German Pinscher

Characteristics

Health & Longevity

Average Life Span: 12-14 years
The German Pinscher is considered to be a healthy breed, but this does not mean that your pup is free from all diseases and conditions. It is important that you work with a responsible breeder who screens their pups to ensure diseases are not passed down to the pups. You need to keep your eye out for some of these conditions, including Von Willebrand’s Disease, cataracts, heart disease, hip dysplasia, and immune problems.

Von Willebrand’s Disease is an inherited blood disorder that occurs when there is a lack of protein in your pup’s platelets. This lack of protein can cause the platelets to not be able to clot well.

Cataracts are often passed down to your pup from the parents and do not typically appear until later on in life. It is possible that your pup is born with them or may have them develop due to trauma. Cataracts often lead to blindness.

Heart disease is another concern in your German Pinscher. It is important to have your pup monitored and screened regularly by your veterinarian to catch any heart disease early on.

Hip dysplasia is a condition that can be crippling for your German Pinscher. This condition affects the back limbs of your dog and may lead to lameness in the limbs.

Lastly, your German Pinscher may have immune problems which can develop due to a disease, or simply from sickness or an allergy. It is important to work closely with your vet to ensure that these conditions are caught and treated early on.

The German Pinscher has a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years.

Temperament & Train-ability

The German Pinscher is a special breed that will provide you with the love and attention you expect from a pup. This breed is loyal to those that he or she loves and will faithfully be by your side.

The German Pinscher is also known for being protective over the ones that he or she loves and you can expect your pup to bark loudly when danger is perceived.

It is important to note that this is not a good breed for children. This breed has a tendency to bite and has a low tolerance for irritation or rough play. When it comes down to it, this breed will often react before thinking about the reaction, which may result in an accidental injury.

While this breed does not tolerate children well, he or she will often get along with other pups within the house. You will find that this breed is able to adapt quickly and easily to his or her surroundings as well.

You may find that training this breed is a bit more difficult simply because this breed is aloof and does not have a lot of focus on one thing. This breed is independent and will perform at his or her own leisure. You should remain consistent when you train and not take a back seat or allow your pup to become alpha. You should work hard to train with positive methods.

When it comes to exercise, this breed needs it regularly. Your pup should be walked at least twice per day. Your German Pinscher will do best in a home with a fenced in yard. You do need to make sure the fence is secure, otherwise you may have a pup that escapes and wanders the neighborhood.

Grooming

The German Pinscher is considered to be one of the easier breeds to manage as they do not require much grooming at all. When it comes to your pup’s coat, you only have to brush them once or twice per week to remove any loose hairs. Since their coat is smooth and they have short hair, tangles and mats are not as much of a concern.

Your pup does not need to be bathed on a regular basis and only needs to receive a bath when he or she becomes very dirty or has a bad smell. You will find that very fragrant shampoos may affect your pup’s skin, so choose one that is mild.

You need to clean your German Pinscher’s ears once per week to ensure that an ear infection is not in the works. You should remove all debris and ear wax buildup with a cotton ball and cleansing solution.

Lastly, you should trim your pup’s nails once per month or as often as needed to make sure that they do not become too long or overgrown.

Diet

Your German Pinscher will consume anywhere between 1.5 cups to 2 cups of dry kibble per day. You should ideally split this up into two meals served once in the morning and once at night.

When you choose a kibble for your pup, make sure you choose one that is of premium quality. This means that the food should be made with natural ingredients and not with chemicals or by-products.

Some German Pinscher owners like to feed their pups a raw food diet. This type of diet can offer your pup a better chance to receive all of the nutrients he or she needs. A raw diet will consist of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, rice, and similar.
 

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Cost

A German Pinscher puppy will cost you approximately $1,300 to $1,500, but the price may vary depending on the breeder you choose and the sex of the puppy.

In addition to the cost of the puppy, you also need to consider the cost of future care. Some expenses include vet checkups, vaccines, food and supplies, and preventative medicine.

Paws ‘N’ Pups Ranking

Paws ‘N’ Pups ranks every breed out of 4 with 1 being easiest to integrate into your life and 4 being the toughest – The lower the ranking the better.

Ranking takes into account a few basic factors including cost, skill level needed, high vs low maintenance and how critical regular training is to success. The German Pinscher is a loyal pup who will listen to and respond well to those in his or her family. It is important that you understand that this is not the best breed for children, and should not be in a home with any young children. This pup does have a tendency to nip and bite without thinking first. The German Pinscher is considered a little difficult to train and you must remain consistent and patient. This breed ranks a 4.

 

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