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King Pin |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Great Britain <> Germany -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the King Pin |
The King Pin is an equal mix between the Miniature Pinscher and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. It's a toy-sized breed with short, smooth fur, folded triangular ears and intelligent dark-brown eyes. It's an attractive breed that combines many of the best traits of both parent breeds. As well as having lots of energy and loving to play, the King Pin also has a soft spot for cuddles and settles in whenever its owner is ready for a break. The King Pin's small size makes it ideal for any size home, whether apartment or mansion. Just bear in mind that it can have a tendency to wander and get distracted, so time spent outdoors should absolutely be in a fenced or leashed area where it will be safely nearby at all times. |
History of the King Pin |
While the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Miniature Pinscher have plenty of information about their origin and reasoning, the King Pin, being a new hybrid breed, hasn't had much time to develop its origin story yet. So, to discover the reasoning behind its creation and the traits it may have passed on, we'll take a look at the stories of the parent race. When these two breeds are combined, we end up with a strong-willed, loyal, intelligent and affectionate little dog that's an excellent combination of cuddler and player. Because there's rat blood in the King Pin, it tends to want to chase small creatures and be very talkative. Although these are slight falls, careful training and a good amount of exercise should be enough to keep him well-mannered and non-destructive. All in all, this is an excellent breed for anyone looking for a watchdog that isn't too big and still likes to cuddle with its owner. |
A little of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel |
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The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was named after the first and second kings of England, Charles. It was always a popular dog due to its small size and laid-back personality, but after the fall of King James, the Cavalier began to disappear from the spotlight as the Pug rose in favor, thanks to King William's preference for the dog. The two breeds were eventually crossed together, and the Cavalier would probably have ceased to exist had it not been for Rosewell Elridge. He was a very wealthy American who was prepared to pay a very high price to anyone who could recreate the dog he had seen in 17th and 18th century paintings of original Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. A few British breeders accepted the challenge and set about bringing the Cavalier back. They worked with English Toy Spaniels and, over time, the results evolved into the Cavaliers we know and love today. They are now used as pets and show dogs. | ||
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Standard of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | ||
A little of the Miniature Pinscher |
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The Miniature Pinscher is a German breed that is often confused with a reduced Dobermann Pinscher. This is not true, however, as the Miniature Pinscher actually predates the Dobermann by at least 200 years. This small but determined breed was mainly used as a ratter on German farms and is said to have been created using the Dachshund, the old German Pinscher, the Manchester Terrier and the Italian Greyhound. The result of all these amazing breeds combined is a fearless, determined dog that, despite its small size, would keep its whole family on its own without a second thought. The Miniature Pinscher has always been a fan favorite and was first registered by the American Kennel Club in 1925 as a Terrier. In 1930, they were re-registered as a toy breed by the Miniature Pinscher Club of America and carried the name Toy Pinscher until 1972, when they were renamed the Miniature Pinscher. | ||
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Standard of the Miniature Pinscher |
Appearance of the King Pin |
Because the King Pin is a hybrid breed, its appearance and personality can vary considerably. This can even occur within the same litter. Despite this fact, the typical appearance of the King Pin tends to be a small but robust body that is very athletic in nature. While the body style is closer to that of the Miniature Pinscher, the face and ears are much closer to that of the Cavalier. The eyes are large and round as opposed to oval-shaped, and the ears are generally folded into large, loose triangles. The look is completed by a long, slender tail. The King Pin's coat is short and smooth, usually appearing in fawn or beige and black. |
Temperament of the King Pin |
Inspired by the Miniature Pinscher, the King Pin is a fearless dog that enjoys being both guardian and companion to its owner. This little dog has a big personality and will love to prove it to you by chasing anything that moves, destroying its toys and protecting you from anything it considers a threat. Although the King Pin is not necessarily aggressive, he will use his voice to warn you and others of anything suspicious, and he loves to bark. Perhaps the best thing about the King Pin is that for all his energy, as soon as you're ready to cuddle and love him, he'll be perfectly happy to curl up in your lap and welcome the downtime. Just bear in mind that although this breed wants to spend time with its owner, training can sometimes be a little tricky. Unlike the Cavalier, which is completely eager to please its owner, the King Pin has something of the stubborn, independent streak of the Miniature Pinscher. Early training and socialization with a steady, gentle hand will be the key to getting this little guardian to listen to you. Overall, the King Pin is a wonderful dog who, with early socialization, does very well with older children and other pets. He can be wary of strangers, but will get used to new people with time and a solid foundation of trust. This is a very affectionate and wonderful dog that will be perfect for any owner who wants a good balance between playfulness and cuddliness. |
Needs and activities of the King Pin |
Given that the Miniature Pinscher is a very active dog and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a moderately active dog, the King Pin will be relatively active. A few 90-minute sessions a day should be enough to exhaust him completely, and if not, a good workout should be enough to help him calm down. It's very important to make sure the King Pin gets exercise, as it can be destructive to his business and yours if he ends up with too much energy. Some interesting activities you can do with your dog might be a long walk, a short jog, a workout or playing fetch in the yard. Because the King Pin gets cold very easily, if it's winter outside, taking him to an indoor dog class is another great way to tire him out mentally and physically. |
Maintenance of the King Pin |
While the King Pin is a dog that tends to shed from time to time, thanks to its dwarf Pinscher side, this is very uncommon. This, and its short coat, make the King Pin a very easy-care dog. Thorough grooming is required only a few times a month, and bathing is even rarer. If your dog tends to get particularly dirty, you can brush him with a smooth brush and bathe him with a mild shampoo. Be sure to dry your King Pin's ears thoroughly at all times after bathing or swimming. Indeed, due to the folded nature of this breed's ears, any extra moisture left inside will have no chance of drying out, leading to potential infection and irritation. By carefully drying and cleaning your dog's ears, you can reduce the risk of these problems occurring. In addition to brushing and bathing, you or a groomer should trim your dog's nails to keep paws healthy and snag-free. |