German pinscher is a breed of working dog developed in Germany to hunt rodents and protect property. It has a sleek, muscular body with short, dense hair; a moderately long neck; and a wedge-shaped head. The breed should stand 17 to 20 inches (43 to 51 centimeters) high at the shoulder and weigh 25 to 45 pounds (11 to 20 kilograms).
Many German pinschers range in color from fawn to various shades of red. Others have mainly black or dark blue coloring with reddish-tan markings. These markings may occur above the eyes and on the cheeks, lower jaw, throat, chest, forelegs, feet, inner hind legs, and rear.
The origins of the German pinscher go back to the 1400’s or earlier. In 1884, the breed first appeared in German dog books as the smooth-haired pinscher. Never bred in large numbers, the German pinscher nearly died out during World War II (1939-1945). But breeders saved it from extinction and soon exported it throughout much of the world. The dogs have intelligent, energetic personalities, but they can also become aggressive and stubborn. Owners still use them to guard property. With careful training, however, German pinschers can make excellent family companions.
