The German Pinscher is classified by the UK Kennel Club as a rare breed and numbers have been very low. The very good news is, however, that there is a promising resurgence in the breed with some recent imports, and the first UK litter for 3 years were born on 22 Oct 2010 at the Inxs kennel - see news, and contacts page. At Crufts this year, we had a good entry of 21 dogs, supported with a strong presence of Pinschers from Holland.

Our website aims to give you as much information about the breed as you can glean in writing, and as each dog is different, our contacts page has individual views from experienced Pinscher owners about the characteristics of their own Pinschers.

Our showing page has dates of forthcoming shows around the UK where you can meet Pinschers and find out whether you might be compatible with each other.

Discover Dogs is held twice a year - at Earls Court and also on at Crufts, which is a good opportunity for you to talk to their owners and meet the dogs to find out for yourself what these great little dogs are like to live with. Click here for more info about Discover Dogs . Alternatively you could get in touch with one of our club members and find out when they are showing at a show near you.

"Pinscher" is German for "Terrier", although the German terriers were much larger than British terriers and were certainly too long in the leg to go to ground. However, they are excellent guards and were used as such in farms. The GP was originally a stable dog living with and around horses, and has developed an affinity with this animal. His vermin killing abilities are legendary and even today he is the staunch enemy of many creatures such as rabbits, rats and moles. The Pinscher may not the best breed to keep if one also owns small animals such as Guinea Pigs, mice or rats and the like!

The German Pinscher was first Registered by the German Kennel Club in 1900. The word Pinscher is often mis-spelt as Pincher, Pincer, Pinser or Pinsher.

German Pinschers are a lot of fun to live with. They are entertaining with their antics and are regular clowns. Life will never be dull with a German Pinscher. They are long lived, generally enjoy good health, and will keep their puppy playfulness well into their older years. They love to travel and enjoy adventure in any form.

PLEASE GET IN TOUCH

It is estimated only around 40 Pinschers in the country although numbers are on the increase with a recent litter at the Inxs kennel and a planned litter at Aritaur.

If you are an owner of a German Pinscher, whether UK bred or imported, old or young, we would welcome hearing from you with information on your dog, any health details you could share, or just simply to get in touch and let us know you are out there! We would love to see any old photos or records of breed interest you may have tucked away in the cupboard. Please mail us.

"People are often confused about the Pinscher's ability to actually smile. They will complain that the dog is baring his teeth menacingly at them. They fail to notice that this so-called snarling' is usually accompanied by vigorous tail wagging. The Pinscher tends to use his smile when you have chided him and he actually grins, broadly at you to get back on your good side"

From US KC books German Pinscher by Sharon Morgan with Dee Gannon

German Pinschers are confident, protective, have a loud bark and are an ideal medium size to fit into most homes. The breed can demand a lot of patience to train and alpha tendencies mean that this a dog requires structure from an early age. This breed can be very faithful, a characteristic it shares with its popular cousin the Dobermann.

Pinschers excel at obedience, agility and tracking. Many working breeds, like the German Pinscher, are thinking dogs - often independent and challenging to manage. These dogs require firm, fair control and must be properly trained. Formal obedience training must include a proper socializing program. Working breeds are generally quick and keen to learn with the right training, and are highly intelligent.

Pinschers are active, sometimes demanding and make great companion dogs if they are trained firmly and consistently. They are late to lose their playfulness and make excellent watchdogs. They are inquisitive, are excellent family dogs and are certainly not kennel or outside dogs; their need for company is too great.

"Pinschers are quick and agile. They delight in a good run with their owner. That same quickness can result in a loose dog that no-one can catch. They do not have handles. The musculature and smooth coat do not provide any places on the dog's anatomy that the human pursuer can grab onto and retrieve the dog without a collar and leash. No-one can outrun a German Pinscher. This alone lends credence to the breeder's directive that obedience training the German Pinscher is a must."

Early socialization and introduction to cats and other family pets is vital if Pinschers are to be reliable as they grow up. They have plenty of energy so you must provide plenty of activity, or like any smart dog they may quite understandably become destructive, irritable and miserable.

The breed has very strong guarding qualities so warning-off strangers is an integral part of his nature and this must be controlled from an early age.

DO NOT get a Pinscher if you are faint hearted, a low energy person, if it is your first dog, if you don't have time to train or give company to it, and if you don't want an energetic guard dog!

DO get a Pinscher if you have plenty of energy, have some knowledge of training, like a bit of a challenge, have time to spend and play with it, and if you have a sense of humour to share with a dog! You will never spend a day without laughter with a Pinscher.