German
Pinscher, German
Pinschers
However, the German
Pinscher has always been more closely associated with the Standard Schnauzer. In
fact, it is thought the Standard Schnauzer was originally referred to as the
Wire Haired Pinscher. The Wire Haired and Smooth Haired Pinschers or the modern
day German Pinscher and Standard Schnauzer are shown in books as early as 1884.
It was officially designated a distinct breed in Germany where the first
Pinscher Club was formed. At the time the short coat was the main emphasis and
coloration varied. The breed came close to extinction as a result of World War I
and World War II. Werner Jung is credited with saving the breed in 1958 using a
German Pinscher bitch that was fortunate enough to get pas East Germany's iron
curtain.
A working dog, German Pinschers are known for their vermin hunting skills and
instinctual desire to protect home and family. The German Pinscher's natural
hunting abilities give them a keen sense of prey, drive and determination. The
German Pinscher is of strong will and mind and can be manipulative and stubborn
when they want their own way. They are territorial and can be quite possessive
of their owners and property. Highly intelligent with expressive animation the
German Pinscher commands attention as it conveys the impression that this dog is
ready to go to work and learn the desired task at hand. Willing learners, they
make wonderful multipurpose companions with firm but gentle and consistent
discipline. German Pinschers are high-energy that enjoy adventure in any form.
General Appearance: The German Pinscher is a medium size, short coated dog, elegant in appearance
with a strong square build and moderate body structure, muscular and powerful
for endurance and agility. Energetic, watchful, alert, agile, fearless,
determined, intelligent and loyal, the German Pinscher has the prerequisites to
be an excellent watchdog and companion. The German Pinscher is examined on the
ground.
Size, Proportion, Substance:
Size- the ideal height at he highest point of the withers for a dog or
bitch is 17 - 20 inches. Size should be penalized in accordance with the degree
it deviates from the ideal. Quality should always take precedence over size. Faults-
under 17 inches or over 20 inches. Proportion- squarely built in
proportion of body length to height. The height at the highest point of the
withers equals the length of the body from the point of the shoulder to the
rump. Substance- muscular with moderate bone.
Head and Skull: Powerful, elongated without the occiput being too pronounced and resembles a
blunt wedge in both frontal and profile views. The total length of the head from
the tip of the nose to the occiput is one half the length from the withers to
the base of the tail resulting in a ration of approximately 1:2. Expression-
sharp, alert and responsive. Eyes- medium size, dark, oval in shape
without the appearance of bulging. The eyelid is tight and the eyeball
non-protruding. Ears- set high, symmetrical, and carried erect when
cropped. If uncropped, they are V-shaped with a folding pleat, or small standing
ears carried evenly upright. Skull- flat, unwrinkled from occiput to
stop. The stop is slight but distinct. Muzzle- parallel and equal in
length to the topskull and ends in a blunt wedge. The cheeks are muscled
and flat. Nose- full and black. Lips- black, close fitting. Bite-
strong, scissors bite with complete dentition and white teeth. Faults-
overshot or undershot bites, absence of primary molars.
Neck, Topline, Body: Neck- elegant and strong, of moderate thickness and length, nape
elegantly arched. The skin is tight, closely fitting to the dry throat without
wrinkles, sagging, or dewlaps. Topline- is not perfectly level when
standing naturally, but should have a slight descending slope from the top of
the wither to the start of the back, with a very slight rise over the
well-muscled loin to the faintly curved croup. Back- short and close
coupled. Faults- long back not giving the appearance of squarely built,
roach back and sway back. Body- compact, strong, short coupled so as to
permit greater flexibility and agility. Loin- the distance between the
last rib to the haunch is short, giving the dog a compact, short coupled
appearance. Chest- moderately wide with well-sprung ribs, and if could be
seen in cross-section would be oval. The breastbone is prominently constructed
through the forechest and extends over the height of the point of shoulder. The
brisket descends to the elbows and ascends gradually to the rear with the belly
moderately drawn up. Fault- excessive tuck up. Tail- moderately
set and carried above the horizontal. Customarily docked between the second and
third joints.
Forequarters: The slopping shoulder blades are strongly muscled, yet flat and well laid back.
They are well angled and slope forward to the point they join the upper arm.
Such angulation permits the maximum forward extension of the forelegs without
binding or effort. Forelegs- straight and well boned, perfectly vertical
when viewed from all sides, set moderately apart with elbows set close to the
body. Dewclaws on the forelegs may be removed. Pasterns- firm and almost
perpendicular to the ground. Feet- short, round, compact with firm dark
pads and dark nails. The toes well closed and arched like cat feet.
Hindquarters: The thighs are strongly muscled and in balance with forequarters. The hocks are
well bent and well boned, with good angulation. When viewed from the rear, the
hocks are parallel to each other.
Coat: Short and dense, smooth and close lying. Shiny and covers the body without bald
spots. A hard coat should not be penalized.
Color: Isabella (fawn), to red in various shades to stag red (red with intermingling of
black hairs), black and blues with red/tan markings. In the reds, a rich vibrant
medium to dark shade is preferred. In bi-colored dogs, sharply marked dark and
rich red/tan markings are desirable. Markings distributed as follows; at cheeks,
lops, lower jaw, above eyes, at throat, on forechest as two triangles distinctly
separated from each other, at metatarus or pasterns, forelegs, feet, inner side
of hind legs and vent region. Pencil marks on the toes are acceptable. Any white
markings on the dog are undesirable. A few white hairs do not constitute a
marking.
Gait: Strong, free, well-balanced gait, with good reach in front and strong drive
behind. At the trot the back remains firm and level, without swaying, rolling,
or roaching. When viewed from the rear, the feet, though they may appear to
travel close, must not cross or strike each other. Fault- hackney gait.
Temperament: The German Pinscher has highly developed senses, intelligence, aptitude for
training, fearlessness, endurance and resistance to illness. He is alert,
vigilant, deliberate and watchful of strangers. He has fearless courage and
tenacity if threatened. A very vivacious dog but not an excessive barker. He
should not show viciousness by unwarranted of unprovoked attack. Note- Great
consideration should be given to a dog giving the desired alert, highly
intelligent, vivacious character of the German Pinscher. Aggressive behavior
toward another dog is not deemed viciousness. Faults- shy.
The foregoing description is that of the ideal German Pinscher. Any deviation
from this is to be penalized to the extent of the deviation.
top german pinscher links:
| |
|
