efficient barnyard ratter.
Historical artifacts and paintings place the Miniature Pinscher as a very old breed, but factual documentation began less than 200 years ago, leaving its actual origins to debate. Many historians and those who have researched the background of the breed agree that this heritage is most likely correct, adding the shorthaired German Pinscher to the family tree. The international kennel club, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, lists the Miniature Pinscher in Group 2, Section 1.1 Pinscher, along with the Dobermann, the German Pinscher, the Austrian Pinscher, and the other Toy Pinscher, the Affenpinscher.[4] Other kennel clubs list the Miniature Pinscher in the Toy Group or Companion Group.
- ^ Heidi G. Parker; Dayna L. Dreger; Maud Rimbault; Brian W. Davis; Alexandra B. Mullen; et al. (April 25, 2017). "Genomic Analyses Reveal the Influence of Geographic Origin, Migration, and Hybridization on Modern Dog Breed Development". Cell Reports. 19 (4): 697–708. doi:10.1016/j.celrep.2017.03.079. PMC 5492993.
- ^ Hence the Miniature Pinscher is not a "scaled-down" version of the much larger Doberman Pinscher, although both may share some recent ancestry. Genetic research therefore excludes significant relationships between the Miniature Pinscher and breeds such as the Dachshund and Italian Greyhound, previously suggested by historians and other researchers of the breed (American Kennel Club)
- ^ "Miniature Pinscher History". American Kennel Club. Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ "Zwergpinscher". Fédération Cynologique Internationale. Retrieved 14 October 2016.