You wanted a small but athletic looking dog.
I get it.
You didn’t want to mess with a toy breed of one variety or another- nothing that small.
And a Min Pin was perfect…
A full size Doberman looks like the ultimate athlete.
Talk about sleek and athletic.
And that coat almost shimmers.
The perfect look but you want one in miniature.
But now you find yourself with a fat Min Pin.
You what?! How can this happen?
Well, in this article I will do a whistle stop tour of a few likely causes and a few solutions.
But before we cut to the chase, let me fill in a few background details for us…
What is a Min Pin?
Miniature Pinschers, also known as a Min Pins, are a compact breed of dog that has its origins in Germany.
While this breed’s ancestors have yet to be conclusively determined, it is speculated that their lineage is tied to that of the larger German Pinscher, the breed that the Min Pin derives its name from, as well as Dachshunds and Italian Greyhounds.
The first documented instance of the breed is from less than two hundred years ago in 1888, though there are older works that depict dogs of similar form to the Min Pin.
Standing at only twelve inches tall maximum, this compact dog is still packed with energy, giving it the nickname of ‘King of Toys’, with toys in this case being small dogs.
How much should a Min Pin weigh?
As the Min Pin is a rather small dog, the healthy weight for it is quite low.
For adult males of the breed the ideal weight is between eight and eleven pounds, while the female is slightly lighter between seven and eleven pounds.
Both genders sit at about the same height of ten to twelve inches, with their length typically being equal to their height.
Females do tend to be slightly longer than their male counterparts.
Puppies should weigh anywhere between three to eight pounds depending on their growth, with Min Pin’s being considered fully grown after one year.
How much exercise should a Min Pin get?
Nicknamed the ‘King of Toys’ for its energy and demeanor, the Min Pin needs a robust amount of daily exercise.
The recommended amount is between twenty and forty minutes of vigorous exercise to keep a Min Pin healthy.
With how energetic the breed tends to be, they’re liable to get much more.
Min Pins have been known to walk for hours without tiring, leading some owners to forgo the walk and instead take their pet to a dog park to run around and socialize with other dogs.
This serves two purposes, as the exercise keeps the Min Pin physically healthy while the socialization keeps the Min Pin from becoming aggressive toward unfamiliar animals.
How does obesity affect a dog’s health?
Obesity has been found to have a myriad of negative health effects on a variety of animals, and dogs are no exception.
One of the major health problems associated with obesity in dogs is joint pain, as the cartilage within their joints wears out more easily if overweight.
Heart disease and diabetes are also common conditions associated with obesity in dogs, similarly to humans.
Certain types of cancers have also been found to be more prevalent in dogs that are obese.
All these negative side effects to obesity also have the cumulative side effect of shortening a dog’s overall lifespan, with obese dogs typically dying over a year earlier on average than their healthier counterparts would.
How much should a Min Pin eat?
Given that Min Pins are relatively small dogs, the amount of food they need to eat is comparatively minimal.
An adult of the breed should not be eating more than six to seven ounces of dry food daily, or you risk allowing the dog to gain an unhealthy amount of weight.
For puppies the amount of food they receive in ounces should be equal to their current weight in pounds, for example a five-pound Min Pin should get about five ounces of dry food a day.
For younger Min Pins, a diet high in protein will help facilitate the growth and maintenance of their muscles.
Older dogs that have begun to slow should have a reduced fat diet to maintain a healthy weight.
What is the best way to help a dog lose weight?
Losing weight typically isn’t easy, for either humans or dogs, but luckily there are several ways to help reduce your dog’s weight in a healthy manner.
Cutting back on treats, as well as meticulously measuring the amount of food your dog is receiving will help greatly in reducing the weight of your pet.
If your dog is often sedentary, then increasing the amount of exercise they get is another great way to manage their weight.
If you are doing both things, then your dog may be suffering from an underlying health condition such as hypothyroidism, so make sure to check with your vet if you find that your dog isn’t losing weight with diet and exercise.
Overall, the best way to help your dog lose weight is through hard work.
What are some of the healthiest human foods to feed a Min Pin?
With its high protein content, peanut butter is one of the best human foods you can feed to your Min Pin, as the breed needs high protein during the transition from puppy to adult.
Peanut butter also contains vitamins B and E, further increasing the health benefits. Honey is another good treat to give to your dog, as it is bursting with nutrients ranging from vitamins A, B, K and E as well as magnesium and calcium.
A secondary effect of honey is that it can help with allergy management by exposing your dog to pollen, though this is most effective with locally sourced honey.
What are the human foods that a Min Pin should avoid?
When it comes to keeping human food away from dogs, chocolate is one of the first foods that comes to mind.
Chocolate is highly toxic to dogs due to a series of compounds known as methylxanthines which block the dog’s metabolic processes.
Thus, eating chocolate can cause vomiting, seizures, and even death depending on how much was eaten.
Other highly toxic foods include garlic, macadamia nuts, onions, coffee products, as well as avocado.
Almonds aren’t toxic but are too large to be safely consumed by dogs, often blocking, or tearing the esophagus.
While it might seem fun to give your dog some of your food, be extra careful if you decide to do so.
Conclusion
Min Pins are energetic little dogs that aren’t meant for the faint of heart or easily exhausted.
While they aren’t particularly high maintenance when it comes to grooming or special dietary needs, the amount of bundled energy packed into this lean little dog can be enough to overwhelm those inexperienced with owning dogs.
Their regal appearance and origin have lent them a rather fitting nickname though as the ‘King of Toys’.
If you and your family are super active and able to handle a dog like this, then a Min Pin might be a great addition to your family.
