Originally Posted by cgmccary

On one occasion, I had flipped & was stranded on a jet ski once a couple of miles down a large river. I'd left my Minpin back at my friend's dock/pier. He was also one of the smartest dogs I have ever owned. (I counted one time and realized he knew more than 100 words.) That day at the river, my Minpin must have been listening to my jet ski from afar and when it stranded on me & quit, he must of had some sense I was in trouble. My friend said he came running inside repeatedly just a barking and running back out to the dock. My friend asked him if he wanted to go find "Chris" (me) and he'd bark like crazy. They loaded up in the boat and when I saw them, my Minpin was standing on the bow of the boat staring straight ahead. When he saw me in the water and started barking, I yelled his name. He jumped from the bow of the moving boat right in the water. The height of the jump and fall propelled him under the water, my friend swerved the boat to avoid hitting him & that little head popped up out of the water, my Minpin swimming with all he had to get to me. I thought, "What a dog!" He would have run in front of a freight train for me.

As far as "MinPin" being an insult in Germany, WHO CARES? Insults, generally, do vary country to country, and are "cultural things"-- just travel & see how customs and insults vary. Sometimes, an insult (word or action) in one place is a compliment in another. The term, "MinPin" is not an insult for the dog here in the U.S.-- I use it because it is easier to type than Miniature Pinscher.

That is an AMAZING story. I just love it!!!

And I agree, culture is different everywhere you go...and in the U.S. calling a Miniature Pinscher a Min Pin is like calling my friend Alexis, "Lexy"...its a nickname...

[chickprincess]

My friend has a black mini pinscher. Now she wants to sell it because she can't handle the uncontrollable barks of her dog. She bought it because he was so cute when he was still a puppy. A very hyper dog.

[pinsnpugs]

Thats where taking time to research a breed pays off!
I always inform my puppy inquirers of all of the breed characteristics, even the not so good or annoying ones, lol. Which, includes barking. They are very alert and aware dogs, also good watch dogs and are willing to alert you to anything from a passing cat to a car in the drive.

[Yogi]

Just as a point of reference. I was asked the other day regarding the term "crop" and "cropping" as to what it meant. First to note, you do not crop a tail.
The term for this is "dock" or "docking". Crop or cropping is the term to describe what is done to the ears. In Miniature Pinschers, the MPCA and AKC no longer require ears to be cropped and has not for some time. I am always leery when I see ads for Miniature Pinschers noting their ears and tails have been "cropped" as this tells me these individuals are not very knowledgeable. In addition, ear crops on Miniature Pinschers is not like those on a Doberman let alone are done at that young age. Miniature Pinscher ear crops are done later at approx 4 to 5 months of age on average as to determine length, bell etc. This is done as at this age body structure ie: length, height etc. is more visible and the crop is designed to enhance and balance with the body. So many breeders I have seen have had them done at 9 to 12 weeks like those done on a Doberman and the pup grows and ends up the crop is far too short and does not balance properly.
In addition, many vets no longer due crops and those that do are not qualified to understand the differences in crops from breed to breed. I told the woman that if she has no intention of showing the dog there is no reason to crop the ears. In time, AKC judges will no longer look down on natural ears and when this occurs, there will no longer be any real reason for this breed unless it is a working breed which there are a few of us who breed for, to need ear crops.
This goes right along with people wanting to breed their "purebread" dogs. I am sorry but if you do not know the correct term and spelling is purebred, one obviously needs to do a lot more homework on the subject before considering.