There is a new king of the toy breeds. It is the miniature Doberman, or mini pin as most like to call it. The mini pin is not actually a descendant from the Doberman, even though it may seem that way at first glance. It actually is a dog that originated in Germany and was called the Zwergpinscher. They were breed to hunt vermin, mainly rats. They may be within the toy group because of their size, but they act more like the terrier side of their breed.

The miniature Doberman or miniature pincher appeared in several paintings and sculptures from many centuries ago. It was not introduced into the AKC until 1918, which is when they entered their first dog show ring. The miniature Doberman generally stands between 10 and 12.5 inches at the shoulders. Its small size is why it is considered in the toy breed. They also typically weigh between 10 and 12.5 pounds. They have the really short and smooth hair. The most typical colors are the black or chocolate with the tan masking. They also can be just the stag red color. There is also a rare fawn and blue coat color that can register in the AKC, but could never compete in the dog shows.

There are a few things that have to be done to the miniature Doberman as a puppy to be a true looking and functioning mini pin. It has to have its ears cropped and its tail docked. It is not required by the AKC to have such things done, but to be of show quality it must be done. The AKC also says that the breed must have a high stepping, straight forward movement. The head and the tail must be carried high at the same time.

The miniature Doberman is a very high strung and energetic breed. They require a great deal of daily exercise. These dogs are tough competitors and enjoy the thrill of the dog agility shows and the training. It is very important to monitor their eating habits for they are very prone to over eating. You must be very careful with the instinctual side of the miniature Doberman. Their need to hunt small vermin may have them attacking small things and this could become a choking hazard.

The mini pin is mainly an indoor breed. They only have one coat which does not keep them safe from environmental elements. They are great as a family dog because they are very easy to take care of. They require very little grooming and they just need exercise. Children can give them that! They are also just so darn cute!