German Pinscher

FCI standard Nº 184

Origin
Germany
Translation
Mrs C. Seidler
Group
Group 2 Pinscher and Schnauzer- Molossian breeds - Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs
Section
Section 1 Pinscher and Schnauzer type
Working
Without working trial
Acceptance on a definitive basis by the FCI
Thursday 14 July 1955
Publication of the official valid standard
Tuesday 06 March 2007
Last update
Wednesday 18 April 2007
En français, cette race se dit
Pinscher allemand
Diese Norm ist in deutscher Sprache sichtbar
Deutscher Pinscher
En español, esta raza se dice
Pinscher Alemán
In het Nederlands, wordt dit ras gezegd
Duitse Pinscher

Usage

Watch and Companion Dog.

Brief historical summary

The smooth haired Pinscher represents a very old breed which was mentioned in the German Stud Book for dogs in 1880 already. He has the same ancestors as the Schnauzer which was also called the rough coated Pinscher. From the beginning the smooth haired Pinschers differed from the rough haired specimen in their colour and their short coat. They were mostly black with light brown markings, self coloured in various shades of brown to red, pepper and salt or simply blue-grey to black.

General appearance

The German Pinscher is smoothhaired, medium in size with proud carriage, flowing outlines, elegant and square build. He is strong like the Schnauzer. Due to his short smooth coat, his well developed muscles are clearly visible especially when he moves.

Important proportions

· In relation of length to height, his build should be as square as possible. · The length of the head (measured from the tip of the nose to the occiput) corresponds to half the length of the topline (measured from the withers to the set on of the tail).

Behaviour / temperament

His lively, spirited, self assured and evenly tempered nature combined with intelligence and endurance makes him an agreeable family, watch and companion dog.

Head

Cranial region

Skull
Strong, elongated, without markedly protruding occiput. The forehead is flat and runs parallel to the bridge of nose. 
Stop
Slight, yet clearly defined.

Facial region

Nose
Nose leather well developed and always black.
Muzzle
Ending in a blunt wedge. Bridge of nose straight.
Lips
Black, smooth and tight-fitting to the jaws; corners of mouth closed.
Jaws and teeth
Strong upper and lower jaw. The complete scissor bite (42 pure white teeth according to the dentition formula) is strong and firmly closing. The chewing muscles are strongly developed without pronounced cheeks interfering with the smooth outline.
Eyes
Dark, oval, with black pigmented, close fitting eyelids.
Ears
Drop ears, set high, V-shaped,with inner edges lying close to the cheeks, turned forward towards temples. Folds parallel, should not be above the top of the skull.

Neck

Nobly curved, not too short. Blending smoothly into the withers without any marked set on. Dry,without dewlap or throatiness. Throat skin tight-fitting without folds.

Body

Topline
Slightly sloping from withers towards rear.
Withers
Forming the highest point in topline.
Back
Strong, short and taut.
Loin
Short, strong and deep. The distance from last rib to hip is short to make the dog appear compact.
Croup
Slightly rounded, imperceptibly blending into tail set on.
Chest
Moderately broad, oval in diameter, reaching to the elbows. The forechest is distinctly marked by the point of the sternum.
Underline and belly
Flanks not too tucked up, forming a nicely curved line with the underside of the ribcage.

Tail

Natural; a sabre or sickle carriage is sought after.

Limbs

Forequarters

Generality
Seen from the front the front legs are strong, straight and not close together; seen from the side, the forearms are straight.
Shoulders
The shoulder blade lies close against the rib cage and is well muscled on both sides of the shoulder bone, protruding over the points of the thoracic vertebrae. As sloping as possible and well laid back. forming an angle of appr. 50° to the horizontal.
Upper arm
Lying close to the body, strong and well muscled, forming an angle of 95° to 100° to the shoulder blade.
Elbows
Correctly fitting, turning neither in nor out.
Forearm
Strongly developed and well muscled. Completely straight seen from the front and the side.
Carpal
Strong and firm.
Pastern
Strong and slightly springy. Seen from the front, vertical, seen from the side, slightly sloping towards the ground.
Forefeet
Short and round, toes well-knit and arched (cat feet), pads resistant, nails short, black and strong.

Hindquarters

Generality
Standing obliquely when seen from the side, standing parallel, but not close together,when seen from the rear.
Upper thigh
Moderately long, broad, strongly muscled.
Lower thigh
Long and strong, sinewy, running into a strong hock.
Stifle
Turning neither in nor out.
Metatarsus
Vertical to the ground.
Hock
Markedly angulated, strong, firm, turning neither in nor out.
Hind feet
Somewhat longer than the forefeet. Toes well-knit and arched. Nails short and black.

Gait and movement

:The German Pinscher is a trotter. His back remains firm and rather steady in movement. The movement is harmonious, sure, powerful and uninhibited with good length of stride. Typical of the trot is a ground covering, relaxed, fluent movement with strong drive and free front extension.

Skin

Tight fitting over the whole body.

Coat

Hair
Short and dense, smooth, close and shiny without bald patches.
Colour
· Self coloured : Deer red, reddish-brown to dark red brown.
· Black and Tan : Lacquer black with red or brown markings.
The aim is for markings as dark, as rich and as clearly defined as possible. The markings are distributed as follows: above the eyes, at the underside of the throat, on the pastern, on the feet, at the inside of the hind legs and under the root of the tail. Two even, clearly separated triangles on the chest.

Size and weight

Height at withers
Dogs and bitches: 45 to 50 cm.
Weight
Dogs and bitches: 14 to 20 kg.

Faults

• Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and its ability to perform its traditional work.
• Faults listed should be in degree of seriousness.

General faults

 Clumsy or light in build.
 Too low or too high on leg.
 Heavy or round skull.
 Wrinkles on forehead.
 Short, pointed or narrow muzzle.
 Pincer bite.
 Light, too small or too large eyes.
 Ears set low or very long, unevenly carried.
 Strongly protruding cheekbones (cheekiness).
 Throatiness.
 Too long, tucked up or soft back.
 Roach back.
 Croup falling away.
 Long feet.
 Pacing movement.
 Hackney gait.
 Thin coat.
 Black trace on the back, dark saddle and lightened or pale coat.
 Over- or undersize up to 1 cm.

Serious faults

 Lack of sexual type (ie doggy bitch).
 Light appearance.
 Apple head.
 Lines of head not parallel.
 Elbows turning out.
 Straight or open hocked hindlegs.
 Hocks turning out.
 Over- or undersize by more than 1 cm but less than 3 cm.

Disqualifying faults

 Aggressive or overly shy dogs.
 Malformation of any kind.
 Definitely inverse sexual type.
 Faults in mouth, such as over- or undershot or wry mouth.
 Severe faults in individual parts, such as faults in structure, coat or colour.
 Over- or undersize by more than 3 cm.

NB :

• Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
• The above mentioned faults when occurring to a highly marked degree or frequently are disqualifying.
• Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
• Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding.

Bibliography

https://www.fci.be/

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