Development of the Miniature Pinscher took off in 1895 when German breeders formed the Pinscher Klub, later renamed the Pinscher-Schnauzer Klub, the same year the first breed standard was written. In its country of origin, Germany, the breed was known as Zwergpinscher, “zwerg meaning “dwarf” or “midget,” and  “pinscher” meaning to pinch, squeeze, nip or steal, but while Min Pins were first shown at the Stuttgart Dog Show in 1900, the breed was little known outside of Germany and Scandinavia.

The first Miniature Pinschers were imported into the United States around 1919, and initially, only a few were shown at American Kennel Club dog shows. At the time, they were exhibited as terriers, and when the first Min Pin was registered with the AKC in 1925, it was as a terrier, probably because of its prowess as a ratter.

In 1929, the Miniature Pinscher Club of America, Inc., was formed, but the breed was still considered to be a terrier. It wasn’t until 1930 that this changed and the Min Pin was reclassified as a Toy breed, and called either the “Pinscher (Toy)” or “Pinscher (Miniature).” Because of lobbying by the Miniature Pinscher Club of America, the breed was renamed “Miniature Pinscher” in 1972. The only thing that may have changed more frequently than the breed’s name was the breed standard.  The first accepted standard in 1929 came directly from Germany, and since then, the standard was revised in 1935, 1950, 1958, 1980, and formatted in 1990.

Fans of the breed might enjoy reading about how the Min Pin inspired the official U.S. Marine Corps War Dog here.

Image: Miniature Pinscher by Krystle Cole/KrystleColeFineArt is available for purchase as a print here