The name Pinscher actually originates from the characteristics of the breed. They grab prey (rats and mice or other small animals) with their paws during playing or catching.

The word ‘Pintch’ actually means to grab or ‘snatch’.

One of the first drawings which proves existence of the German Pinscher in western Europe is a copper etching by Lucas Cranach 1472 “Die Dornefronoung” (The crowning of thorns) which shows 2 Pinschers.

 It actually is to be expected that the Pinscher existed much earlier than this.

In 1836 the Pinscher is mentioned for the first time in records by Dr.Reichenbach (“ Der hund in seining Haupt – and Nebenarten “). In 1830 the smooth haired Pinscher is found in the first edition of a book covering the characteristics of the German breeds. Richard Strebal in 1905 brought  out the first explicit standards in his book the German Breeds (“Deutcher Hune”). During the thirties breeding took a slight upswing but at the end of 1939 it had practically disappeared.

The last entries in the book occurred in 1949.

A new beginning for the Pinscher was founded by Werner Jung in 1957/58. The German Pinscher was never a dog which was produced in large numbers. The fancy of the noble breed was and proberly will always be somewhat restricted.

Von Elke Grobekathofer

(Translated by E. Pohl

and compiled by H.Towell)

As the Dobermann is the bigger cousin, so the Miniature Pinscher is the smaller cousin to the German Pinscher. Both originate through the use of the German Pinscher as part of their breeds formation. Another little known fact is the German Pinscher is also related to the Affenpinscher and was called the Rattler in many parts of Europe prior to the breed’s reconstruction and the formation of the Pinscher/Snauzcher Klub.

The smooth coated Pinscher is closely related to the Standard Schnauzer, being the smooth coated variety of the same breed of dog and the Standard Schnauzer the wire haired or rough coated varieties as the litters are stated to contained both varieties proven by the stud book registrations of the time.

Although this has changed somewhat today, there existed a great similarity in anatomy with the Schnauzer, and the only significant difference was the short hair and colour.  

The breed was known for its hunting and guarding abilities.

The ’CLUB OF PUREBREEDS IN GERMANY' first printed a Breed Standard for the German Pinscher in 1880.  After 15 Years the Pinscher Club was formed. In the first studbook only 8 smooth haired Pinschers registered: 4 bitches of wire haired parents, and 2 dogs, of which 2 had wire haired parents.

In the second stud book there is a black bitch with the well known rusty/red brown markings.

Most Kennels were located in Southern Germany in the 1920's and 30's. Mainly, in Wuttemberg, others were located in Western and Central Germany.

The Breed Standard was rewritten in 1923 and gave a greater understanding of the breed at that time. The Standard described the Pinscher as flashy, but strong and sinewy-muscular. Height 43-48 measured at the shoulder.

The allowable colours were: Shiny black, with markings from rusty red to yellow; Dark Brown with yellow markings and unicoloured in different shades. Pale yellow (or Isabel) and white markings was not permitted. An allowance was made for the salt and pepper colour due to the ancestry of the Schnauzer.  The Pinscher Breeders of those years put a lot of work into the breeding and managed to produce some very top dogs, but they still could not be compared with the success of other breed clubs.

The otherwise very respected breeder Strebel persevered in breeding his idea, a salt and pepper coloured 'Silver Pinscher'. Dr. Da-ubner from Kaiserslautern put a lot of energy and patience into this dream of a "Silver Pinscher" but with very little success. Werner Jung in 1957/58 continued with the black and red Pinschers with good success.

 Very little progress was made with the breed until 1941 when the breeder Retter, from Bartenbach, finally made a breakthrough with some top quality dogs that judges of the time raved about.

16 German Pinschers were entered at the National Champion Exhibition in Stuttgart. Top wins and others, went to the black and red dog 'Arko von Barbarossa 654", the black and red bitch "Dorle von Barbarossa 671 ' and to the red dog "Arno von Barbarossa 656@'. The last two received their SchH 1.

This was unfortunately 1941, and the war and post-war period brought the breeding of Pinschers to a total standstill. Not one litter was registered during the period 1950-1957. The Breed Warden at the time, Werner Jung, raised the appeal for the breeders to rekindle interest in the breed but it fell on deaf ears. There was almost nothing left to breed with.  And it seemed that this was the end of the Pinscher. But Werner Jung could not accept the fact that a whole breed had ceased to exist. He therefore decided to take it on himself to try and re-establish the breed.