The Miniature Pinscher's History is a most colorful and winding sometimes dusty yet glorious trail, covering some 200+ years. The breed originated in Europe particularly German and Scandinavian countries. The first breed registry/stud book was in Germany but the breed was bred as well recorded in other countries long before that time. They came in various colors, patterns, and size. One of our foundation colors still seen in some current Miniature Pinschers by display of multiple white hairs, brindling, or white body splash with or with out ticking, is the Harlequin. The Harlequin Miniature Pinscher can come in any color the breed is capable of producing with white splash, in either large amounts or small spotting/splash, most often face, chest and or feet, but could cover the entire body with and without ticking. Some Harlequin lines carried the brindle gene while many were kept clear and did not carry the brindle gene, as well lines with ticking was often kept clear from lines which did not carry ticking as seen still today in some hunting breed practice. There was a salt and pepper harlequin as well, though not seen as often as the other patterns. The cream gene was also present early on in the breed as today producing off white, or lemon to cream dogs with dark nose leather. As time went on less note was made of these colors so they became mixed through out the gene pools of today, many lumped as one color often, red, from lightest to darkest, with or without stag/sable. Chocolate/rust, chocolate/tan as we see today in the breed are well noted early on, the lines/genes of chocolate and harlequin also ran together it was later found, along with black/rust, black/tan, blue/tan, or blue/rust, then reds being noted just slightly a bit later in breed history. Off white, and white with spots is noted as well in our earliest breed standard. Early history shows chocolates and blues of clear color were said to be of favor in that day, (1900-1914) as well noted as being most desired, and "Elegant" at show. The Harlequin, chocolates, and blues of the day too were said to be just a bit taller then our black/rust, black/tan, and later day reds. This could be related to a closer relation to our black/tan, black/rust, red Dachshund relatives, then in the other breed colors. However after 200+ years, the foundation breed's lines are distributed well in the blood veins of all Miniature Pinschers. It should be mentioned here in talking to the best known pie Dachshund show breeders of today, the pie/tux gene, (pie is when the body is mostly white, with some solid spotting, tux is when points are white, i.e. face spots/splashes, chest spot/splash, and or white paw(s), from min. to max. markings that are allowed in their breed), came into play in their breed at the same time the Miniature Pinscher was coming to be. Could it be possible in those early days of breed changes some of the colorful crosses which were not breed desired for Miniature Pinscher development, i.e., to low and long, so were used to help create the pie/tux gene in Dachshunds? It's a thought. The Miniature Pinscher is a fine genetic pool, banking some of the very finest small sight as well scent hunting breeds of that day. Considered breed founders are the Dachshund, Italian Greyhound, Pug, possibly for our sometimes up right ear set, the extinct Abyssinian Sand Terrier, (a hairless breed which would account why some lines of color carry CDA, and some do not, this is now under study), or the now extinct White English Terrier, and some have even claimed Manchester. We look forward to the day a genetic test can be performed identifying all breed's true foundation lines, thus aiding the canine world's constant endeavor in our heath research/improvement of each breed, as we better our breeds with science. The Sand Terrier and White English Terrier are now thought to be extinct for being used or bred into other breeds, creating the wonderful variety of breeds we see today carrying their grand traits on as our own Miniature Pinscher.

The early breed purpose was for a small quick agile working hunting breed, good of nose, sharp of eye, easy to care for, an independent worker, yet loyal to farm/owner and hardy. In those times everything had a job, a purpose. Clearing home and farm or castle of small vermin who could destroy crops, harvest and health was part of the Miniature Pinscher's many duties. Short of coat, so easy to clean, also able to climb under covers, or carriage lap blanket for added body warmth on cold nights without getting to hot with too much coat. Keeping beds/chambers clear of any small un-wanted pesky rodent visitors hidden between or running across covers or dark floors of unknowing sleepers or a tiny hero protector for night time potty chamber visits. Remember the breed was developed at a time of no elec. lights, no window screens, no air conditioning thus windows needed to be open to cool the rooms and very little glass to protect homes from un-invited vermin, or insects. A small breed well capable of helping in hunting small game for meat on the table, yet small enough to not require that much to eat in order to maintain it's own health, all of which this breed excels at when bred well. There was a time it was said the Miniature Pinscher was more popular then the Pug, which is quit a breed feat for any breed in that time or any other. Being the Pug was the most popular of all time when Miniature Pinschers were considered in those early day's to become yet even more popular. The numbers had to be very great across the globe. So it is not a far fetched theory to believe the Miniature Pinscher is a possible foundation to many of the later created breeds today we see which favor it in many of their own breed traits, characteristics and colors.

Our foundation colors and patterns are not extinct today nor are they rare as some so called breeders trying to make big money off of something which is not would like to have you believe. Please keep in mind the thing which is rare in all breeds is the responsible breeders trying to always better their breed. The colors of blue, or fawn or even our Harlequin pattern is not extinct in the Miniature Pinscher breed, it is well and sometimes to alive. Some ancient genes still pop up when least expected, some planned and sometimes not. Little history reminders of our past of who we are, where we came from, where we are, what is possible, and sometimes what should not be. When you come across "rare" or "extinct" in the same line with Miniature Pinscher colors or patterns please become educated on what is the truth. Don't be taken in by those words such as "rare" or "extinct" colors, or patterns in any Miniature Pinscher bred. For the color genetics of the breed are quit endless. There are some un-educated or unethical breeders who would have you pay more for what is not rare or extinct at all, because you have not done your breed home-work. Please don't fall for their often well advertised web scams, some even advertise spay/neuter, and rescue, yet continue to make big $ off the unknowing public for their "Rare", or said to be "Extinct" colors of Miniature Pinschers. Do your home work and look for those "rare" true responsible ethical breeders who are dedicated to only the betterment of their given breeds. Check breed rescue groups first they often have dogs with odd markings for you to love and give a home, or only go to ethical show breeders. Then you will have a true friend with years of breed dedication, ethics, as well knowledge with your pet. You'll have new family members for life, your new dog, as well it's breeder, or rescuer. Not someone who is gone forever as soon as they have your hard earned money in hand, along with their lack of care, ethics, education, or misinformation of the Miniature Pinscher or any other breed.

Remember,

The "Rare" and "Extinct" in Miniature Pinschers, or any breed is,

The "Rare" often near "Extinct" ethical breeders which prove, and protect their breed.

Look Only for those who do!