From the AKCs breed standard: Head and Skull – Seen from above and side resembles a blunt wedge;

From the FCI standard: Facial Region  – Muzzle: Ending in a blunt wedge;

From the United Kennel Club’s breed standard: Head and Skull – Seen from above and side resembles a blunt wedge;

From the Canadian Kennel Club breed standard: The deep muzzle ends in a blunt wedge;

From Dogs Australia standard: Head: Seen from above and side resembles a blunt wedge.

Did we mention that the heretofore unmentioned breed calls for a blunt wedge?

Meet the German Pinscher’s head.  Described as a blunt wedge both from the front and in profile with the muzzle and skull being parallel and equal in length to the top skull, this head isn’t just for looks, but is rooted in the breed’s historical purpose and working prowess.

The oldest of the pinscher breeds, the German Pinscher was used as a stable dog to exterminate vermin in the 19th century, and the head’s structure made the breed highly effective at the job. This isn’t to say that other aspects of the breed aren’t equally important, but in this post, we concentrate on the “noggin.”

A strong, but not heavy, head allows the GP to maintain agility and speed without sacrificing power; This “just right” head provides balance that is critical for a dog that needs to react quickly, dart about efficiently, and have the agility to navigate around farm implements, barn environments, and the nooks and crannies of a home. The blunt wedge shaped head with a strong elongated muzzle gives the dog a powerful jaw that provides a larger surface area and stronger bite force – far more effective for snatching and dispatching a rat, mouse, or other unwelcome intruders. Anything more than a narrow or pointed jaw wouldn’t give the dog the same gripping power when trying to hang on to a small critter that is wriggling, and probably biting.  The parallel planes of the Pinscher’s muzzle and skull provide power to a scissor bite, while strong, flat cheeks further enable the do to “grab and snatch.”

The German Pinscher’s head is not just a hallmark of the breed type, but a key to its historical role as an agile, effective vermin hunter.

Image photo by form PxHere