All About the Mini Doberman: 7 Things You Didn’t Know
The Mini-Doberman Pinscher is not actually a mini Doberman in all reality, however, it is said that there is likelihood that there is a common ancestor between the two breeds. The breed was primarily a European breed up until the early 1900’s until it merged over to the U.S., but was not recognized as a true breed by the American Kennel Club until 1925. The Mini-Doberman is a toy breed, which is the same group you will find the Chihuahua and other similar breeds in. These are typically a fun, entertaining and feisty breed of dog, and can be a real joy for a family to own. They love to be around people, but do have their own little quirks that make them unique. The Mini-Doberman is a popular breed throughout the US. Many people who love to be active and want to have an active, small dog they can take with them on their adventures, are finding the Mini-Doberman to be a great companion. Keep reading to learn all about the Mini-Doberman and find out seven things you didn’t know.
1. Its real name
Although this breed is referred to as the Mini-Doberman, it is technically known as a Miniature Pinscher. He is also referred to as a Mini Pin. The reason he is called a Mini-Doberman is for a couple reasons. First, there is the belief that there is a lineage connection between the Pinscher and the Doberman. Studies into the breed’s heritage shows there is a great possibility that somewhere down the line, these two breeds crossed. The second is for the fact that the two have very similar physical characteristics, of course, the mini, on a much smaller scale.
2. Major lap dog
Although the cuddling comes on his terms, the Mini Pin loves the attention he gets from his owner and loves to be in your lap, snuggling. He loves comfortable spots and you may find that if he gets too comfortable on your lap on the couch, you may have a hard time removing him when you try to stand. Other comfortable spots the Mini-Doberman will seek out, are spots on a blanket, bed, or chair. Wherever he can kick back and chill, you will probably find your Mini-Pin.
3. Always needs to be on a leash
This is an outdoorsy type of dog. This breed has a lot of energy and loves to run and play, and should. One thing you want to be sure of is when you are out for a walk, run or any other activity, he should always be kept on a leash because this breed is also very quick, curious and sharp-eyed. They will spot something far off that they suddenly want to take off after, and this breed does not come back – not easily. Unless your Mini-Doberman is highly trained, you may find that trying to retrieve your dog is a much harder task than you bargained for.
4. Escape artists
Many owners think that because their yard is fenced in, it safe to leave their dog out back to roam and play. For some breeds, it is logical to think that because most breeds stay where you put them. The Mini-Doberman, however, has a notorious streak of being escape artists. They simply don’t stay where you put them and will climb and use their cleverness to find a way out. You will want to be sure that no rock is left unturned when you put your dog in yard, or other place where you think there is any chance of escape by making sure it is extremely secure and there are no escape routes for him.
5. Socialization is critical
These are very territorial dogs. They make great watch and protective dogs, but they can be a danger to others if they are not socialized properly. When a Mini-Doberman sees a stranger approaching, they will begin to warn you with an aggressive type of barking, loud and vocal. They are known to start kicking their feet around and show their backside. They get antsy around strangers, which means that socializing should be taken seriously in order to train them on how to behave around other people and animals in order to prevent injuries to others.
6. They are tough on toys
The Mini-Doberman is a determined little dog. They show their determination in a few ways, including how they treat their toys. They’re hard on them, ripping them up, tearing the squeaky out of them, and tearing a stuffed animal to pieces. They can be trained to be better behaved and more calm at command, but in the right hands of the right dog owner. They are known to be demanding, so this is not really the best breed of dog for a novice dog owner. One thing that they will be stubborn with when training, is housebreaking. They will need someone who is consistent and firm, but not harsh.
7. Health conditions
All dogs are prone to getting certain health issues, especially the genetic conditions that run in the breed, and/or family history. Some of the most common health conditions the Mini-Doberman are prone to get include; a luxating patella. This is a condition where the knee can get pushed out of position. Genetic disorders include, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, hip disease, and mucopolysaccharidosis, simply put, it’s the way the body processes sugar molecules. They will need regular vete checks to make sure they are staying healthy so that they can live to life to the fullest of their life span, which is 12 to 15 years.
