[snowhawk]

I am interested in getting a Miniature Pinscher but I have read they shouldnt be let off their leads. For me that would be a massive shame as it's great seeing them run about.

Would be great to no. I don't want to get one if it isn't the right idea

[Lunareclipse]

If you let your minipin off the lead, chances are it probably won't come back. It would be ok for them in a fenced in enclosure. I don't know why you would want your mini pin off lead in public??? NEVER allow any dog off lead in public. If your mini pin got attacked, you can at least pull your dog away by his lead.

[snowhawk]

Should never let a dog off the lead? Even in a park?!? If you mean that then there's a hell of a lot of people doing it wrong. My wife has a chihuahua and we let him off for a good run. He comes back to me when I call him...I'm surprised if you haven't seen other owners with dogs off their lead?!?

[Lunareclipse]

Leash laws even cover a park. If someone else has their dog off leash, they are breaking the law. It isn't about what everyone else is doing, anyway. It's about what is best and safest for your dog. If you want to do something like that because you think it's cute, don't bother getting a dog. If you want to let a dog off leash, take it to a dog park. It is a fenced in area make specifically for dogs. You don't have to have a leash on your dog at a dog park. At a regular park, you better have one on your dog. I like to take my dogs to the dog park and the park. I always have a leash on them at the park. Especially the saint bernard. It is the law!!! I hate it when people with small dogs show up and let their tiny little off-leash dogs run right up to my dog. If I wanted that, I would go to the dog park. I certainly hope that you aren't one of those people that think since it's a small dog, it's not hurting anything. A dog is a dog and a law is a law. I have my dogs on a leash in case stupid people want to let their tiny little yappers run all over without a leash. Then I can pull my dog away if I think the situation is unsafe. A person with a little dog should take extra care to make sure their dog is safe. That includes following the law and having your dog on a leash. At least you could pull your dog away if a big dog like mine decided to attack it.

[snowhawk]

Im guessing your american!? Im from the UK and its totally different as there are no leash laws. The only thing I agree with you is the taking dogs off the lead if they are in danger....we never take our dog off the lead if there are some angry looking dogs about. I do believe its good for dogs to 'meet' other dogs up close as this is socialising them. We only let him run loose in the open park grassed bit, anywhere else and we have him on the lead. Its great to see our little guy having a good run...for one he really loves it and secondly it knackers him out! which makes for a quieter evening (hes an 8 month energetic pup).

[Lunareclipse]

It doesn't matter where you are from. Just because a dog looks mean, doesn't mean it is. And just because a dog looks nice, doesn't mean it is. The safest thing you can do for your dog is to keep it on a leash in public. If you want to let your dog off leash, take it to a dog park. There are dog parks in England. All it takes is one time meeting another dog that thinks your dog is lunch. Better safe than sorry.

[lange]

Originally Posted by snowhawk

I am interested in getting a Miniature Pinscher but I have read they shouldnt be let off their leads. For me that would be a massive shame as it's great seeing them run about.

I admit I can have a pretty awesome memory on some things...with that said, I KNOW Cig once said the same exact thing before on seeing her dogs run! It must be a cultural thing. I mean I would also love to see my dogs run like the wind for miles on end without repercussions like their wolf ancestors, but that is just not reality for us. One of my dogs would probably be hit by a car and the other would probably get into a fight over some food or toy. :roll:

As for the rest I'm pretty much with Luna on the public, unleashed dogs. I don't condone animals running free & at large in public areas but again that's just me and knowing that all dogs, big or small, equally behave as dogs yet are not judged equal by man, puts an unfair advantage on little dogs.

I also don't feel people who are out in public should be affected by the trial & error of a dog and/or owner's competence. Again, my opinion and why I like leash laws.

Back on subject, I get to see my dogs run in my yard and it works for us. It's Probably why I would never own a dog who cares more about freedom then home & family; I wouldn't be able to fulfill their needs.

So for your original question, snowhawk...mini pin's aren't known to be reliable off lead. If having a dog respond to you like that is your goal, it's probably not the right breed for you.

[reeskujo]

I agree with Lange and Luna..I don't think any dog should be off lead unless they're in their own yard or a fenced area at a dog park and even that's debatable..I would never allow my Akita's off lead in a fenced dog park because if their approached by a dog with aggressive tendencies it's a safe bet that dog isn't going home but to the vet instead..Knowing that I have a responsibility to keep control of my dogs..

That being said,I don't think any dog that is of a breed that has been bred to hunt and has a high prey drive should ever be off leash except in their own yard and Min Pins fall into that category..To do so is not only being irresponsible but not taking the dogs welfare into consideration either..This is why it's so important for people to research a dogs breed before getting one..People have a tendency to get a dog because they like the way they look or they like a few particular things about the dogs personality instead of researching the breed to find out everything they can..

When I was breeding my Akita pups never went to first time dog owners or people who had not thoroughly researched the breed and part of my contracts required them to take the puppy to training classes..

People need to also remember that while their dogs mabe well trained and sociaized that doesn't mean everyone elses are..Seigi is great wth other dogs but knowing that someone elses dog may not have the same manners and may behave towards him in a way he won't tolerate he is never allowed off leash even at a dog park..At 130 lbs he could easily kill a smaller dog that came at him in an aggressive manner and if I don't have him on a leash there's a slim chance to none I would be able to physically pull him off another dog..I agree that it's critical all dogs are socialized with other dogs however having them off leash is not required to do so.

[Lunareclipse]

My older saint bernard killed a smaller dog that wandered onto her old owner's property and was barking at one of the children that lived there. That's why we have her. The court said to rehome her out of the county or have her put to sleep. The people were walking their toy poodle without a leash and it wandered into the yard. Would you like to see a big dog like mine take a chomp out of a little dog like the one you want? Since the saint bernard has lived here, we've not had any other incidents with her. There are two jack russels that live across the street and those little you-know-whats bark constantly. She tried to go after them once and I let her know that that kind of behavior isn't tolerated in my house. She hasn't done it since. The old owner was too lenient on her. All it takes is one owner who doesn't know how to control their dog and your dog is a goner.

[Aescleah]

i am cant say i have never let my dogs off lead but i will never let my pinhead of lead EVER AGAIN if you get a min pin do not let it off lead he will run away i have quite a few types of dogs but min pins are just flat gone when they get a chance honestly its the only breed i have ever owned thats like that its a miracle my argo is alive trust what others have said cause its true never ever trust a min pin off lead !!!!!!!!

Ashley

[piratekitty]

I have a 3 yr old min pin. He is off leash trained. Almost 2yrs of weekly training classes. Still trainning, its on going with a min pin. The areas I off leash him in is my yard, familys farm, trainning class. When Im out in public leash on, maybe drop leash only when I have control , and area not populated with dogs or people. When my dog is off leash I have full attention on him at all times no mater what or where Im at and hes only inches from me. But my pin responds to my comands and is very well behaved. The problem is you dont always know what that dog that you may meet is going to do. Leash on or off I dont always let my dog meet others. Most people with small dog dont train their dogs, I believe all dogs should have good manners and trainning before they are taken out to greet public. And as far as little dogs and big dogs you do need to take caution, because of prey drive. My pin was in the mouth of another dog.