Miniature Pinscher

A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

GENERAL APPEARANCE

Well balanced, sturdy, compact, elegant, short-coupled, smooth-coated Toy dog. Naturally well groomed, proud, vigorous and alert.

CHARACTERISTICS

Precise hackney gait, fearless animation, complete self-possession and spirited presence.

TEMPERAMENT

Fearless and alert.

HEAD AND SKULL

More elongated than short and round. Narrow, without conspicuous cheek formation. In proportion to body. Skull flat when viewed from front.  Muzzle rather strong and proportionate to skull. Nostrils well formed. Nose black with the exception of chocolate and blue in which it may be self-coloured. 

EYES

Fitting well into face. Neither too full nor round, nor too small or slanting. Black or nearly black.

EARS

Set on high, as small as possible, erect or dropped.

MOUTH

Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

NECK

Strong yet graceful, slightly arched. Well fitted into shoulders. Free from throatiness.

FOREQUARTERS

Forechest well developed and full, moderately broad; shoulders clean, sloping with moderate angulation. Legs straight, medium bone, elbows close to body.

BODY

Square, back line straight, sloping towards rear. Belly moderately tucked up. Ribs well sprung, deep rather than barrelled. Viewed from top slightly wedge-shaped.

HINDQUARTERS

Parallel and wide enough apart to fit in with a properly built body. Hindquarters well developed, muscular with good sweep of stifle, and hocks turning neither in nor out. Legs straight, medium bone.

FEET

Cat-like; nails dark.

TAIL

Previously customarily docked.

Docked: Short. Continuation of topline. Carried a little high.

Undocked: Continuation of topline. Set and carried a little high. Length to give an overall balanced appearance.

(*refer note below)

GAIT/MOVEMENT

Co-ordinated to permit a true hackneyed action.

COAT

Smooth, hard and short. Straight and lustrous. Closely adhering to and uniformly covering body. Hair forming ridge on any part of head, body or legs highly undesirable.

COLOUR

Black, blue, chocolate with sharply defined tan markings on cheeks, lips, lower jaw, throat, twin spots above eyes and chest, lower half of forelegs, inside of hindlegs and vent region, lower portion of hocks and feet. All above colours have black pencilling on toes without thumb marks, except chocolates which have brown pencilling. Solid red of various shades. Slight white on chest permissible but undesirable.

SIZE

Height from 25 - 30cm (10 - 12in) at withers.

FAULTS

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect on health & welfare of the dog

NOTE

• Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
• Only clinically and functionally healthy dogs with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding.

*Regardless of the provisions of the current KUSA-adopted standard, docked or formerly docked breeds may be shown at all FCI- and KUSA-licensed shows in South Africa, whether their tails are docked, or natural. Under no circumstances are judges permitted to discriminate against exhibits on the grounds of docked, or natural tails and equal consideration for awards must be given to either. (Fedco 12/2017 Amended DR/Feb 2018)