Min Pain or Min Pin?

If you describe the Min Pin as a miniature Doberman, you will probably offend a true Min Pin lover! While their ancestry developed in the same country (Germany) and both may have a good portion of Black & Tan Terrier in their bloodlines, there is the end of the similarities.

Similar small dogs had been known across Scandinavia and Germany for several centuries, but the breeding standard for the Miniature Pinscher did not develop until around 1859 with the forming of the Pinscher Klub. Ever since their status has even challenged the Dachshund's popularity. During World War I it slowed down, but the fire flared up again by the 1920s with the import of several dogs to even the United States. Once shown as 'Miscellaneous', the Min Pins worked their way up to fame.

The original goal was a large dog bred on Terrier lines. Louis Dobermann, living in Thuringia in Germany, wanted a graceful and agile dog that possessed the strength of a German Shepherd. While he developed what became the Dobermann Pinscher, another group of breeders created the Boxers, Shepherds and Riesen-Schnauzer. When the Dobermann became popular, breeders of small dogs loved the look and wanted something similar. By mixing Italian Greyhounds and Dachshunds, the Miniature Pinscher was created!

And, born with the original German attitude and a good amount of the typical small dog Napoleon Complex, a fierce and self-confident dog surfaced!

Min Pins are not for the Beginners! They have been generally described as stubborn and willful. They are outgoing, independent and very active. These busy minds are always on the move. They are also very capable of escaping anything that isn't 'Min Pin-Proof', so a kennel with a 'lid' on it is a must! Many Min Pin owners I know have also told me that they can be hard to house-train.

A friend of mine has a Min Pin called Teacup and she has to be the most aggressive thing I ever met! I started wearing steel-toed shows to visit her house because she greats every visitor like they are Enemies of the State! I would walk in and in seconds have this tiny monster attack my feet. This did not stop (especially since my friend seems to think that funny) until one day I had just stopped by really quick and had wandered in with tennis shoes. She caught my toes and a natural reaction was to shake of the object of pain. She left three bloody teeth marks on my toes and I nipped her in the nose hard enough that she tumbled.
It was by no means on purpose, but after that we had a mutual understanding. She would actually lay beside me on the couch, but I never did become true friends with her. She was a little spoiled monster and, sorry, my dogs wouldn't be allowed to behave like that!

So when a black Dachshund I was going to rescue was to come with his Min Pin friend, I was a bit... set back! But, I am not one to leave a friend or family member behind in a shelter and let it die!

What a surprise!

Quincy is what you see on the picture! He is the most affectionate snuggle bug you can think of and will love you to bits and pieces; one piece at the time!
He adopted my younger son and will follow him around like a shadow. They are often seen sitting in his chair together, playing Wii. I don't know if he gives instructions, but he is definitely very interested in the game!

I do have to say one thing about him: He does not know his size! I don't know how many times I had to go after him to prevent him from starting an argument with my Irish Wolfhound mixes; 10lbs vs 85-90! Somebody seriously needs to have a chat with him and let him know his actual size; not size of character!

I don't know if he is full-blooded. It's not important and never ever was. I want a family member that does attempt to 'fit in' in my hopefully peacefully living together pack of spoiled rotten brats. Quincy does. And he does that in his unique and very loving way!